![]() ![]() He always asks the owners of pianos what kind of music they play. ![]() Some pianists who specialize in, say, Baroque music, have their pianos tuned in one of the historical temperaments, just to be able to hear the music as it would have been performed when it was written. ![]() “The end result is a horrible sounding F-F octave.” So, some intervals are a little wider than “pure” and others a little narrower. The ear simply accepts it.”Ĭole said he has done an interesting demonstration for people by tuning a stack of pure major thirds: F-A, A-C#, C#-F. It’s OK if everything is a little out of tune if it’s done in a consistent manner. The bigger principal at work is consistency. “It’s mathematically impossible to tune every note on a system of fixed notes such that every interval will be perfect or ‘beatless,’” Cole said. Today’s pianos are generally tuned in “equal temperament,” which is to say all the notes are very slightly out of tune, but as a whole, the piano is in tune well enough. A refined sense of touch is also necessary to determine whether the piano is adjusted, or ‘regulated’ as we technicians say.” “Pianos change over time, generally becoming brighter and often harsher. “We can change the tone of a piano by a process called ‘voicing,’” he said. A technician has to be able to judge the tonal qualities of the piano. “Sure, the piano is hard, but not like the violin, which is HARD hard.” “It’s such a different experience,” he said. He says he spends a lot of time practicing the piano these days. But I absolutely think it helps to understand what the pianist needs from the instrument in order to make music.” In fact, I’ve known many fine violin makers who couldn’t play a note on the violin. “I know many fine techs and rebuilders who don’t play at all. “You don’t have to be a pianist to be a piano technician,” Cole said. He earned an undergraduate degree in East Asian studies at Colby College in Maine and went on to complete a master’s degree in violin performance and a doctorate from Florida State University. “And I’ve always liked working with my hands and solving problems,” he said.Ĭole started out as a violinist at the relatively late age of 12 and picked up piano along the way. The corporate or traditional workplace setting, except for academia, never appealed to him. “It seemed like a natural transition, and it presented the opportunity to combine my musical background with running a business and being my own boss.” He’s not sure when and how the decision was made to switch careers. Today, an associate of Barasa’s, he is gradually taking over the business as she transitions into retirement mode. In 2017, he passed the tests of the Piano Technicians Guild to become a registered piano technician. After 30 years, I was ready for a change.”Ĭole started learning piano technology about seven years ago, mentored by Rogue Valley piano tuner and fellow RVS musician Barb Barasa. “It takes so much energy and discipline just to tread water. “I have pretty much put the violin down for good,” the Talent resident said. Now he is enjoying a new career as a piano tuner. #Piano tuner maine professionalScott Cole has traded in one set of strings for another.Ī professional violinist and former concertmaster for the Rogue Valley Symphony, Cole taught at the college level and performed with many orchestras around the country. ![]()
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