May 6, 20232 min
By Kate Redding
The minutes shaved off your tuning time are ideally used for repair, regulation, and communication with your client. These strategies are appropriate for a variety of scenarios including pitch correction, routine tuning, and prep work. Use them to develop a faster tuning style without sacrificing quality.
Use tools that work for you and ditch the ones that don’t:
Temperament strips and mutes that won’t stay in place delay your progress.
To avoid cam outs, choose screwdrivers that fit hardware.
Carry a flashlight and magnetic pick-up to retrieve dropped screws.
Use the tuning lever tip that fits the tuning pin.
Working with the wrong tool is frustrating and time-consuming. Evaluate the quality and condition of the tools you carry in your kit on a regular basis.
Pay attention and relax:
Adopt a comfortable tuning posture.
Dress appropriately for working in hot and cold venues and carry layers of clothing.
Breathe naturally through the nose without holding your breath.
Work with both hands and learn to tune with your non-dominant hand.
Tuning is a physical and mental activity. Remaining relaxed and focused while tuning will help you complete the work in less time.
Eliminate extraneous movements:
Keep the mute moving in the direction of your tuning.
Cut down on the frequency of strikes on a note or string. Move the mute, position your tuning lever, then strike the key.
Tune open unisons.
Don’t skip around. Keep it moving forward and commit to making a second pass.
Whenever possible, take time to evaluate your movements while working. When something isn’t working for you, don’t be afraid to revise your method. Even when something is working, ask yourself if a revision would make it better.
Developing a faster tuning style means finding ways to eliminate drag. Drag impedes progress, action, and advancement. What are some of your favorite methods for completing faster tunings without sacrificing quality?