New-York tribune., 1901-03-07
A NEW OCCUPATION.
THE RANKS OF PIANO TUNERS INVADED
BY WOMEN-THEIR FITNESS
FOB THE WORK.

Among the industrial activities recently invaded
by women is that OF piano tuning, and results are
growing that they are well adapted 10 the work
as men II is claimed by some tuners indeed thar
q woman mas an advantage, because il IS usually
the housewife who decides who SHAH keen the rtano
N repair and that judicious friendliness and chat
with reasonable amount Of tact from the tuner
viii win her client for her friend and steady patron
Alihough II is an innovation for women 10 enter
this business" said a man who had launched sew
era women tuners, Il have found that they become
quite as proficient men. The work IS not adapted
70 a nervous person, listening the tone waves
while the tuning is in progress IS exhausting
ANY one who has had piano tuned will recall that
me tuner, whether man OF woman must have the
room empty before beginning. and II requires ner-
Fous tension and concentration TO do the well;
Dut any woman who has calm nerves and good
health will find the work easy and profitable
Men as a rule pick up the business while work
ing IN plano factories where they see and hear the
tuner chipping piano. it is termed Chip
ping consists Of picking al the strings Of piano
winch has just been put together, and tightening
them Up before sending il out Of the factory OF
course. it is tuned thoroughly later From watch
ing and initiating these tuners other tuners start
out as qualified
Ihe course OF instruction includes a thorough
knowledge Of the construction Of the instrument
aha 10 this end the piano is taken 10 pieces and
put together under the supervision Of the teacher
-
WHICH Is one Of the profitable portions OF the
Nork Any part cf a piano can be obtained from
ae factory, and when one understands how to put
Il n she can take fun charge Of a piano from
euilhg 70 repairing. In learning 10 tune The pupil
stsrts from what IS known as middle c. and after
.u'Hhg that octave the rest Of the piano is tuned
Necessary
MAKING A SUCCESS OF TIE WORK
me best way for a woman TO work ND a trade
io' her 10 90 70 some nearby village carving
~ t1ilhg Kit in hand satchel This .kit costs
L D-' 60 On her arrival she should 90 TO each
hsaN o-se aho send IN her card with her name and
1sless on IL Tuners do not meet with the re-
IS S 'Hat DooH agents encounter. The business IS
~ ~1'eu on the card. and if there is a piano that
80 luning the mistress Of the house is at once
-u' Inc tuner can usually effect an ar
eeineht TO call periodically and keep the piano
rD 80 80 ss Il Is termed, that is, thoroughly tuned
- =" 40 keep piano in perfect condition It should
80. e--ea every three months. but those who cannot
u Oiu uAls will arrange for every six months or
- scA year. The first customer VIII usually
,h H'e tuner the names OF some Of her friends
voos may want their pianos tuned and thus
tp,e cue ue Is worked up in that village and the
:. "'l thereafter make the rounds Of her pianos
ons SJv intervals Proceeding in this manner &,
eIiiase after another the tInpr praii',a ~
who I9hg llst OF customers one OF nv n1lnils
Is ais business and another in Albany. 4 Y Who
work WITH bGselan has added tuning TO her previous
& To s5 81 ices paid for tuning piano range from
plano $50 1 ne average tuner gets 81 for each
WORK Silo O -FOUR pianos constitute good DAVIS
piano T Tae hCur and half Is required for earh
mate ~ .Sc pianos a day would be a small esti-
d weel l'4u @ ~ mat rate the tuner would make s54
dentsli1, esloe from repairing. which comes fnci-
for popoer me- q OF work But few of the occupations
outlay 49, zero such immediate results for a small
eOperiss - Dy Keeping a record OF her DianCs and
doing her me ground systematically, as well as
can bpi5 Mork conscientiously the woman tuner
supnortiiSS Up business which VIII render her seI,
ing The si and AFFORD her independence regard
occunse,o1ls lsposal OF her time which only a few
would enable her 10 enjoy"