What led you to become a piano tuner and technician?
My father was a piano tuner/technician and I used to help him repair pianos from the age of about 11 years old. When he retired ten years later I took over the business, and that was thirty years ago now.
How long have you worked for Yamaha Music London? What does your job involve?
I have worked at Yamaha Music London for over eight years now. My duties include tuning, repairing and maintaining pianos in the store, and also in clients’ homes, schools, theatres, and many other places.
What’s the main piece of advice that you give to people to help look after their pianos?
I recommend that people should tune their pianos regularly, preferably every six months but definitely not left longer than a year without tuning. That way we can maintain the piano properly and also check that the piano is in the correct environment. For example in some circumstances pianos can be damaged if kept in a too damp or a too dry environment. We can give advice in this regard before the damage gets too serious if we see the piano regularly.
Who are your favourite composers and musicians?
My favourite composers are Bach and Mozart. You can't beat the depth and complexity of Bach, and the joy and craftsmanship of Mozart.
What’s your favourite piano and why?
My favourite piano is the Yamaha S7X grand. I love this piano because it has a very direct, penetrating tone that I also find really beautiful, and the touch is very responsive.
What do you most enjoy about your role with Yamaha Music London?
I like working for Yamaha Music London because the pianos are the best in the industry and the company are very fair and professional towards their clients and staff.
What has been the highlight so far?
There have been many highlights, so it would be difficult to choose just one. I have tuned for many interesting musicians and have worked on many great pianos in some interesting places during my time with Yamaha. My colleagues are really nice and a pleasure to work with too.
