Unexpected Discoveries: Finding Dog Food Under the Keys of a Client's Piano
In the world of piano tuning and maintenance, one encounters a multitude of surprises. From antique treasures hidden in old instruments to mysterious sounds that defy explanation, each day brings something new. However, few experiences rival the perplexing discovery I recently encountered while servicing a client's piano—a cache of dog food nestled beneath the keys.
Picture this: a quaint suburban home with a slightly aged but good condition upright piano, positioned in a sunlit corner of the living room. As a professional piano tuner, I often find myself in such homes, entrusted with the task of ensuring these musical instruments sing with clarity and harmony. Little did I know that this routine appointment would unveil an unexpected twist.
The appointment began fairly straightforward. I asked the client about when the piano was last serviced, performed my preliminary run of playing chromatically up the keys and then began taking off case part. The whole time I kept detecting the scent of what seemed to be dog food nearby. I wasn’t completely surprised by this since I was greeted by a furry friend when I first arrived at the home. I had noticed that some of the keys on the treble end felt slightly spongy. After removing enough case parts to lift up several keys in this section I was confronted with my unusual discovery.
As I proceeded to remove more keys, the mystery deepened. It wasn’t only in one small section, it ended up covering more than half of the keyboard! It wasn't just a couple of pieces; it was a significant collection, as if someone had meticulously placed them there one by one. The pieces were dry and surprisingly intact, indicating they had been carefully tucked away for some time. The crazy part was that the owner had been playing the piano and was completely unaware of this treasure trove.
Naturally, this discovery raised numerous questions. Why would someone hide dog food inside a piano? Was it a practical joke, a forgotten snack stash, or perhaps a clever method to deter pests? The piano owner was just as bewildered by the situation. In the end, we both had a good laugh about it and figured that it must have been a mouse at some point that had piece by piece been preparing for the apocalypse.
Reflecting on this experience, it serves as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of my profession. Beyond the technical skills required to tune and maintain pianos, it's also about being prepared for the unexpected. Each piano carries with it a unique history, and sometimes that history includes surprises that defy explanation.
As I left the customer's home that day, I couldn't help but chuckle at the absurdity of finding dog food under the keys of a piano. It's moments like these that make my job not only challenging but endlessly fascinating. Who knows what I'll uncover next in the world of piano tuning? One thing's for certain—each appointment brings with it the potential for a story that will be retold with bemusement and wonder for years to come.
