Real-Life Communication
Piano repair technicians deal directly with the public. Most often,
they tune pianos right in a customer's home. Because of this, technicians
must be able to explain complex concepts in terms the customer can understand.
"The
best way for the public to understand about pianos and their operation is
to use analogies," says Paul Brown, a registered piano technician. "The best
tuners that I know do this all of the time."
You're a piano repair
technician. You have a new customer who has just bought a new piano.
You
want to explain the importance of proper maintenance, so you hand the customer
a sheet of paper that reads:
"Pianos must be maintained properly to
be in good working condition. They must be tuned frequently to ensure they
stay at concert pitch. All manufacturers suggest that pianos be tuned three
to four times per year in the first year, and once or twice per year after
that. If pianos are in climates where the humidity fluctuates, they should
be tuned more often. Pianos must be completely regulated in the shop and in
the house after moving so that they perform properly."
You explain
to your customer that there are two main reasons why pianos don't stay in
tune. These reasons are, firstly, not enough tuning, and secondly, humidity
(climate) changes.
Your customer is totally confused by the paper and
your brief verbal explanation. He wants a layman's explanation as to what
"tuning" really means, and why humidity is such a factor.
In your own
words, explain what you think is meant by the above two concepts. Do your
research at the library or on the Internet.