• Author / Uploaded
• AleksandraMladenović

Citation preview

Piano Tuning & Repair Developed by Francis Chilcoat ([email protected]) Piano tuning is a vocational class that Introduces students to the trade of piano tuning. Students learn tuning of upright, grand and spinet pianos. Training takes place in the "Piano Shop" at the West Virginia School for the Blind. Students use braille, large print books, audio/video tapes and receive lectures on the latest information related to piano tuning. Students also tune pianos on campus to acquire experience. Development in the course depends on the students ability to work with his/her given limitations i. e. low vision or total blindness. Motility and motor skill development is an important consideration when gaining skills in the art of tuning. This course could run for a full 8 semesters to prepare a student for further training at one of the many piano tuning school located in private and university settings. The preferred post high school setting for a blind student would be the Emil Fries Piano Hospital in Vancouver Washington. Standard 1: Identify, explore and evaluate career opportunities related to piano tuning. (2191.S.1) Career Opportunities Related to Piano Tuning. Students will 2191.1.1 2191.1.2 2191.1.3 2191.1.4 2191.1.5

Describe a variety of careers related to piano tuning and repair and the training necessary to be successful in those careers. Develop appropriate attitudes and behaviors required to succeed in careers in the field of piano tuning and repair. Identify source information about careers in piano tuning and repair. List professional organizations in the field of piano tuning. List wholesale suppliers to the trade of piano tuning and repair.

Standard 2: Demonstrate knowledge of basic safety rules and equipment as it relates to piano tuning and repair. (2191.S.2) Basic safety rules and equipment objectives Students will 2191.2.1 2191.2.2 2191.2.3 2191.2.4 2191.2.5

Recognize and follow general shop and safety guidelines Select and wear appropriate protective equipment Demonstrate the proper selection and use of fire extinguishers. Identify and demonstrate proper use and care of all basic personal safety equipment. Describe safety precautions necessary when using hazardous materials

Standard 3: Demonstrate knowledge of piano keyboard, intervals and equal beating tests (2191S.3) Piano Tuning Objectives Students will: 2191.3.1 2191.3.2 2191.3.3 2191.3.4 2191.3.5

Name keys Explain keyboard interval conventions Identify and use interval abbreviations Use intervals by ratio and coincident partial pairs Describe Beats

Francis Chilcoat © 2004-2005 1

[email protected]

2191.3.6 2191.3.7 2191.3.8 2191.3.9 2191.3.10 2191.3.11 2191.3.12 2191.3.13 2191.3.14 2191.3.15 2191.3.16 2191.3.17 2191.3.18 2191.3.19 2191.3.20 2191.3.21 2191.3.22 2191.3.23 2191.3.24 2191.3.25 2191.3.26 2191.3.27 2191.3.28 2191.3.29 2191.3.30 2191.3.31 2191.3.32 2191.3.33 2191.3.34 2191.3.35 2191.3.36 2191.3.37 2191.3.38 2191.3.39

Determine tuning pin layouts for the upright (tactually) Determine tuning pin layout for the Grand piano (tactually) Follow an equal temperament formula Demonstrate muting techniques Demonstrate knowledge of tuning hammer and adaptations Report on and demonstrate knowledge of pitch raising procedures Demonstrate the proper use of the tuning fork Employ string and pin setting technique (test strike) Tune stable unisons Use good tuning hammer sensitivity (technique) Have a good concept of tuning stability in string setting Hear and identify and locate harmonic partials Focus on beat-rates of coincident partials Use tests related to pitch setting within tolerance of A=440 bps Tune pure 2:1 octaves in the bass, midrange and treble Tune pure 4:2 octaves in the bass, midrange and treble Tune pure 6:3 octaves in the bass, midrange and treble Tune just fifths and fourths within an octave Set a temperament of fifths and fourths using appropriate tests Count and tune beats to specific beat rates Tune 4:1 double octaves Tune contiguous thirds Tune a temperament of thirds and fifths with appropriate tests Employ parallel interval tests M 10ths, M17ths and M21s Tune 8:4 and 10:5 octaves in the low bass Refine the midrange with contiguous P5/P4 comparison tests Tune octave 5 and 6 (treble) using the M3-M10-M17 tests Employ the M6-M17 test in octaves 5 and 6 Tune the top octave C7-C8 (high treble) Employ contiguous thirds to start a temperament Refine bass tuning in AO-C3 Participate on a prototype master tuning session (pre RPT exam) Tune a piano (supervised) Tune pianos (unsupervised) as assigned

Standard 4: Apply Vertical Piano Action Regulation Concepts. (2191.S.4) Vertical Action Regulation Objectives Students will: 2191.4.1 Identify Parts of the Upright piano 2191.4.2 Explain the function of upright action parts 2191.4.3 Select proper regulation tools 2191.4.4 Perform preliminary alignment of the action in the vertical piano 2191.4.5 Tighten action screws 2191.4.6 Travel hammers to the strings 2191.4.7 Position dampers to the strings 2191.4.8 Perform preliminary alignment of keys, whippens and wires 2191.4.9 Properly square keys 2191.4.10 Accurately align back checks to whippens 2191.4.11 Identify and inspect rail cloth 2191.4.12 Adjust key spacing 2191.4.13 Choose hammer blow and key dip settings

Francis Chilcoat © 2004-2005 2

[email protected]

2191.4.14 2191.4.15 2191.4.16 2191.4.17 2191.4.18 2191.4.19 2191.4.20 2191.4.21 2191.4.22 2191.4.23 2191.4.24 2191.4.25 2191.4.26 2191.4.27 2191.4.28

Adjust lost motion Accurately level keys Adjust key dip settings Set let off adjustments Adjust back check distance Set sharp key dip Regulate dampers Align and regulate damper pedal lift Adjust damper spoons Accurately position bridle wires Set soft pedal motion Employ the use of touch weights Troubleshoot action problems, bobbling hammers Troubleshoot action problems, sticking keys Regulate an upright action model, pre RPT exam

Standard 5: Repair of upright and grand pianos. (2191.S.5) Piano Repair Objectives Students will: 2191.5.1 2191.5.2 2191.5.3 2191.5.4 2191.5.5 2191.5.6 2191.5.7 2191.5.8 2191.5.9 2191.5.10 2191.5.11 2191.5.12 2191.5.13 2191.5.14 2191.5.15 2191.5.16 2191.5.17 2191.5.18 2191.5.19 2191.5.20 2191.5.21 2191.5.22 2191.5.23 2191.5.24 2191.5.25 2191.5.26 2191.5.27 2191.5.28 2191.5.29 2191.5.30 2191.5.31 2191.5.32

Demonstrate the use and care of piano technicians tools. Demonstrate the care and use of measuring gages. Identify and employ the use of piano action cloth Identify and use proper lubricants Re-bush upright and grand piano flanges Measure center pins Re-bush keys Make repairs of the piano key Replace vertical hammer shanks Replace and align hammer heads in the treble Replace and align hammer heads in the bass Replace upright damper felt in the treble Replace upright bass damper felt Replace grand damper felt in the treble Replace grand damper felt in the bass Replace action springs Replace pedal springs Replace wheels Use piano tilt dolly Make tuning pin string coils Measure tuning pins Use piano pin-block support jacks Drive and level tuning pins Measure plain piano wire Replace individual strings in the treble Replace individual strings with a hitch pin loop Measure bass strings Replace individual bass strings Replace plain wire string sets Replace bass string sets Splice bass and treble strings File and shape hammers

Francis Chilcoat © 2004-2005 3

[email protected]

2191.5.33 2191.5.34 2191.5.35 2191.5.36 2191.5.37 2191.5.38 2191.5.39 2191.5.40 2191.5.41 2191.5.42 2191.5.43 2191.5.44

Voice hammers Repair stripped screw holes Clean piano sound board Clean and lubricate piano bridges Evaluate the condition of a piano plate Evaluate the condition of a piano pin block Evaluate the condition of a piano soundboard Shim cracks of the piano soundboard Evaluate the condition of piano bass and treble bridges Measure down bearing Lubricate bridge bearing surfaces Repair damaged bridge pins holes

Standard 6: Piano Design and Construction (2191.S.6) Piano Design and Construction Objectives Students will: 2191.6.1 2191.6.2 2191.6.3

Describe and report on piano development, key inventions and historic innovators of the piano. Report on the construction techniques used to manufacture pianos. Report on the benefits and advantages and techniques of humidity control for pianos

Standard 7: Grand piano action regulation (2191.S.7) Grand piano action regulation objectives Students will: 2191.7.1 2191.7.2 2191.7.3 2191.7.4 2191.7.5 2191.7.6 2191.7.7 2191.7.8 2191.7.9 2191.7.10 2191.7.11 2191.7.12 2191.7.13 2191.7.14 2191.7.15 2191.7.16 2191.7.17 2191.7.18 2191.7.19 2191.7.20 2191.7.21 2191.7.22 2191.7.23

Bed a keyframe Properly position the keyframe Travel hammers Angle hammers Space hammers Check and level piano strings to hammer faces Properly square keys Accurately space keys Correctly level keys to specified key height Accurately center jacks Correctly space whippens Align backchecks to hammer tails Choose and set hammer blow distance Choose and set key dip settings of the white keys Obtain proper aftertouch Understand and adjust let off Understand and adjust drop Adjust jack position Adjust repetition lever height Adjust hammer blow distance and sharp key dip Adjust back check angle and distance Adjust repetition springs Understand the operation of the grand damper system

Francis Chilcoat © 2004-2005 4

[email protected]

2191.7.24 2191.7.25 2191.7.26 2191.7.27 2191.7.28 2191.7.29 2191.7.30 2191.7.31 2191.7.32 2191.7.33

Correct sluggish dampers Adjust grand dampers for even lift from the key Adjust grand dampers for even lift from the pedal Employ a grand damper leveling jig Adjust the grand damper stop rail Adjust the grand damper sustain pedal Adjust the grand action shift pedal Adjust the sostenuto pedal Position the hammer rail Position the key stop rail

Francis Chilcoat © 2004-2005 5

[email protected]

Books and materials Piano Servicing, Tuning, & Rebuilding For The Professional The Student The Hobbyist By Arthur A. Reblitz ISBN 0-911572-12-0 PTG Piano Action Handbook Compiled by Merle H. Mason Embossed in one volume By permission of the Publishers The Piano Technicians Guild, Inc. Braille edition American Printing House for the Blind Grand and spinet Pianos By Edward H. Menke Large Print and Braille American Printing House For the Blind Louisville, Kentucky 00212-01 Piano Tuning and allied Arts William Braid White Large Print and Braille American Printing House For the Blind Louisville Kentucky A Guide to Restringing John W. Travis Library of Congress catalog card # 61-9870 The Book of the Piano Edited by Dominic Gill Cornell University Press Ithica, New York ISBN 0-8014-1399-0 Piano and their Makers Alfred Dolge Dover Publications, Inc. New York ISBN 0-486-22856-8 Pierce Piano Atlas Library of Congress catalog # 65-25465 ISBN 0-911138-02-1 The Piano Its Acoustics By W. V. McFerrin Tuners Supply Company Wakefield Item Press Wakefield, Mass

Francis Chilcoat © 2004-2005 6

[email protected]

Francis Chilcoat © 2004-2005 7

[email protected]

The Tuning of my Harpsichord By Herbert Anton Kellner Copyright By Verlag Das Musikinstrument Klueberstrasse 9, D-6000 Frankfort / Main Redaction: H. K. Herzog, Kostanz ISBN 3 920112 78 4 Piano Tuning (How to set a temperament and tune the extremities of a piano. A text in chapters with exercises and questions) By Francis Chilcoat Piano Tuning Instructor West Virginia School for the Blind 301 East Main Street Romney, West Virginia [email protected] The Technical Examination A Source Book Copyright 1993 The Piano Technicians Guild 3930 Washington Kansas City, Mo 64111-2963 WWW.pianotechciniansguild.com The Tuning Examination A Source Book Copyright 1993 The Piano Technicians Guild 3930 Washington Kansas City, Mo 64111-2963 WWW.pianotechciniansguild.com American Piano Supply Co. Box 1055, Clifton, N.J. 07014 www.americanpianosupply.com Schaffe Piano Supply Company 320 Cliborne Ave Chicage Ill. 606212 WWW.Schaffepiano.com

Francis Chilcoat © 2004-2005 8

[email protected]