Category: Vancouver Piano Tuner

Full Service Piano Tuning




           Full Service Piano Tuning
           by Jack Houweling


A full service is more than just tuning. With more than 7500 parts just in the action alone, a qualified technician can easily understand the piano and do what is necessary to bring the piano to a maximum playing condition.
The list below is a sample of what a technician can go through very efficiently in a full service appointment making necessary adjustments and refinements.
First I will remove case parts then play every key, inspect bridge, strings, soundboard and pedals and so on, meanwhile keeping mental notes or mark with chalk anything that needs attention.
Then I start with first tuning and make a plan of what I can do nest to better improve the piano.
This is just a rough guide but an experience technician can assess a piano very quickly and make the best changes to your piano to improve it, giving you most bang for your buck.
Depending on each piano and condition 1 ½ -2 hrs.  will bring your piano to a higher level of performance.
Pianos need regular maintenance and tuning alone will not be enough. Make sure to ask
your technician for a full service,  tell him any concerns you may have. 
            



                        FULL SERVICE PIANO TUNING
                                        Checklist
                                                                             T
ust pedals                                            titg
Inspection, test keys-touch and tone
Pitch correction or first tuning
Clean, lube
Minor repairs, regulation, voicing
Fine concert tuning

                  

Piano Killer Octave


What is the “Killer Octave”?
 It is the area around the fifth and sixth octave, usually F5 to F6. This is the area where the tone is weak and has short or no sustain. This is a problem in certain pianos due to original design, such as soundboard thickness, strike point, string scale and position of bridge. Although redesign is costly many improvements can be made to the piano.
Most pianists want control over volume and tone, to be able to play soft “softs” and loud “LOUDS”
It is important to have power and sustain across the keyboard, also to be able to blend  tenor and bass, and capable of playing soft and loud without distortion. A well designed piano should have a broad dynamic spectrum of sound and tonal characteristics.

Steinway School


All -Steinway School Definition

The All-Steinway School designation is given to an institution directly by Steinway & Sons.
An inventory analysis must be submitted to Steinway & Sons before approval can be granted.
Requirements to become an All-Steinway School
1. 90% or more of the acoustic pianos owned by an institution must be Steinway & Sons, Boston or Essex pianos.
2. A Steinway approved maintenance program must be in place. It is important to the reputation of the institution as well as to the reputation of Steinway & Sons that all pianos in an All-Steinway School be kept in performance quality condition. If this stipulation is not met, Steinway & Sons reserves the right to remove the All Steinway designation from this institution.
3. Steinway pianos are to be placed in the performance spaces and piano teaching studios and, preferably, in piano major practice rooms.
4. Steinway-designed pianos are to be placed in all other teaching studios, classrooms and practice rooms.
5. Pianos not designed by Steinway & Sons (i.e. historical instruments must be handled with discretion).
6. The institution cannot participate in any loaner programs from another manufacturer.
7. Existing inventory that is to be considered for qualification as an All-Steinway School must be in good condition which will be determined by a Steinway factory representative.
8. All-Steinway Schools are subject to periodic inspection by a Steinway factory representative to be sure that the pianos are being maintained in accordance with Steinway standards. Steinway & Sons may request that an inventory analysis be conducted periodically.
9. An approved number of technicians who service All-Steinway Schools are required to participate in the Steinway & Sons Technical Programs.
10. All-Steinway Schools in the Americas must maintain an inventory of at least 10 pianos.
*Steinway & Sons reserves the right to amend this definition.

How to find a Piano Tuner Technician

How to find a Piano Tuner Technician

In every profession you will come across those who are good, not so good and those who are great. Piano technicians are no different and there are steps one should take in order to find a great piano technician. Many people find someone to service their piano through referrals from friends, reputable piano teachers, piano players or music studios.


A great technician is one who has educated themselves, and continues to do so by attending piano seminars or conventions. He or she should be able to complete any repair and bring the best out of your piano. Understanding the art of tuning and knowing how to create beautiful touch and tone are the goals of any good technician. The customer should be able to feel and hear the difference.


Finding a great technician who is reliable, honest and experienced can be difficult and time consuming but with some research and asking questions you will find the task much easier and rewarding. Some questions to keep in mind while doing your research are how many years of experience do they have, are they able to do all repairs, what are the guarantees and what kind of references do they have.

Remember that a great technician is only as good as the last piano serviced.