Music Trade Review

Issue: 1946 Vol. 105 N. 3

Music Trade Review -- © mbsi.org, arcade-museum.com -- digitized with support from namm.org
FIRST AID IN PIANO REPAIRS
By ALEXANDER
HART
Instructor in Piano Tuning,
Teachers College, Columbia University, New York
Registered Member of the National Association
of Piano
Tuners
EDITOR'S NOTE: Piano Tuners who would like to further
their training are at liberty to consult Mr. Hart, c/o
Music TRADE REVIEW. 1270 Sixth Ave.. New York SO. N.Y.
The Piano Tuner—
What It Means To Be One
One of the first things in the mind
of one who wants to be a mechanic,
is how much is in it for him. We
often hear this statement, "I would
like to take something up as a side-
line."
This same trend of thought fits in
here—as, quite frequently, there is an
ardent desire—for the one who plays
the piano a bit, to take up piano tun-
ing on the side. I do not believe the
tuner's profession can be thoi-oughly
mastered as a side-line.
I do agree that those who play the
piano for a livelihood ought to know
how to take care of it for his own
pleasure, just the same as musicians in
general look after their own instru-
ments.
Unloosening the hairs from
a violin bow, does not give him credit
for repairs. Replacing a broken string
on a violin, a loose peg, or fitting a
new bridge, does not create a master
craftsman for handling delicate resto-
rations often required for certain ex-
pensive instrume»ts, only to be ruined
if not taken care of by those who have
had wide experience in the making of
instruments. What it means to be a
piano tuner—covers a wide range of
brainwork.
Piano Tuner is Underestimated
The word alone, piano tuner, is
underestimated at times and what is
expected of him. If he is not wide
awake, the honest inclination to tackle
a job that should go to the factory,
often hurts his reputation. This state-
ment does not include the factory tuner
who goes from one piano to another,
with a chance to pick up a lot of
information about pianos.
The Parts of a Piano
If one is at all observing, especially
in a piano manufacturing plant, it is
extremely interesting to know about the
material used.
The essentials are wood, felt, metal,
g-lue, etc.
After the selection of materials—
assuming we have a young apprentice
who desires to learn all about the
parts that go into a finely built piano—
the first in order are:
THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW, MARCH, 1946
1. The framework or foundation.
2. The wrest plank or pin-block.
3. The Sound-Board.
4. The wood for the sound-Board.
5. The Sound-Board Bridge.
6. The metal plate.
7. Strings.
8. Steel for the strings.
9. Tempering the strings.
10. Tuning-pins and hitch-pins.
11. Felt for the hammers.
13. How felt is made.
14. Dampers.
15. Demper-felt.
16. Keys.
17. Key-tops.
18. Ebony for black-key tops.
19. Miscellaneous parts.
20. Loud and Soft pedals.
21. Foundations and veneers.
Let us change our direction and
meet the superintendent who must be
a piano maker. One who knows the
original nature of the materials he
uses and also their tendency to change
under variations of temperature.
Reverting for a moment to our orig-
inal caption—-The Piano Tuner and
what it means to be one—will give him
some idea about his own lot, at least,
and how fortunate he should be that he
has no such responsi'bilties. The piano
is made and ready to be tuned. No
putting up a factory, hiring: superin-
tendents—and special craftsmen for
scale designing—appointing dealers to
handle their goods and shouldering all
the burden.
Analyzing the situation it also brings
out many points.
The small piano being made is not
intended for heavy use—or hard con-
stant practicing is often overheard as
an argument—to off-set the well in-
tentioned buyer, for neither animosity
or mere personal attachment should
enter in the minds of these who's busi-
ness it is to be neutral.
ing it with others. If he takes his
profession seriously he can soon build
up a very comfortable livelihood.
If a piano tuner can qualify as an
action regulator or stringing a case
that could be considered well done—
besides gluing on a set of hammers—
evenly, such a man can actually pick
his own work and own time to do it. A
Mechanic that knows his stuff wins the
prize.
We have mentioned what parts are
used in the making of a piano. Now
comes another phase, i.e: putting a
piano together.
If one would take a walk through
the various departments he would be
surprised to find a room but few are
allowed to enter. This is where draw-
ing of the "scale" is done. In this
particular room, is often a superin-
tendent's pet—his pride—a cherished
idea to unfold a scale design that not
only will show up on paper, but an
actuality when the parts purchased are
put together, and assembled according
to plans.
Here is a partial summary of what
the departments are doing.—
Here we find a set of men joining
the frame, gluing on the wrest-plank,
putting on the Sound-Board, attach-
ing the ribs and bridges, fastening
the Bridge, the string bearing on the
Bridge, Height of the bridge, making
the plate, boring holes for the tuning
pins, holes for bridge pins, putting
on the strings, partial casing, putting
in the action, regulafcmg the touch,
tuning, tene-regulating.
We begin to see that it is not all
gold that glitters. . . .and t« tune a
piano is not just pounding ivories and
let it go at that.
To be continued in April.
Suggests Factory Training
Along With Tuning Courses
Tampa 5, Florida
February 11, 1946
Mr. Alexander Hart
Music Trade Review
1270 Sixth Avenue, N. Y. C.
Dear Sir:
I am interested in becoming an in-
dep.endent piano repairman.
I have
had one year's experience in a piano
rebuilding shop, regulating actions and
restringing grand pianos. This partic-
ular shop is so set up that there is no
opportunity for one to become ac-
quainted
with
piano
construction
theory, therefore your series of articles
in the Music Trade Review prompts
Little Capita] Needed to Start
this letter.
A piano tuner starting out for him-
In your opinion, do you thing it
self, need not worry about a large
nossible for one to master the funda-
sinking fund.
The most required ©f
mentals necessary for this work from
him is a basic knowledge built on
readme: alone? If this is possible would
experience, co-ordinating, and shar-
m to Cof. 2, Page 30J
29
Music Trade Review -- © mbsi.org, arcade-museum.com -- digitized with support from namm.org
lishers, died February 27th in his home
in Carlisle, Mass. His age was 80.
Among- the composers whose works
he had published were Bloch, Cadman,
Converse, Copland, Hadley, Hanson,
Loeffler and stoessel. Mr. Birchard
A letter recently received by Chaun-
was a pioneer in the community sing-
cey
D. Bond, president of the National
ing movement and published several
million copies of a collection of com- Piano Manufacturers' Association from
J. B. Bacon, executive director and R.
munity songs.
M. Jones, vocation counsellor of the
Philadelphia Veterans' Advisory Com-
Mrs. Elizabeth Lee White
mittee'
Inc., tells the interest veterans
Mrs. Elizabeth Lee White, mother of
W. Lee White, vice president and have in piano tuning courses as fol-
treasurer of the Aeolian - American lows:
Corp., passed away suddenly at her
"Tlic report of tin- Manpower Training-
home in Brewster, N. Y. on February Committee of the National Piano Man-
ufacturers'
of America re-
28th. Mrs. White was born in Brew- cently came Association
tn our attention.
ster on June 12, 1865. She is sur-
"Numerous veterans visiting- this cen-
vived also by another son, Elbert ter have expressed a keen interest in
following-
the trade of 'piano service-
White.
man'. However, many of them find it im-
Funeral services were held on possible to leave the East to KO to
March 2nd, at the Chadeayne Funeral Cincinnati, Chicago or Tios Angeles for
Home, Stamford, Conn, and interment I he factory course.
our hope that since the writing-
was in the family plot at Longridge of "It the is report
a training course has been
Union Cemetery, Springdale, Conn.
set up in the I'cnnsyl vania-New York
area,
perhaps,
at the Weaver Piano Co.

in York, Pennsylvania. If any move has
Veterans Interested In
Tuning Courses
Clarence C. Birchard
Clarence C. Birchard, founder and
president of C. C. Birchard & Co.,
Boston, Mass., music and textbook pub-
MAN POWER
Experienced Retail
PIANO SALESMANAGER
Open for Position
Many years experience as re-
tail salesmanager of one of
the largest piano houses in
the country and recently re-
leased from
important war
time connection, now desires
to re-enter the piano business
as manager of piano depart-
ment for representative music
merchant or department store.
Best references. Send replies
to Box 196, The Music Trade
Review, Room 510, 1270 Sixth
Avenue, New York 20, N. Y.
POSITION WANTED—Experienced Action
Regulator and Repair Man wishes to make a
connection with a Piano Manufacturer or a
De^!er who is reconditioning pianos. Address
Box No. 12. The Music Trade Review, Room
510, 1270 Sixth Ave., New York 20, N. Y.
EXPERIENCED STORE
MANAGER - SALESMAN
WOULD LIKE TO HEAR FROM A
RELIABLE MUSIC MERCHANT W H O
NEEDS PIANO SALESMAN, MUSIC
DEPARTMENT OR STORE MANAGER
ABLE TO HANDLE ANY SUCH RE-
SPONSIBILITY.
REFERENCES FUR-
NISHED. ANSWER BOX 421, MUSIC
TRADE REVIEW, ROOM 510, "l 2 70
SIXTH AVE., NEW YORK 20, N. Y.
PIANO TUNER AND VOICER—First class ex-
pert to supervise Department. Firm develop-
ing along new engineering lines is prepared
to make advantageous offer to a top man.
Box 512. The Music Trade Review, 1270 Ave-
nue of the Americas, New York 20, N. Y.
30
f Continued
from
Page 291
been made along these lines or if any
plan is anticipated, we would find
you be so kind as to suggest a few such
the information most helpful in guiding-
sources of such information.
veterans."
I have tried to increase my knowl-
Replying to this letter Mr. Bond
edge through the aid of my tuner ac- stated:
quaintances, but their rule of the
"I certainly appreciate your letter of
thumb methods do not gain my con- February
2f>th regarding- our Training
fidence. I have had a slight musical Course.
education, which makes me feel how-
"Fortunately we have our secretary's
office in Philadelphia and I am sending-
vast in the field I am entering.
a copy of this letter to Mr. Harry Rine-
Very truly yours,
hart and I am sure he will get in touch
Robert A. Gross with you promptly regarding' the mat-
ter.
Dear Mr. Gross:-
With your experience to date, your
desire to familiarize yourself in the
art of piano construction theory, in-
volves a long story. Piano construc-
tion would involve a practical work-
ing knowledge of piano scale drawing.
You can find this in an up-to-date trade
school and there are a number of
them scattered over the country.
Among these are the School of Tech-
nology conducted by Win. Braid White
in Chicago and is considered a good one.
The New York Trade School is another
and there are also two schools in Penn-
sylvania, The Harmony School of Pi-
ano Tuning in Harrisburg and the
Rockwell School of Tuning in Clear-*
field. Most of these schools offer factory
opportunities in the areas where they
are situated.
Your musical knowledge, however
slight, is of great importance to you
and factory experience along with your
tuning courses will prove invaluable.
If you ever come to New York I
will be pleased to see you. With best
wishes.
Very truly yours.
Alexander Hart
Technical Editor
"There is a very fine school in New
York—the New York Trade SVhool, .104
West (i7th Street.—and veterans can be
referred to that school, although I un-
derstand they are fully booked up for
this term but that they are attempt-
ing- to increase their teaching- foroe so
as to be able to handle more veterans.
There is also ajiother school that does
not yet have the approval of our com-
mittee but which I understand is very
well conducted and doing- a good job
and has the approval of the Pennsyl-
vania State authorities.
This is the
Kockwell School of Piano Tuning- at
("learlielil. T'eiina.
This isn't too far
fmni Philadelphia and 1 have had some
very enthusiastic reports regarding- the
school from sonic of the students and
prospect i ve student s.
"Personally, 1 feel that a school should
be set up in Philadelphia and I know-
Mr. Uhinchart will discuss this with
you.
I want to thank you for the
compliment paid to the Weaver Piano
Company but we are engaged in pro-
duction work and up to the present time
have not been able to set up a train-
ing school here at the factory, although
we do have a few C. I.'s being" trained
in the factory under the C,. T. Hill of
Rights and as those men come out of the
schools, we fully expect to continue
their training- here at the factory.
"If I can be of any further service to
you. please call on me."
[There is also another tuning school
in Pennsylvania, The Harmony School
of Piano Tuning at 2117 N. Sixth St.,
Harrisburg, Pa. Editors note.]
THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW, MARCH, 1946

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