Music Trade Review

Issue: 1952 Vol. 111 N. 2

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PRACTICAL PIANO TUNING
By ALEXANDER HART
Formerly with Steinway & Sons Tuning Department, Instructor in
Piano Tuning, Teachers College, Columbia University, N. Y.
Registered Member of the
National Association of Piano Tuners
Notes of Interest on Tuning
HPHE student will again follow the
-•- diagram and note there are three
hampers, one marked "E", the center
one " F " and the one in front marked
A.B.C.D. (Observe the deep cuts on the
felt E, no doubt caused by hitting the
strings over a period of years.
The hammer felt on F is in fine shape
and requires no filing.
The working tools for this kind of
work is a sandpaper file, that is, a
piece of wood covered over with sand-
a good even start and being extra care-
ful not to tear the felt. This can easily
be done if careful. The procedure of
cautiousness can be traced to a good
sound judgment and thereby bringing
all three qualifications into play, i.e.,
the steady hand, the watchful eye, and
caution. Follow the arrows and go slow
and easy.
Suggestions:
THE LONG BLACK LINES REPRESENT
SANDPAPER
FILE — FOLLOW
THE
ARROWS AND NUMBERS.
paper. This can be purchased from the
piano supply companies, neatly made
and reasonable. It doesn't pay to make
them. Dexterity of the hand, a good
eye, count for a great deal plus careful-
ness.
When you start filing the felt, hold
the hammer firm, otherwise you might
break it from the stem.
Commence at "A" and follow the ar-
rows around to "B", then to "C", a
distance a little part from the centre
then return to "D" and start again fil-
ing toward "C".
Remarks:
Hold the hammer file firm and
square, keeping it below "A", getting
THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW, FEBRUARY, 1952
The writer would suggest working on
an old set of hammers first, and get in
a little practice, before attempting to re-
shape a set of high grade hammers,
which may be too much for a beginner.
This in itself is no let-down for any-
one who wishes to practice his profes-
sion as a real craftsman.
Please remember it is easier to write
about action regulating and voicing
than doing it. The same advice applies
to any sensitive mechanical understand-
ing like regulating the mechanism of
an automobile engine.
No novice could or would try to in-
terfere with its intricate parts without
knowing just what it's all about, there-
fore the same honesty of thought should
precede the effort when working on
piano actions.
Keep in mind also, the thousands of
parts that go to make up a reliable ac-
tion to withstand the hard usage it is
subjected to. Try to cultivate the habit
of law and order. Lay out the tools you
are about to use, and give yourself
enough time for the job so that you can
relax and be comfortable. Then you
may not be apt to make mistakes, and
your action regulating will stand out in
fine shape.
Memorise Rules
It may be especially remarked that
the 88 keys constituting measurements
that make the whole requirements of
action regulating, are about the same,
and these primary rules should be mem-
orized as well as practiced.
Not many get by in the study of har-
mony without first knowing and under-
standing the intervals of music. All the
88 keys should be able to repeat nicely
and respond to the player's touch. I
have written of it before that there are
a few manuals on action regulation,
especially one put out by Jesse French
& Sons, Elkhart, Ind. It is truly com-
prehensive, and worthwhile studying.
The diagram that accompanies this ar-
(Turn to Col. 3, Page 30)
29
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1
OBITUARIES |
John Thomas Tanner
John Thomas Tanner, 46, of Stepney,
Conn., vice president of the Cornwall
& Patterson Co., Bridgeport, died on
January 24th. He had been ill one year.
He had been connected with the com-
pany for 30 years.
Services were held on January 26th
in the Dennis and D'Arcy funeral home,
Bridgeport, and in St. Teresa's church,
Long Hill, with a solemn high Mass.
Burial was in Lakeview cemetery,
Bridgeport.
He was a Fourth degree member,
Knights of Columbus and a past grand
knight of St. Teresa's council; a mem-
ber of the Algonquin club, the Trum-
bull Exchange club, Stratfield Men's
Bridge club, and the Republican Town
committee of Trumbull.
Mr. Tanner is survived by his wife,
Gertrude Cornen Tanner; a brother,
James E. Tanner, Sr., and a nephew,
James E. Tanner, Jr., both of Fairfield,
Conn.
Alexander F. Reilly
Alexander F. Reilly, for many years
associated with Birkel-Richardson Co.,
Los Angeles, California, passed away
recently, at the age of 67. He was
stricken with a heart attack.
Mr. Reilly was born in Toronto, Can-
ada ; was a graduate of Toronto Con-
servatory of Music, and for a short time
taught piano and organ in Toronto. He
also played a concert tour in Canada
and the United States, after which he
became associated with Sherman, Clay
& Co.. Stockton, California, and Port-
Carl L. Haddorff
• Carl L. Haddorff, 56, of the Haddorff
Piano Co., Rockford, 111., passed away
at his home January 16. Born in Minne-
apolis August 23, 1895, he was the son
of the late Chas. A. Haddorff. Trained
in the techniques of piano making by
his father, he took over the manage-
ment of the factory upon the passing
of the founder of the business.
He is survived by his widow Violet
and by a brother, Irving, a resident of
Rockford. At the funeral services,
which were private, Dr. Franklin Zentz,
pastor of Court Street Methodist
Church, Rockford, officiated.
WANTED
Coin-operated electric player-pianos.
Mills Virtuosos, Orchestropes and any
self-playing instruments. Also Music Rolls.
Mrs. Genevieve B. Bogart
Mrs. Genevieve B. Bogart, widow of
E. B. Bogart formerly president of the
Bogart Piano Co.. New York passed
away on February 13th in White Plains,
N. Y.
She is survived by two sons John I.
and C. Andrew Bogart and Mrs. Eleanor
B. Merriman. Funeral services were
held at the home of John I. Bogart in
White Plains on February 15th.
TUNING
(Continued from Page 29)
tide is on how to file a set of hammers,
but old man experience must guide the
one doing it and help him judge re-
garding its practicability.
(A) When you draw action out of
the case, let hammer be in the
direction as the drawing indi-
cates.
(B) Don't bear heavily upon the
sandpaper file. Go slow and
easy.
(C) Study the drawing carefully be-
fore you start on No. 1. Don't
hold the file lopsided. It takes
a lot of manufacturing to pre-
pare the piano trade with a fine
set of felt hammers, and but a
few minutes to spoil them.
GRAND LEGS
always in stock with
tcp pieces bored for
metal fittings — all ex-
pertlv sandpapered. Also
furnished with casters,
ferrules and plates on
orders.
[Kiln-Dried Lumber used exclusive-
ly. Write for detals. Best prices
f and immedi te shipment.
Round, Square, Octagon, or spe-
cial designed legs made to order
from your sketch, or sample, for
spinet or upright pianos.
Paragon Woodturnimg Co., Inc.
431 W. 28th St., N. Y. 1, N- Y-
L. KIRSTEIN
32 SOUTH ST.
FREEHOLD, N. J.
QUARTERED HARD MAPLE
35,000 ft. 3/ 8 " # | c o m m o n
& better, dry
WAYNE LUMBER COMPANY
308 Greenpoint Ave., B'klyn 22. N. Y.
The Tuner A)on6>
Preset
The'
land, Oregon. In 1925 he moved to
Los Angeles, and became manager of
the Aeolian Organ department at Bir-
kel Music Co., pioneering in the early
days of radio with his own organ radio
program.
After the consolidation of Birkel-
Richardson Co., Los Angeles, he be-
came manager of their organ depart-
ment where he remained until his sud-
den and untimely death. He was also
one of the best known organists on the
Pacific Coast. Among his survivors are
his wife, Alice Andrews Reilly; and
brother, Robert B. Reilly, Toronto,
Canada.
JOIN
HENRY WICKHAM.
THE
NATIONAL
ASSOCIATION
Faunder
ESTABLISHED 1885
INCORPORATED 1903
REG. U. S. PAT. OFF. o f
PIANO TUNERS
Organized To Maintain The Highest Tech-
nical And Professional Standards In The
Practice Of Piano Service.
Originators of a Nation-Wide System of
Qualified Piano Service Identified by a
Membership Certificate of "REGISTERED
TUNER and REBUILDER of Pianos." This
certificate is issued each year for the pro-
tection of the Tuner and his Clientele.
NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF
PIANO TUNERS
MEMBERSHIP OFFICE:
957 EAST 78th ST., CLEVELAND 3, OHIO
CELEBRATED WICKHAM PLATES.
TUNERS' JOURNAL OFFICE:
430 OGLETHORPE ST., N.W., WASH. 11, D.C.
READ THE TUNERS' JOURNAL
30
THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW, FEBRUARY, 1952

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