Music Trade Review

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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
Problem 10
The Grand Action
Diagrams No. 1 and No. 2 have been
reproduced by permission of Steinway
or some form of liquid around the
working parts usually in wrong places.
Here, studying the diagrams may be
helpful for the dealer.
No matter how T careful one can be,
there is always a possibility of some-
thing being overlooked. This could
happen in any part of the grand piano
action. Should it be around the pedal
assembly and let us say the instrument
is on the concert stage where recitals
are going on, afternoons and evenings,
surely the instrument should receive the
utmost careful inspection, whenever
FIG.
FIG.
LYRE ASSCMBLV
77
FIG.
1
& Sons' reference booklet for piano tun-
ers and technicians engaged in tuning
and regulating Steinway pianos. Dia-
gram No. 3 shows the dowl stick. Please
observe that the grand action has been
removed.
The diagrams have been specially
marked with signs, letters and charac-
ters to denote the procedures of elmina-
tions.
Those who are unacquainted with
mechanical contrivances could easily
and unavoidably resort to squirting oils
24
2
there is a chance to do so. This is just
a reminder for those who must look
after certain instruments that get lots
of transporting from one theatre to an-
other, let it be said in all fairness to the
piano industry in general, that instru-
ments distinctively individual should re-
ceive the best possible cere—to bring
out its tune, tone and action regulation.
Hence, every community today has its
special technicians who can and will do
their best to service fine instruments
with the utmost skill.
After many years of wear and tear
through the constant removing of the
lyre, naturally the connecting lyre plate
(See Diagram No. 2) gets worn, and
can easily be replaced. Note trie four
screws.
Removing the Lyre
(a) It must be noted that all grand
lyres do not have plates. They are held
3
by large screws and reinforced with
wooden props. This particular lyre
marked "77" in the Steinway booklet is
removed without effort.
(b) With your two hands, one on
each side of the lyre, pull outward or
towards you. Then it will drop the
hold on the plate.
(c) Important Note: When replacing
the lyre, be sure you fasten it securely.
Look at Diagram No. 1 and notice the
wooden block marked "Tighten" and
"Loosen".
1. When you want to take the lyre
off, give the block a hit with a
hammer to the left. To tighten,
hammer it to the right.
2. Lots of trouble is caused through
not fastening the lyre as just de-
scribed.
Pedal Squeak
Let us assume there is an unusual
squeak when right pedal is depressed.
(a) In some instances it would be
good practice to remove pedals intact
mounted on the lyre plate.
(b) Lift up pedal rods out of their
sockets.
(c) If there is any corroding on the
pins, it is quite easy to clean them off.
(d) Note the arrows pointing to the
pedal rods that are constantly moving
the levers that have pins in flanges that
hold them in place. Tight pins cause
THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW, MARCH, 1953