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
of the readers of THE KE-
M OST
VIEW have a practical acquaint-
ance with the diagram herewith pre-
sented.
Recently one of my former students
The trouble often happens when the
action is returned to rest.
Thoughtlessly, more so than not, one
does not (1) look at the bridels before
the action is taken out, to repair per-
railed me on the long-distance tele-
phone for the answer to a question
which fits in with our diagram.
Although we have reviewed the
whole situation many times in respect
to what might happen when the up-
right action is removed and replaced,
not all of us are blessed with the pow-
er of retention.
Hence the diagram will help those
unfamiliar with minor repairs.
The main question boiled down is
how and what to do when the ham-
mers stay up against the strings, and
cannot be released.
chance a butt flange. (2) Without fur-
ther thought, the action is seemingly
put back only to find about half a
dozen bridles have given way (being
so old). Consequently (and if you will
give close attention to the diagram), the
extension guides have given way. having
nothing to hold them in position. (H)
What is the result—and a practical
answer to the question? (a) Whenever
you work on an old piano, let us say
an upright, first examine the straps,
since they may have been on for
years and never renewed, (b) Examine
closely because when lifting the ac-
THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW, MARCH, 1954
tion out. the weight of the whippens
and exterior guides allow some straps
to fall (Note: the whippens marked
"X" are those to watch out for. (c)
Before placing the action in its place,
remove all the keys, then you have
clear sailing, no worry that the ham-
mers will not return to normal.
Note 2. It is always an excellent
plan after the action is in place to test
one key at a time to see that they are
where they belong, or start at treble
end and if you have not renewed the
straps, then be sure that you release
each jack under the butt for proper
functioning.
Another fault in returning the action
(note the long black marks on the
extension guide indicates where they
break off) when the jack is caught un-
der the hammer butt. This can be
avoided with caution.
Once the jack is jammed under the
butt, with the action, if tilted towards
you it can be released.
Of course, if hammers block, i.e..
will not return after striking the
strings, do not attribute this tendency
to what has just been said. The other
side of the picture narrows down to
knowing and understanding the whys
and wherefores of the action move-
ment.
The principle involved is to try to
retain what you have learned, practice
it. diligently, then you will find that
action regulating involves the idea of
touch and tone. Its practice is touch
and *'eye", not beats, when you listen
by using the "ear".
Try retaining a few principles of
action regulating.
Wildemuth Dogs Win Again
Henry Wildemuth of Toledo. Ohio.
piano merchant and dog fancier, en-
tered his dogs in the National Kennel
Association's show at Madison Square
Garden in New York City last month,
his dog's winning the second prize in
their class.
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