Piano Pedagogy Classes

[Newton Hunt]

> Dear Dianne, Greg, David, Paul, Wally and Craig.
> 
> Since So many asked for a copy of my Pedagogy class notes I thought I
> would
> post them to everyone.
> 
> The following material is intended for a 40 minute class and is not
> intended
> to be anything other than a quick coverage of material all pianists
> should but
> rarely know.
> 
> First, I have a hand out which is a 11" x 14" copy of the drawing of a
> cut
> away piano from Steinway on one side and copies of the following on the
> reverse side.  This is partly informative and partly self defense in
> respect
> to the Piano Scroll
> 
> Second I have an upright and a grand action model that I can use to
> point out
> the parts and their functions.
> 
> Third I have the book "THE PIANO" by Philip Gurlik, RPT in Houston for
> the
> students to purchase.  It would be best if it were required reading
> before
> the class.
> 
> Thirdly leave enough time to answer questions by the students or cover a
> subject suggested by the pedagogy instructor.
> 
> Feel free to use this material in whole or in part and certainly feel
> free to
> modify portion to suit you particular needs.
> 
>      Newton J. Hunt
>      nhunt@jagat.com
>      New Brunswick, NJ
> 
>                            A Few Definitions
> 
> Regulation is a mechanical procedure to establish the optimum
> performance of a
> piano action.  Silence, repetition, power, dynamic range and evenness
> are
> primary concerns.
> 
> Voicing is the process of modifying the tone, power, sustain and
> dynamics of
> piano hammers through softening and hardening the felt.  "If I take a
> piano
> with a softer voice - one that's born on a smaller scale, lovely for a
> smaller
> hall or for chamber music - and if I force that piano and build it up to
> make
> the tone more brilliant, there comes a level where the piano would fight
> back!
> That is the tone becomes ugly, glassy, very harsh, unacceptable...the
> tone
> breaks."  Franz Mohr, senior concert technician Steinway & Sons, Piano
> Quarterly Fall 1991, p22.
> 
> Tuning "We must deal with our ears' hearing and our brain's processing
> and our
> arms and hands; making changes in what is really a very complicated
> scheme of
> adjusting a large number of strings to very exacting standards of
> accuracy."
> Ben McKlveen, Cincinnati piano technician, Piano Technicians Journal
> 2/92 p22.
> 
> Rebuilding is the process of replacing all perishable parts necessary to
> provide an as new piano with all parts having an equivalent life
> expectancy.
> 
> Restoration is the preparation of existing parts, only replacing
> unusable
> parts, to afford best possible performance.
> 
>                         The Piano Scroll
> 
> Thou shalt suffer this epistle to remain properly posted.
> 
> Thou shalt treat any piano as thou wouldst have thine own tapes,
> records and CDs treated.
> 
> Thou shalt place thy gum under thine own chin before under a piano
> or bench.
> 
> Thou shalt advise The Technician IMMEDIATELY of any problems.
> Such as broken strings, keys, hammers, benches or mistreatment.
> 
> Thou shalt not attempt repairs thyself, but pray help from
> The Technician.
> 
> Thou shalt not take any case parts, or broken parts away from any
> piano.  Place such offerings where The Technician can find them easily.
> 
> Thou shalt NEVER put anything into any piano without first receiving
> safety instructions from The Technician. No stickers or prepared piano
> without first being prepared.
> 
> Thy sinful indulgences of drink, food, smoke or frustration may not be
> visited upon any part of any piano at any time.  If you cannot undo it
> then
> do not do it.
> 
> ALL thy possessions, except thine own fingers and music in use, belong
> OFF ALL the pianos all the time.
> 
> Thou shalt not use teaching pianos for practicing, practice pianos for
> teaching nor performance pianos ever.
> 
> Thou shalt honor The Technician with obeisance and cheerful
> greetings to keep him wholly.
> 
> Speak to The Technician If you have any piano problem, question or
> curiosity.  Careful, he is known to bite on the Tuesday before a full
> moon.
> 
> The Technician, Newton Hunt, can be reached at 932-6686.  The
> Keyboard Cubby (shop and office) is in Nicholas Music Center
> #030N.
> 
> The pink prayer sheets are hung in the OMB mailroom, left wall.
> 
>               Areas of Concern When Buying A Piano
>                      Get a Piano Technician!
> 
> Make             Braces           Bass strings      Wippens
> Model            Trapwork         Tuning pins       Flanges
> Serial           Ribs             Key tops          Backchecks
> Case wood        Rim              Key bushings      Dampers, timing
> Finish           Crown            Key felts, frame  Damper guide bush.
> Lid or top       Soundboard       Key pins end felt Regulation
> Fall board       Bridges          Action rails      Hardware
> Music desk       Bearing          Hammers           Pitch and tuning
> Legs             Plate            Shanks            Voicing
> Casters          Pinblock         Knuckles          Bench
> Lyre and pedals  Treble strings   Butts
> General
> 
>                               Discussion Notes
> 
> A brief history of the evaluation of the piano
> 
> Difference between 18th, 19th and 20th Century pianos
> 
> Body Parts, Wippens ,Butts, Jack and let-off,
> Hammers, Dampers, Keys, Strings, Case Finishes
> 
> Stage Defense:
> 1.   Get there early!
> 1.   Learn your instrument and its language.
> 2.   Learn string removal
> 3.   Test before the tuner leaves
> 4.   Check the pedals
> 5.   Be nice to the technician
> 
> How to select a piano
> How to select a tuner
> How to ruin a piano
> How to ruin a tuner