How to Strip Mute
Inserting temperament strips can take a while at first, but with practice, you'll be able to strip mute the whole piano in under one minute.
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All Articles
- Nov 3
- 5 min
Replacing Broken Agraffes
Replacing broken agraffes can be a tedious job for even the most seasoned technician, but it’s certainly not the most difficult.
85 views
- Oct 20
- 5 min
Confessions of a Misophoniac
All piano technicians can relate to the unique stress of unwanted noises affecting their ability to work efficiently and effectively.
137 views
- Oct 10
- 5 min
Hammer Shaping Methods & Tools
Hammer shaping is an essential part of servicing pianos. This article includes several methods of hammer filing.
137 views
- Sep 23
- 4 min
Do No Harm: Tuning Edition
Adopting practices that set you up for safe piano maintenance will go a long way toward a productive and successful career.
133 views
- Sep 2
- 7 min
Assets & Liabilities: A Shop Story
The key to an effective shop project is understanding where the piano has been and making a plan for where you want it to go.
120 views
- Jul 27
- 2 min
Practical Piano Valuation Book Review
With a skill like piano valuation, technicians can become brokers for any current or future clients who may be in the market for a piano.
95 views
- Jul 19
- 11 min
American Piano Manufacturing
This article will give you a brief history of the American consoles of the past, and a look at what we can expect of them today.
23 views
- Jul 19
- 1 min
Frequently Asked Questions
The answers to these frequently-asked questions come from seasoned technicians. You can trust the experts behind these answers are being...
31 views
- Jul 19
- 8 min
Avenues of Education
There are many roads to piano technology. This article features the experiences of three technicians who chose different paths.
63 views
- Jul 11
- 1 min
Mute Rail Removal
This photo essay teaches you how to remove many different types of mute rails on upright pianos.
19 views
- Jul 11
- 7 min
Making Resilience: Inside the Ronsen Hammer Factory
Ronsen Piano Hammer has been supplying pianos with hammers for generations and is now the only American hammer supplier.
45 views
- May 19
- 7 min
The Value of Condemning Expired Pianos
While talented piano technicians may be able to repair pianos, being the bearer of bad news is not always in their skill set.
155 views
- May 6
- 2 min
Pick Up The Pace: Strategies for Faster Tuning
Use these tuning strategies to develop a faster tuning style without sacrificing quality.
168 views
- Apr 18
- 7 min
Regulating Grand Damper Timing
This article is covers damper theory, the two points of damper timing regulation, and methods of regulation.
191 views
- Mar 28
- 6 min
Tuning Lever Makers & Products
This article features several tuning lever options, along with reviews from people who use them every day.
401 views
- Mar 9
- 7 min
Developing a Piano Service Business
Developing a sustainable business model with a reliable cache of clients takes patience and strategy, a process that can be daunting.
136 views
- Feb 21
- 5 min
A Technician's Photographic Stroll Through the Fazioli Factory
Of all the corners of the piano industry, the factory may be one of the least understood pieces of the puzzle.
157 views
- Feb 9
- 2 min
Field Technician Scripts
Good communication is a difficult aspect of any job, and for the field technician, communication can make or break a career.
187 views
- Jan 31
- 2 min
Milwaukee M12 Drill Review
Installing a grand PLS system may not be the most comfortable job in the world, but having the right tools for the job makes it easier.
102 views
- Jan 17
- 3 min
Do No Harm: Lubrication Edition
There are many lubricants marketed to the piano technology field. Some are safe and helpful, others should be avoided altogether.
221 views
- Dec 14, 2022
- 3 min
Is Hitting The Piano Holding You Back?
A good tuning lever technique is more effective than a test blow.
331 views
- Dec 7, 2022
- 7 min
An Introduction to PianoScope Pro
Pianoscope is a powerful tool that bridges the gap between a technician's aural skills and ETD efficiency.
316 views
- Nov 14, 2022
- 5 min
Key Height Regulation Methods & Tools
There are many techniques that can be used for setting key height during a regulation. This article details the method I have adopted.
253 views
- Oct 27, 2022
- 1 min
Using Shorthand To Track Your Work
Use this shorthand chart for tracking your work through the regulation process.
174 views
- Oct 9, 2022
- 1 min
Upright & Grand Action Worksheets
Learn basic parts terminology with these downloadable action worksheets.
288 views
- Oct 6, 2022
- 5 min
CyberTuner Basics Part 3: How to Use Pitch Raise Mode
The first time you do a large pitch correction can be disorienting. Avoid a lot of frustration by following these steps.
113 views
- Sep 7, 2022
- 2 min
Do No Harm: Case Parts Edition
Here are some top Do No Harm practices for protecting case parts that should become habits in your day-to-day life.
203 views
- Jul 25, 2022
- 2 min
Which Way Do I Turn It: A Cheat Sheet
There is a lot to keep track of when learning how to regulate. Use this cheat sheet to help you remember which way to turn a screw!
152 views
- Jul 11, 2022
- 3 min
Identifying the Sources of Mysterious Clicks
While the hunt for mysterious "clicks" may never end, this article walks you through the most common sources and how to fix them.
141 views
- Jun 16, 2022
- 5 min
CyberTuner Basics Part 2: Understanding Tuning Modes
CyberTuner Basics is a multi-part series on CyberTuner's wide range of uses for both beginner and advanced technicians.
162 views
- Jun 1, 2022
- 1 min
Supply88 Grand Lyre Airbag
Removing a grand pedal lyre can be cumbersome and physically challenging. The Lyre Airbag makes it easy.
59 views
- May 25, 2022
- 4 min
Repinning Action Centers
Every piano technician should be able to size, replace, and repair action centers correctly.
189 views
- May 19, 2022
- 1 min
Soundboard Sweeper
Keep your grand pianos clean in seconds with the Schaff “Sweeper” grand soundboard cleaner.
122 views
- May 14, 2022
- 2 min
Grand Lyre Refresh
Including grand pedal lyre maintenance in your regulation service is a great way to enhance the value of your work.
123 views
- Apr 23, 2022
- 4 min
Cybertuner Basics Part 1: Your First Tuning
CyberTuner Basics is a multi-part series on CyberTuner's wide range of uses for both beginner and advanced technicians.
250 views
- Mar 24, 2022
- 4 min
Simplifying the Secrets of Upright Aftertouch
This article is a fresh approach to understanding aftertouch. Try to throw out what you have been taught so far and read like a novice.
297 views
- Feb 15, 2022
- 2 min
Three Tool-Free Black Key Dip Methods
Black key dip doesn’t have to be a guessing game, and you don’t even need a gauge!
230 views
- Jan 25, 2022
- 1 min
Four Basic DIY Tools
Making your own tools is sometimes a necessary part of piano technology. If this seems overwhelming, start with these simple tools.
298 views
- Jan 17, 2022
- 1 min
Pedal Repair Kit
Organized kits make fast service calls. Put a pedal kit together so you can quickly fix squeaks, thumps, and rattles: I recommend having...
212 views
- Jan 8, 2022
- 2 min
Setting Upright Lost Motion Correctly
Setting upright lost motion isn’t actually about lost motion. It’s about repetition.
196 views
- Oct 1, 2021
- 4 min
Upright Pedal Noise Elimination
Get to the root of the problem instead of slapping a thick lubricant on the issue.
287 views
- Aug 30, 2021
- 2 min
Triage Kit
When the show must go on, sometimes you need a quick stop-gap repair.
187 views
- Aug 11, 2021
- 4 min
Spring Things: The Hidden Helpers
Instrument builders have long understood the utility of springs to store and release mechanical energy. Springs are hidden helpers.
115 views
- Jul 13, 2021
- 2 min
Easy Upright Damper Timing Regulation
Had a frustrating experience with the upright damper spoon bender? Try this method instead.
196 views
- May 23, 2021
- 1 min
Counting Beats with a Metronome
Rather than trying to count beats per second, use a metronome to find the tempo of the beats.
145 views
- May 14, 2021
- 2 min
Fast Muting Tips
Becoming a fast tuner requires some fancy footwork with temperament strips and wedge mutes.
233 views
- Apr 17, 2021
- 1 min
Adjusting the Practice Pedal
On many uprights, the middle pedal is referred to as the “practice pedal.” This pedal lowers the mute rail felt between the hammers and...
87 views
- Apr 13, 2021
- 5 min
A Plethora of Pitch Correction Methods
This article will teach several different techniques and when it might be appropriate to use them.
604 views
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