Highly trained technicians for the most complex of instruments
MOST musicians tune the instruments they play on and count the ability as one of the normal and essential skills of their art. In fact, with some instruments, such as strings and trombone, the initial tuning is only part of the story, as every note is itself an act of tuning.
This is not the case in keyboard instruments though, where the whole process of tuning must be completed before a note is played. The process is complicated, not only because of the number of notes, but also because the relationship between the 12 notes of the scale is far from straightforward.
Performers of antique instruments, such as harpsichords and clavichords, usually do their own tuning, but piano players hardly ever tune their own instruments.
This is because of the complexity of the task. First, there are so many strings to tune, with a modern piano having over 200 strings. Secondly, setting the first octave on any keyboard instrument demands the detection and adjustment of a complicated series of fine distinctions of sounds. The unique acoustical properties of a piano make even the tuning of octaves a complex affair. Thirdly, the strings are set to so high a tension, that the technique of adjusting them with the tuning lever requires special skill.
So, the piano-tuner or technician’s work is possibly one of the most misunderstood of professions and although technique is used as a tool, it is in fact an art to be able to tune.
The tone of a piano is complex with the final character of the piano given by the tuner. This is a result of years of experience and intimate practical knowledge of the inner acoustics of piano tone. The production of tone and intonation of a piano is different to that of a violinist. For string players, it is controlled by the player, for the piano, a great deal of responsibility falls on the tuner.
The piano is probably the most complex of musical instruments with over 500 working parts in the action and the combined tension on its strings approximately 15-20 tons! The tuning pins therefore have to be set very tightly in a strong wooden block with a special wrench to turn them up or down.
The technician begins with one string in the middle of the piano where he can hear best, confirming the pitch with some type of tuning fork. He then sets about 12 notes (a chromatic scale) right in the same area. But, as each key has three strings, he has to block off the outside strings of each key with a strip of felt so only one string will sound at a time for each note.
Having tuned the middle area, he can then work in both directions by listening to octaves and other intervals with the notes already set. The final step is to pull out the strip of felt and tune the two outside strings of each note to the middle one. It sounds so easy, yet it takes years of training.
It is often thought that that the piano tuner must have ‘perfect pitch’ (the ability to name any note played at any time without being told the note name first) in order to make the tone adjustments. However, they rather listen to tone, a technique acquired through training and experience.
A career in piano tuning and technology is unique and can be very rewarding. You can be your own boss and with a solid education, can work in concert halls, colleges and universities, recording studios, retail shops and many other exciting settings. The requirements for students are generally good health and stamina with some mechanical aptitude. Although ‘perfect pitch’ is not necessary, musical aptitude and interest is essential as is normal hearing. As in any profession, certain personal qualities are important, including tonal recognition, the ability to make judgments, physical strength and dexterity and self-discipline. In order to have a good clientele base, a tuner will need to have a pleasant personality and sense of responsibility to his customers.
There are many courses, all over the world and as it is an unregulated trade, many countries have their own Piano Technicians Guild or Associations with entrance exams to ensure high technical service and ethical conduct in the profession. Most courses are full-time and take two years to complete, covering piano design, tuning theory, repair and general piano technology on both upright and grand pianos with a high proportion of the course dedicated to hands-on practical work. The association of Registered Piano Technicians has a one hour written test with two tuning and technical tests which take approximately four hours each.
It is also a profession which can be considered by visually impaired people, with a special, private and self-supporting School of Piano Technology for the Blind in Vancouver which is especially equipped and designed. Only 12 students are accepted on each course, which covers all the technical skills, and business skills such as how to contact potential employers and customers, marketing of their services and record keeping. The school also has a library with books and trade magazines in cassette and Braille.
n In Cyprus, there are several piano tuners and technicians available with a listing on www.cyprusclassical.com
JOKE
The audience at a piano recital were appalled when a telephone rang just off stage. Without missing a note the soloist glanced toward the wings and called, “If that’s my agent, tell him I’m working!”
FAMOUS QUOTES
“Simplicity is the final achievement. After one has played a vast quantity of notes and more notes, it is simplicity that emerges as the crowning reward of art.”
Chopin
MUSICAL TERM
Cadenza – Initially an improvised cadence by a soloist; later becoming an elaborate and written out passage in an aria or concerto, featuring the skills of an instrumentalist or vocalist.
THIS DAY IN HISTORY
* Death of Clara Schumann 1896
* Premiere of Luigi Dallapiccola’s Il Prigioniero in Florence, 1950
* Premiere of Aharon Harlap’s Viola Concerto in Budapest 2007
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