Chapter Technical help

[Avery Todd]

List,
   I've been asked to consider giving a technical for one of our meetings
soon. The tech who arranges these keeps mentioning about the different
environment of a university setting compared to the "normal" self-employed
technician. The
only *real* differences I can see is in the amount of concert work I do and
perhaps that I service the same pianos over and over a lot more than an
independent technician might. Does anyone have any ideas related to the
"different environment" comment?
   The thing I would feel most comfortable doing would be regulation related.
In light of the recent outside jobs that have come up, I've been thinking
about doing something along the line of what has to be done "before" a
piano can be regulated (see my recent post about "Incompetent
Technicians").
   I don't want to do just another class on turn this screw until that
happens, then adjust that spring, etc. Most everyone knows the basic
principles involved in that. What seems, in my experience, to be lacking
most is laying a solid foundation for a good regulation: hammer travel and
burning, jack position(s) in relation to the knuckle, lining up the hammers
to the strings, checking for friction, lubrication, replacing key end felt
while the action is in the shop in order to make damper regulation easier.
That type of thing. Does this sound like a good idea for something a little
different?
   I realize that any good regulation class will cover these things, but
maybe this type of "prepping" needs a little more emphasis. Maybe even do
some hands-on work with anyone who would like to. Especially traveling &
burning! It's amazing how much of the hammer spacing problems (especially
on a Steinway rail) can be corrected just by doing that correctly. I know I
have enough older grands around here to use for examples!
   Now if I could just get the guy who screwed up the action I've been
working on to come to that class...... <G>
   Any ideas/comments would be appreciated.

Avery

_____________________________________
Avery Todd, RPT
Moores School of Music
University of Houston
Houston, TX 77204-4893
713-743-3226
atodd@uh.edu
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