[CAUT] Piano Mechanics class

[Jeannie Grassi]

Hi Paul,

Thanks for this.  The class description is general enough to add anything
you want as you go along.  It does not promise to offer tuning lessons,
however, or even any other specific work on pianos.  How many weeks are
there in your semester?  Do you plan on letting them "taste": various
repairs a/o maintenance tasks also?  

As I was reading your Course Description I put myself in the student's
position and started getting excited about learning all those things about
my piano.  Whenever I get the opportunity to show some of those things to
musicians their enthusiasm is contagious.  What fun!

Thanks,

jeannie

 

  _____  

From: caut-bounces at ptg.org [mailto:caut-bounces at ptg.org] On Behalf Of Paul T
Williams
Sent: Tuesday, January 12, 2010 6:04 AM
To: caut at ptg.org
Subject: Re: [CAUT] Piano Mechanics class

MUS 361 Spring Semester 2010




Course Description 

A 2-credit interactive workshop "poking around under the hood of a variety
of pianos."  This hands-on course is designed for pianists, piano teachers,
and those who have a great interest in pianos.  This course will cover piano
nomenclature, how pianos work, what to consider when buying a new or used
piano, how to care for your piano, an in-depth look at the services that
piano technicians provide and communicating with your piano technician.
Students are expected to come to class prepared to participate from the
first class. 

Purpose of the class 

1.        To provide technical information about the piano to pianists so
that the pianist will understand the possibilities and constraints of the
instrument, how a properly maintained piano feels and sounds, what they want
in a piano and how to ask for it, how to buy and care for a piano, and how
to locate and assess the skills of a piano technician. 
2.        Increase the comfort level and confidence that pianists have with
their instruments. 
3.        Enhance the communication between pianists and piano technicians. 

Instructor 

Paul T. Williams RPT  (Registered Piano Technician/Piano Technicians
Guild-PTG) 
Shop phone; 472-2568 
E-mail;  pwilliams4 at unl.edu 
Office hours; Room 5, by appointment 

Class times 
Tuesdays and Thursdays 12:30-1:20 

Texts 
The Piano Book: Buying and Owning a New or Used Piano 
Larry Fine 
Brookside Press  (provided by instructor) 

Piano Tuning and Allied Arts 
William Braid White, MusD 
MT 165 W54 (Hagge Library, UNL) 

Various Handouts 

Hi Jeannie,  This above info is the general idea of the class.  I got quite
a bit of information from Alan McCoy at WSU. My outline is very similar to
his.  I think Richard West's class was also very similar. 

Hope this helps. 

Paul 




From: 

"Jeannie Grassi" <jcgrassi at earthlink.net> 


To: 

<caut at ptg.org> 


Date: 

01/11/2010 08:20 PM 


Subject: 

Re: [CAUT] Piano Mechanics class

 

  _____  




Hi Paul, 
This sounds great.  More people certainly does mean that your own attention
is divided, so being organized is even that much more important. 
  
Would you (or anyone else) be willing to share your basic outline or
overview with the rest of us?  I can see where this would be helpful even
with a private student, which I'm contemplating doing. 
Thanks, 
jeannie 
  
  
  

 

  _____  


From: caut-bounces at ptg.org [ <mailto:caut-bounces at ptg.org>
mailto:caut-bounces at ptg.org] On Behalf Of Paul T Williams
Sent: Monday, January 11, 2010 11:21 AM
To: CAUTlist
Subject: [CAUT] Piano Mechanics class 
  
Hi All, 

I'm wondering of your CAUTers that teach a basic piano mechanics class on
how many students you usually have.  This year, I have 6 signed up.  The
most I've ever had at once, and I'm wondering how to keep all 12 hands busy
at the same time. 

I don't lecture in front of the classroom a lot, but rather, do a lot of
hands-on teaching while explaining what I'm doing and then have them do it.
Two years ago, I had 4, which was sort of chaotic for me.  I really like 2
or 3, but 6!!?? The tuning basics was the hardest to monitor. 

I've developed a good plan of topics for them to learn and two "projects"
they will be working on is a Yamaha U-1 for the first few weeks after
teaching nomenclature, piano care, basic action functions and regulating on
models. After the Yam, one of the grands from a practice room that's coming
back with a new soundboard in a month or two. 

Since this class only meets for an hour twice a week, I won't be able to get
really detailed on just one aspect of tuning, regulating, or
repairs/rebuilding, but I want to touch on as much as I can. 

Am I making this too "cluttered"? I would like your input as to focusing on
fewer topics, cover a spread of everything on the table, or something in
between. 

Thanks! 

Paul 

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