You're not kidding! My wife studied with Bilson, and he's made lots of converts among pianists who previously thought 18th-century pianos were 'primitive.' A century ago, many critics said the same about harpsichords, clavichords, and baroque organs. We've come a long way since then but still have far to go in teaching folks to appreciate fine historical pianos, especially American ones. Too bad so few survive in good condition.
Laurence
----- Original Message -----
From: Paul T Williams
To: caut at ptg.org
Sent: Tuesday, January 12, 2010 10:13 AM
Subject: Re: [CAUT] Piano Mechanics class
Good point, Laurence. Especially since last fall, we had Malcolm Bilson here for a whole week, and he gave me many hours of free instruction and history on the fortepiano we have. What a joy to work with him.
Paul
From: Laurence Libin <lelibin at optonline.net>
To: caut at ptg.org
Date: 01/12/2010 08:56 AM
Subject: Re: [CAUT] Piano Mechanics class
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Terrific outline! It would be great to add a component on the development of the piano since its invention, especially because more and more young players are being attracted to historical types. Even Juilliard is finally waking up to their existence.
Laurence
----- Original Message -----
From: Jeannie Grassi
To: caut at ptg.org
Sent: Tuesday, January 12, 2010 9:39 AM
Subject: Re: [CAUT] Piano Mechanics class
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] 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
No virus found in this incoming message.
Checked by AVG - www.avg.com
Version: 9.0.725 / Virus Database: 270.14.135/2615 - Release Date: 01/11/10 11:35:00
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I am using the Free version of SPAMfighter.
We are a community of 6 million users fighting spam.
SPAMfighter has removed 324 of my spam emails to date.
The Professional version does not have this message.
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://ptg.org/pipermail/caut.php/attachments/20100112/6b67f2c1/attachment.htm>
This PTG archive page provided courtesy of Moy Piano Service, LLC