Harpsichord

[Kevin E. Ramsey RPT]

First of all, you have to get the right tuning hammer. The Harpsichord has
the same size pins as a zither, and tuning hammers for these are in the
Shaff Catalog. As for replacing strings, just be careful, and get a copy of
"The Harpsichord Owners Guide" by Edward Kottick. There are probably better
books on the market, but this one goes into string replacement on a level
that you could probably appreciate.
    Some people prefer the "T" handle hammer, but since you are already
tuning using a goose neck style hammer, that will probably seem more
natural.
    As far as temperament, ask the department; Some harpsichordists like ET,
but some are so historical as to wear period-correct costumes occasionally,
and they want everything authentic, just the way it was back then. I don't
know if they could tell the difference, when it really comes down to it,
though.
    Just my two cents worth. Go ahead, FLAME ME!!!
-----Original Message-----
From: Ed Carwithen <edwithen@oregontrail.net>
To: pianotech@ptg.org <pianotech@ptg.org>
Date: Tuesday, October 24, 2000 9:52 PM
Subject: Harpsichord


>OK guys and gals:
>
>  Please don't laugh, or remind me of how incompetent I am for asking
but....
>
>  How do I tune a harpsichord?  I just got asked to tune for a university
>chamber series.  Would love to worm my way into the music department as
>their piano technician, especially because they have just replaced all the
>old beaters with new pianos.
>
>  I don't have the proper tool (isn't it called a key?), so will have to
>get one.  What will go wrong?  Do I use ET or one of the HT's?  A=440???
>What happens when a string breaks (I understand that is a concern with
>harpsichords)?
>
>  Am I an idiot for thinking that tuning pianos prepares me for tuning a
>harpsichord?
>
>
>Ed Carwithen
>John Day, OR
>
>