voicing learning curve

[Alan R. Barnard]

1. Start by critically listening to quality recordings of classical and jazz pianos from the 1950s and early 60s to learn what beautiful voiced pianos actually sound like. (a bit of my bias for mellow, there ... )

2. Then listen with a critical ear to modern recordings of names like Horowitz and think critically about what you are hearing.

3. Find a real pro voicer and follow him or her around for a day (or a month or a year) when they are doing it (Liz Baker, Roger Jolly, Wally Brooks, Frank Hennessey, to name a few).

4. If you get a chance at any PTG convention where he's doing it, Take Roger Jolly's two classes on regulating & voicing the grand. You'll find that MOST of the difference is made by proper regulating, string leveling and seating, action specs, etc. He will demonstrate it for you and is amazing.

5. Finally, find pianos and practice. The trick here is to know when voicing will make a difference and when it will not. Junk pianos won't do it and the really nice pianos you shouldn't touch, yet. For my money, do NOT start with Asian pianos. Seek advice from chapter members: Someone may even have a piano or two in the shop that you could tinker with under at least partial supervision. A good candidate might be a decent but neglected grand in a church, for example. You may have to offer to regulate and voice for free or little cost, I dunno. But you need to practice and listen, listen, listen.

6. Be bold, be brave, but be careful.

7. You can't read a book or take a class and then go do it and expect great results right off. It's like tuning. Practice, practice, practice.

Alan Barnard
Salem, MO
Joshua 24:15



----- Original message ----------------------------------------
From: "ed miller" <edmiller3 at hotmail.com>
To: pianotech at ptg.org
Received: 02/05/2007 3:10:41 PM
Subject: voicing learning curve


>Hello,

>I'm looking for some voicing advice (mentoring). I'm two years into learning 
>the piano trade and have learned a great deal already in the realm of 
>tuning, regulating and repairing (though I know there's MUCH more to learn). 
>I've found that most skills are pretty straight foward, they just take a 
>little doing to get the hang of.

>Voicing, on the other hand, seems to me to be the most nuanced skill of them 
>all. I'm a bit intimidated by it. There are so many techniques that I have 
>read about. I'm sure most of them have merit, but none of them mean anything 
>if the technician has not developed a fine ear for tonal quality and 
>characterstics, and the subtle changes that can be achieved by manipulating 
>the hammers.

>I'm intereted in hearing any thoughts on how one develops this skill. I'm 
>less interested in specific techniques. I'm more looking for insight into 
>the process of learning to be a quality voicing technician. Possibly some 
>some stories from your own voicing learning process.

>Any thoughts would be appreciated.
>Thanks,
>Ed

>_________________________________________________________________
>Search for grocery stores. Find gratitude. Turn a simple search into 
>something more. 
>http://click4thecause.live.com/search/charity/default.aspx?
>source=hmemtagline_gratitude&FORM=WLMTAG



>-- 
>No virus found in this incoming message.
>Checked by AVG Free Edition.
>Version: 7.5.432 / Virus Database: 268.17.27/671 - Release Date: 2/5/2007 4:48 
>PM