Harpsichord "dabbling"

[Richard Brekne]

Hi AA

Actually, the reason I ask is that I know a couple serious folks... Joel 
Katzman for one in Amsterdam. And it is this acquaintance that through 
the years has made me aware of what a beautiful and complex instrument 
the Cembalo is, and how wide the field of technical expertise is in both 
building and maintaining.

I choose the word dabble quite seriously, because sadly... that is the 
way so very very many in both our fields get started out.. and indeed 
that same dabbling all to often takes us through too many years before 
the lights go on.

Myself,  I know a good Cembalo when I see one, at least from the 
standpoint of one that has been well cared for by a real 
professional...and I am quite insistant about not doing things I'm not 
routined about on them.  But then there are a few instruments around 
town that dont get any kind of maintainance at all.  And, as having some 
basic skills would be benificial to these... I do indeed <<dabble>> a 
bit myself... calling Joel and a couple other at regular intervals mind you.

We hear actually quite frequently questions from piano techs about 
Cembalo tunings... etc..  and I get the feeling that most of us piano 
techs fall rather more into the class of dabblers in this context then 
refined specialists. 

I agree... a great Cembalo finely maintained is absolutely wonderful to 
hear. Joel just delivered a brand new one to us... just beautiful sound. 

Cheers
RicB

        I'm curious.

        How many of you who dabble a bit in Harpsichord / Cembalo work
        do any
        voicing or regulation work  on them ?

        RicB
         >>>>>>>


    Dear Ric,

    How would you like the idea of harpsichord builders "dabbling" in
    piano work?  Harpsichord voicing and regulation are earned skills,
    just as hammer voicing or piano regulation are.  I'm hoping that
    "dabbling" was a playful and not serious choice of words there. 
    Perhaps the plumber would like to dabble at piano tuning while he's
    in the house anyway with wrenches?

    Some of us are seriously employed at both, but I only know of a
    handful of people who are truly skilled in both fields.   I'm hoping
    that any pianotechs who work on harpsichords will have the sense to
    get help, and even better, recommend or sub-contract to an
    expert.    Tuning is not complicated, but voicing and regulation
    require study and experience. On top of that, there is a huge
    breadth of harpsichord types out there, so there is a an equally
    broad breadth of experience required to do quality work.  

    As for Tuner's Supply wire, it's probably plenty rusty by now, and
    is only useful on harpsichords that originally used that nasty stuff
    and are scaled too long for something decent.  It is critical to
    match wire types in harpsichords or that note will stand right out.

    AA