Overseas employment

[Bernhard Stopper]

What you probably mean as the lower degree "Klavierbauer" is a shortcut 
of  the degree "Klavierbauergeselle" what means literarilly
"piano builder helper", and is the first degree after apprentice.
The use of the title Klavierbauer, implies that you have the master 
title in germany.

The examination may vary, you can build your instrument from scratch or 
with prebuilt components.
Usually, harpsichord makers make a complete instrument.
Piano makers have to proove their woodworking skills with a 1/4 model of 
rim and soundboard.
Beside the construction drawing, you have also to present your own scale 
design and discuss it with the masters that take
the examination.Be shure, no one get the master degree if he is telling 
nonsense there.

regards,

Bernhard Stopper

Richard Brekne schrieb:
> I personally know three <<Meisters>>.  All three said the same 
> thing... the design of the piano was already done for them, and the 
> case/rim was built.  Essentially all they had to do was install a 
> premade soundboard, measure a pre-determined scale and notch the 
> bridge accordingly, and assemble the instrument otherwise.  They did 
> not have to measure out and cut their own keys from scratch, nor 
> design and implement an action to fit the dimensions of the instrument.
> Personally, I draw a distinction between being a <<piano builder>> and 
> a <<piano assembler>>.  That said, all three of these same had after 
> many years of experience accumulated very much of the knowledge and 
> experience neccessary to become what I would call a piano builder, and 
> what I believe the title truly implies.  In any case... the lower 
> degree of Klavierbauer is to my mind completely misleading.  In 
> anycase misleading if interpreted in the direction of piano builder.
>
> Cheers
> RicB
>
>
>    To get the title "Klavierbaumeister" in germany, you have to make a
>    "Meister examination".
>    You usually go to the school in Ludwigsburg for one ear to learn to
>    construct a piano and a grand piano.
>    To subscribe to school, you first must have been in profession usually
>    for at least 5 years.
>    At the examination, you have to proove, that you are able to build a
>    piano.
>    (you have to make a complete construction drawing and to assemble an
>    instrument from scratch).
>
>    Of course there are fellows who forgot to build a piano when they do
>    tunings only.
>    But this is a different question.
>
>    regards,
>
>    Bernhard Stopper
>
>