Acoustic Piano Maintenance and Repair Course

Lesson 1 • Sound Production and Acoustic Principles

Connect mechanical motion to acoustic output through vibration, resonance, and inharmonicity. This framework guides voicing and tonal adjustment decisions.

Lesson 2 • The Plate, Hitch Pins, and Tuning Pins

Analyze the cast-iron plate's role in bearing string tension and anchoring hardware. Plate integrity directly affects tuning stability.

Lesson 3 • String, Soundboard, and Rim Structure

Examine how strings, bridges, soundboard, and rim interact to amplify vibration. Understanding acoustics guides voicing and structural repairs.

Lesson 4 • History and Types of Acoustic Pianos

Survey grand, upright, and specialty piano designs across historical periods. Context informs why modern mechanisms evolved as they did.

Lesson 1 • Essential Hand Tools for Piano Work

Catalog tuning hammers, regulation tools, and specialty implements by task. Correct tool selection prevents component damage and improves efficiency.

Lesson 2 • Measuring and Diagnostic Instruments

Use calipers, regulation gauges, and electronic tools to obtain precise measurements. Accurate data collection is the basis for consistent, repeatable repairs.

Lesson 3 • Workshop Organization and Ergonomics

Design a functional workspace layout that supports efficient workflow and reduces fatigue. Good organization directly reduces errors and repair time.

Lesson 4 • Safety Practices and Hazard Management

Identify chemical, ergonomic, and mechanical hazards common in piano repair. Applying safety protocols protects technicians and instruments alike.

Lesson 1 • Equal Temperament and Tuning Systems

Explain equal temperament mathematically and contrast it with historical temperaments. This foundation justifies every interval decision made during tuning.

Lesson 2 • Beat Rates and Interval Checks

Train the ear to detect and count beats per second in tuned intervals. Beat rate control is the core skill of aural piano tuning.

Lesson 3 • Ear Training Exercises for Technicians

Practice structured listening drills to sharpen beat detection and interval recognition. Consistent ear training accelerates tuning accuracy and confidence.

Lesson 4 • Aural Tuning Sequence and Temperament Setting

Execute a systematic temperament octave using a defined sequence of intervals. A reliable sequence produces consistent, repeatable results across all pianos.

Lesson 1 • Muting Techniques for Unison Isolation

Use rubber and felt mutes to isolate individual strings within unison groups. Accurate muting is prerequisite to precise unison and octave tuning.

Lesson 2 • Diagnosing and Correcting Tuning Problems

Identify false strings, loose pins, and soundboard resonance issues that resist stable tuning. Accurate diagnosis prevents repeated service calls.

Lesson 3 • Pitch Raise and Rough Tuning Procedures

Restore severely flat or sharp pianos to approximate pitch before fine tuning. Pitch raises reduce string breakage risk and improve final tuning stability.

Lesson 4 • Full Tuning Procedure from Bass to Treble

Execute a complete tuning using a systematic section-by-section approach. A defined procedure ensures no notes are missed and tuning time is minimized.

Lesson 1 • Understanding Upright Action Geometry

Analyze how upright action geometry differs from grand and affects regulation sequence. Geometry knowledge prevents over-adjustment and cascading errors.

Lesson 2 • Key Leveling and Weighting

Level keys to a uniform height and balance down-weight and up-weight. Even key surfaces and consistent touch weight are prerequisites for all further regulation.

Lesson 3 • Damper Regulation in Upright Actions

Regulate damper lift timing, damper spring tension, and damper felt seating. Proper damper function is essential for clean note release and pedal response.

Lesson 4 • Pedal Mechanism Regulation

Regulate sustain, soft, and practice pedals for correct travel, lost motion, and effect. Pedal regulation completes the upright action regulation sequence.

Lesson 1 • Grand Action Geometry and Differences

Contrast grand action geometry with upright to understand unique regulation requirements. Grand geometry enables faster repetition and finer dynamic control.

Lesson 2 • Repetition Lever Spring Regulation

Set repetition lever spring tension for reliable hammer return at all dynamic levels. Correct spring tension enables rapid repetition without double-striking.

Lesson 3 • Grand Damper and Pedal Regulation

Regulate grand damper lift, damper guide rail, and all three pedals to specification. Complete pedal regulation finalizes the grand action regulation process.

Lesson 4 • Let-Off, Drop, and Blow Distance

Adjust let-off, drop, and blow distance to achieve clean escapement and dynamic range. These parameters define the expressive capability of the grand action.

Lesson 1 • Hammer Filing and Reshaping

File hammer felt to restore proper crown shape and remove deep string grooves. Filing prepares hammers for effective voicing and extends felt life.

Lesson 2 • Voicing for Tonal Balance Across the Keyboard

Achieve smooth tonal transitions between bass, tenor, and treble sections. Section-to-section balance is the final goal of a complete voicing procedure.

Lesson 3 • Needling Techniques for Tone Softening

Use voicing needles to open felt fibers and reduce harshness in bright hammers. Controlled needling is the primary method for softening tone without filing.

Lesson 4 • Hardening Treatments for Soft Hammers

Apply lacquer or hardening solutions to restore brightness in overly soft hammers. Hardening complements needling to achieve the full tonal range of adjustment.

Lesson 1 • Soundboard Crack Repair and Bridge Work

Repair soundboard cracks and re-glue loose bridge sections to restore acoustic integrity. Structural soundboard repairs prevent buzzing and recover lost tonal projection.

Lesson 2 • Restringing: Planning and Preparation

Plan a complete restring by measuring string gauges, lengths, and speaking lengths. Thorough preparation prevents errors and reduces restringing time significantly.

Lesson 3 • Bass String Replacement and Winding

Replace individual or full sets of wound bass strings using correct core and winding specs. Bass string quality directly affects tone in the lowest register.

Lesson 4 • Restringing Technique and Coiling

Install treble strings with correct coil count and tension distribution around tuning pins. Proper coiling technique ensures long-term tuning stability after restringing.