CAUT

What type of protocol do you use to keep a concert instrument playing at its best? I have responsibility for 2 such instruments and wanted to check to be sure I was doing what is needed to keep them performing at their top for the years to come. Things like maintenance schedules, when to replace hammers, when to restring and especially things that your do that may not be obvious but make a difference. 

Thanks.

------------------------------
Rex Roseman
Akron OH
330-289-2948
------------------------------

Great question Rex. A few thoughts to get things rolling...
Concert instruments, as far as when does it need major work/parts replacing/strings, or more of a comprehensive refurbinshing really depends on each particular situation, the dynamics of the piano faculty, staff, etc-who you are trying to "please/keep happy"-and of course FUNDING. I have found that usually you (and/or some of the faculty, etc) will just KNOW that things must be done. If it starts breaking strings then it is time to begin planning ahead, and planning on either a full restring (which of course may be the time for a new block, bridgework, etc) 
If it becomes difficult to get the full well rounded, etc etc-tone you are wanting/needing out of the current hammers, then it's decision time on at least trying to fund new hammers/shanks/flanges, whipps, etc (if at all possible)

Regular maintenance (between semesters, or when possible):

-stay on top of the regulation
-lubrication such as key bushings (& deal with loose ones ASAP)
-Don't let hammer grooves get too deep or out of hand-but do NOT file too often. Very fine sandpaper strips works incredibly well for maintaining this. (Another topic here!)
-inspect lid hinges & casters/legs on a regular basis
-keep the voicing as even & nice as you can on a weekly/monthy basis but again do not OVER do it. 

These are some HIGHLIGHTS-let the chiming in & discussions begin.

 



------------------------------
[Kevin] [Fortenberry] [RPT]
[Staff Techician]
[Texas Tech Univ]
[Lubbock] [TX]
[8067783962]
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 01-04-2018 07:21
From: Rex Roseman
Subject: Concert Instruments

What type of protocol do you use to keep a concert instrument playing at its best? I have responsibility for 2 such instruments and wanted to check to be sure I was doing what is needed to keep them performing at their top for the years to come. Things like maintenance schedules, when to replace hammers, when to restring and especially things that your do that may not be obvious but make a difference.

Thanks.

------------------------------
Rex Roseman
Akron OH
330-289-2948
------------------------------

Original Message------

Great question Rex. A few thoughts to get things rolling...
Concert instruments, as far as when does it need major work/parts replacing/strings, or more of a comprehensive refurbinshing really depends on each particular situation, the dynamics of the piano faculty, staff, etc-who you are trying to "please/keep happy"-and of course FUNDING. I have found that usually you (and/or some of the faculty, etc) will just KNOW that things must be done. If it starts breaking strings then it is time to begin planning ahead, and planning on either a full restring (which of course may be the time for a new block, bridgework, etc) 
If it becomes difficult to get the full well rounded, etc etc-tone you are wanting/needing out of the current hammers, then it's decision time on at least trying to fund new hammers/shanks/flanges, whipps, etc (if at all possible)

Regular maintenance (between semesters, or when possible):

-stay on top of the regulation
-lubrication such as key bushings (& deal with loose ones ASAP)
-Don't let hammer grooves get too deep or out of hand-but do NOT file too often. Very fine sandpaper strips works incredibly well for maintaining this. (Another topic here!)
-inspect lid hinges & casters/legs on a regular basis
-keep the voicing as even & nice as you can on a weekly/monthy basis but again do not OVER do it. 

These are some HIGHLIGHTS-let the chiming in & discussions begin.

 



------------------------------
[Kevin] [Fortenberry] [RPT]
[Staff Techician]
[Texas Tech Univ]
[Lubbock] [TX]
[8067783962]
------------------------------

Original Message------

I did a class called "Getting it 'Concert Ready' and Keeping It That Way" a few years back. Later I morphed it into "Laying a Grand Foundation." I'll attach the handouts, as they address your question pretty well - not parts replacement protocol, but the prepping and ongoing maintenance aspects.

Fred,
Those were enjoyable to read. Thanks for sharing. 
I have never worked with lanolin, might make an interesting topic for discussion.
-chris

------------------------------
A hunter's drumbeat steers the stampeding herd,
His belly growls in hunger to what he sees.
The mammoth aware blows his mighty trumpet,
But alas, the caveman tickles the ivories.

chernobieffpiano.com
865-986-7720
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 01-04-2018 13:34
From: Fred Sturm
Subject: Concert Instruments

I did a class called "Getting it 'Concert Ready' and Keeping It That Way" a few years back. Later I morphed it into "Laying a Grand Foundation." I'll attach the handouts, as they address your question pretty well - not parts replacement protocol, but the prepping and ongoing maintenance aspects.

Original Message------

Great question Rex. A few thoughts to get things rolling...
Concert instruments, as far as when does it need major work/parts replacing/strings, or more of a comprehensive refurbinshing really depends on each particular situation, the dynamics of the piano faculty, staff, etc-who you are trying to "please/keep happy"-and of course FUNDING. I have found that usually you (and/or some of the faculty, etc) will just KNOW that things must be done. If it starts breaking strings then it is time to begin planning ahead, and planning on either a full restring (which of course may be the time for a new block, bridgework, etc)
If it becomes difficult to get the full well rounded, etc etc-tone you are wanting/needing out of the current hammers, then it's decision time on at least trying to fund new hammers/shanks/flanges, whipps, etc (if at all possible)

Regular maintenance (between semesters, or when possible):

-stay on top of the regulation
-lubrication such as key bushings (& deal with loose ones ASAP)
-Don't let hammer grooves get too deep or out of hand-but do NOT file too often. Very fine sandpaper strips works incredibly well for maintaining this. (Another topic here!)
-inspect lid hinges & casters/legs on a regular basis
-keep the voicing as even & nice as you can on a weekly/monthy basis but again do not OVER do it.

These are some HIGHLIGHTS-let the chiming in & discussions begin.





------------------------------
[Kevin] [Fortenberry] [RPT]
[Staff Techician]
[Texas Tech Univ]
[Lubbock] [TX]
[8067783962]
------------------------------

Original Message------

Fred,
Those were enjoyable to read. Thanks for sharing. 
I have never worked with lanolin, might make an interesting topic for discussion.
-chris

------------------------------
A hunter's drumbeat steers the stampeding herd,
His belly growls in hunger to what he sees.
The mammoth aware blows his mighty trumpet,
But alas, the caveman tickles the ivories.

chernobieffpiano.com
865-986-7720
------------------------------

Original Message------

What type of protocol do you use to keep a concert instrument playing at its best? I have responsibility for 2 such instruments and wanted to check to be sure I was doing what is needed to keep them performing at their top for the years to come. Things like maintenance schedules, when to replace hammers, when to restring and especially things that your do that may not be obvious but make a difference. 

Thanks.

------------------------------
Rex Roseman
Akron OH
330-289-2948
------------------------------

YES! Was hoping Fred would chime in. 
I LOVE his key bushing & frictrion "protocol". We were going through key bushings WAY too fast. Not so much our concert pianos but piano profs, practice pianos, etc etc. 

Rex, out of curiosity, what are your two concert pianos? (If you don't mind sharing). We tend to sort of assume Steinway Ds but...


------------------------------
[Kevin] [Fortenberry] [RPT]
[Staff Techician]
[Texas Tech Univ]
[Lubbock] [TX]
[8067783962]
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 01-05-2018 08:14
From: Rex Roseman
Subject: Concert Instruments

Thank you for the information, especially Fred. I realized after asking the question that what I really was looking for was what Fred provided. Will take some time to look it over and see where I need to adjust. 

Once again, thank you for your responses.

Original Message------

What type of protocol do you use to keep a concert instrument playing at its best? I have responsibility for 2 such instruments and wanted to check to be sure I was doing what is needed to keep them performing at their top for the years to come. Things like maintenance schedules, when to replace hammers, when to restring and especially things that your do that may not be obvious but make a difference.

Thanks.

------------------------------
Rex Roseman
Akron OH
330-289-2948
------------------------------

Original Message------

YES! Was hoping Fred would chime in. 
I LOVE his key bushing & frictrion "protocol". We were going through key bushings WAY too fast. Not so much our concert pianos but piano profs, practice pianos, etc etc. 

Rex, out of curiosity, what are your two concert pianos? (If you don't mind sharing). We tend to sort of assume Steinway Ds but...


------------------------------
[Kevin] [Fortenberry] [RPT]
[Staff Techician]
[Texas Tech Univ]
[Lubbock] [TX]
[8067783962]
------------------------------