Pianotech

Dear Esteemed Colleagues,

Last week, not one but TWO performers met with me to discuss their proposed use of electric toothbrushes inside pianos in performance at our school. Not surprisingly, they each thought that they had invented the technique. While we may never know who came up with this first (any other known contenders out there?), you may experience the music made by each of these artists from the comfort of your computer or smart phone. The concerts are this Tuesday (tomorrow) the 18th at 8 PM (Pacific time) and Friday, the 21st, also at 8 PM. Go to CalArts.edu and search for ROD webcast.

Alan

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Alan Eder, RPT
Herb Alpert School of Music
California Institute of the Arts
Valencia, CA
661.904.6483
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I have used electric toothbrushes to clean and polish keypins and piano wire. Does that count ?

My dentist gave me an old ultra-sonic descaling machine to use on bass strings to try to shake dirt and crud out of the windings. The concept sounded promising but I was afraid I might electrocute myself after I turned it on

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James Kelly
Pawleys Island SC
843-325-4357
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Original Message:
Sent: 09-17-2018 16:36
From: Alan Eder
Subject: electric toothbrushes... twice in one week!

Dear Esteemed Colleagues,

Last week, not one but TWO performers met with me to discuss their proposed use of electric toothbrushes inside pianos in performance at our school. Not surprisingly, they each thought that they had invented the technique. While we may never know who came up with this first (any other known contenders out there?), you may experience the music made by each of these artists from the comfort of your computer or smart phone. The concerts are this Tuesday (tomorrow) the 18th at 8 PM (Pacific time) and Friday, the 21st, also at 8 PM. Go to CalArts.edu and search for ROD webcast.

Alan

------------------------------
Alan Eder, RPT
Herb Alpert School of Music
California Institute of the Arts
Valencia, CA
661.904.6483
------------------------------

James wrote:
"I have used electric toothbrushes to clean and polish keypins and piano wire. Does that count ?"

Performance art is a pretty big tent. Could be...

Alan

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Alan Eder, RPT
Herb Alpert School of Music
California Institute of the Arts
Valencia, CA
661.904.6483
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 09-17-2018 21:12
From: James Kelly
Subject: electric toothbrushes... twice in one week!

I have used electric toothbrushes to clean and polish keypins and piano wire. Does that count ?

My dentist gave me an old ultra-sonic descaling machine to use on bass strings to try to shake dirt and crud out of the windings. The concept sounded promising but I was afraid I might electrocute myself after I turned it on

------------------------------
James Kelly
Pawleys Island SC
843-325-4357

Original Message:
Sent: 09-17-2018 16:36
From: Alan Eder
Subject: electric toothbrushes... twice in one week!

Dear Esteemed Colleagues,

Last week, not one but TWO performers met with me to discuss their proposed use of electric toothbrushes inside pianos in performance at our school. Not surprisingly, they each thought that they had invented the technique. While we may never know who came up with this first (any other known contenders out there?), you may experience the music made by each of these artists from the comfort of your computer or smart phone. The concerts are this Tuesday (tomorrow) the 18th at 8 PM (Pacific time) and Friday, the 21st, also at 8 PM. Go to CalArts.edu and search for ROD webcast.

Alan

------------------------------
Alan Eder, RPT
Herb Alpert School of Music
California Institute of the Arts
Valencia, CA
661.904.6483
------------------------------

I'm actually a piano tuner/technician by trade so answering this is easy.

Dusting the inside of a grand can be scary but need not be. As stated above soft toothbrush like these with long bristles will do well in keeping the dust level down. If the piano is stable and well-tuned then running the brush across the strings will not knock the piano out of tune. (A change in climate is far more likely to change the tuning than a simple cleaning.) Your piano tuner should be the one to clean under the strings. That job requires specialty tools and if done incorrectly could scratch the soundboard and hurt the strings and dampers.

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Jasm Charl
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Original Message:
Sent: 09-17-2018 16:36
From: Alan Eder
Subject: electric toothbrushes... twice in one week!

Dear Esteemed Colleagues,

Last week, not one but TWO performers met with me to discuss their proposed use of electric toothbrushes inside pianos in performance at our school. Not surprisingly, they each thought that they had invented the technique. While we may never know who came up with this first (any other known contenders out there?), you may experience the music made by each of these artists from the comfort of your computer or smart phone. The concerts are this Tuesday (tomorrow) the 18th at 8 PM (Pacific time) and Friday, the 21st, also at 8 PM. Go to CalArts.edu and search for ROD webcast.

Alan

------------------------------
Alan Eder, RPT
Herb Alpert School of Music
California Institute of the Arts
Valencia, CA
661.904.6483
------------------------------