CAUT

  • 1.  Harpsichord moving

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 09-11-2024 10:50

    Hi gang,

    I wonder how many of you are put in the position of having to move around a harpsichord?  I have a request to move our harpsichord into a shared vocal and piano teachers' studio.  The problems are: 1) the door isn't wide enough to move it in without turning it on its side, 2) they'll probably want it moved to a performance or rehearsal space a couple of times per semester, and 3) their room already has a piano (an M) and a divan, so it would be somewhat cramped and there's direct sunlight coming into the room right about where I picture the harpsichord going.  Unless they are conscientous about keeping the shades closed.

    I'd rather not start down the road of constant harpschord-moving.  My two counter-proposals are either 1) decamp to another studio with double doors whenever they want to use the harpsichord, or 2) be satisfied with a smaller and less fabulous instrument that I would be happy to let stay in their studio.

    What's been your experience with satisfying faculty members in this type of situation?

    Thanks!

    Zeno



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    Zeno Wood
    Brooklyn, NY
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  • 2.  RE: Harpsichord moving

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 09-11-2024 11:18
    Zeno

    Where is the h'chord kept now?  Would it be possible for the professor to use that space for lessons?  It sounds to me that this professor wants the convenience of having the h'chord in his studio, instead of using the other space. Is there a way to bring this matter to the attention of the department chair? Let him/her make the decision.

    Just my thoughts

    Wim 





  • 3.  RE: Harpsichord moving

    Member
    Posted 09-11-2024 12:06

    constant moving will cause lots of headaches for you as well as raise the risk of damage. sunlight will likely fade the finish and destroy it as well do not count on curtains /shades/drapes for a barrier the double door studio sounds like the better option . Who When and How it is to be moved should  be part of a written policy. Put the final decision in the lap of the dept chair



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    James Kelly
    Owner- Fur Elise Piano Service
    Pawleys Island SC
    (843) 325-4357
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  • 4.  RE: Harpsichord moving

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 09-12-2024 14:04

    Zeno et al:

    When I started at the U of Oregon (go Ducks!!) I was "assured" that there was no instrument moving that needed to be done.  Ha!!!  Since then, there have been no less than 250 moves in my 8 years here and probably more.  Both, pianos and harpsichords.  

    We have 9 harpsichords (11 counting mine and our instructors).  Two of the instruments are housed at Collier House which is a dedicated early music area and two of the instruments are there on a long term basis.  They do get moved out of the building to other performance venues periodically  but not often.  

    The bulk of our moving is within the music building.  The performance instruments are carted from one place to another, mostly with elevators and double doors.  One of the rooms has a single door but is a light instrument that can easily be put on its side for transport.  Since we host the annual Oregon Bach Festival, the instruments get used extensively through the summer performance but students also use the instruments throughout the school term.  Usually one of the OBF performances in off campus and 80-100 miles away.  Yes, there is compensation for mileage etc.   It always involves tuning of course but the instruments are tuned on a weekly to bi-monthy basis so are never too far out of the norm.  We also have a performance venue in the OBF building which involves taking the mullion off of the door, wheeling the harpsichord up the ramp (sometimes in less than favorable conditions) and through the second set of double doors.  It's always a two person move.  There are probably thirty of these moves throughout the year.  We have now parked one of the instruments in the OBF building so am thinking the number will reduce this year.  It's an experiment that I think will pay off in the long run.  

    We also have a small Sabathil (it's about 5') that gets used for opera and is off campus most of the time.  It's fairly light, portable and mostly stable.  Works just great for the opera productions.  

    So, Zeno, ya, we move instruments around all the time.  Is it a bother, well maybe, but it's part of the job here so not a big deal.  That may change when my back gives out!!

    In your case I would encourage the smaller instrument in the voice studio as there is usually no need for a double in that space.  Our little Sabathil is in a voice coaching studio and is sufficient for his use.  He is also the opera coach so they can use both instruments and both the piano and harpsichord are kept at A=440.  

    Mike Reiter

    Keyboard Technician 

    U of O School of Music and Dance



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    Michael Reiter RPT
    Eugene OR
    (541) 515-6499
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  • 5.  RE: Harpsichord moving

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 09-12-2024 14:21

    Zeno: 

    I've been institutional piano tech for almost 20 years; I've never heard of a piano faculty that has or wants a harpsichord in their studio. Sounds like it will be a crowded studio. I currently have two hpschds in my inventory: a small single and a double. They both reside in a 'hpschd room' in which hpschd lessons are given. I will move them when necessary for performance within our building (they are lightweight and can easily be strapped, lifted, turned on their side and lowered onto a piano dolly for leg removal). If the hpschd needs to go to another building I arrange with my piano movers and the department pays the moving costs. 

    Not sure that helps you. I hope you can manage a good solution that leaves them happy. Probably the most important thing is nailing down a 'use policy' and having the support of your administration. Otherwise faculty will have expectations...

    Cheers from South Bend, Indiana!

    Yours,

    Norman



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    Norman Vesprini RPT
    Piano Technology Program Manager
    Notre Dame IN
    (574) 631-3021
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  • 6.  RE: Harpsichord moving

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 09-12-2024 14:47
    Thanks to all for your thoughts.  It's looking there will be a satisfactory resolution: I'll place our smaller single harpsichord (Herz) in the studio where it will stay permanently.  The vocal professor will use it for coaching as appropriate,  and the piano professor who is there on different days will use it for harpsichord instruction as necessary. I'm not sure why they're sharing a studio now, perhaps because it's a nicer room with a window.  The two instruments can be made to fit fairly comfortably but I don't know what they'll do with the divan.  Not my problem!

    Our larger harpsichord (a double, also a Herz) will stay where it is, in a larger room with double doors and can fairly easily be moved to either of two rehearsal/recital spaces.

    Stay cool,
    Zeno





  • 7.  RE: Harpsichord moving

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 09-12-2024 15:34

    Sounds like a most equitable solution for all.

    Mike



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    Michael Reiter RPT
    Eugene OR
    (541) 515-6499
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