Basic Curriculum: Repair

Prerequisites: none

Keyboard repair Course Length and Type: 10 weeks, 1.5 hours/week; combined lecture, demonstration and hands-on (lab)

Text Requirements:
Piano Parts and Their Functions by Campbell and Mason, published by the Piano Technicians Guild

Other Text Resources:

Tools Required: all required repair tools

Course Description:
At End of Course, Student will know and be able to demonstrate knowledge of:

Overall top structure of piano: strings, dampers, plate, pins, piano scaling; how to remove piano case parts; the nature of piano wire and loading (bass), the overall string vibratory system; humidity controls; nature of piano felts; removing and reseating actions
Repair of strings (replacing, splicing, twisting, looping, coiling)
Replacement of strings or sets (bass strings or small sections of treble); oversize pinning; pin tapping
How to use measuring tools and do conversions from standard/metric to string gauges and pin gauges
How to use stringing tools
Troubleshooting string problems- rust, string stabilizing and settling, noises
How to deal with broken agraffes and do proper repairs
A basic introduction to the damper system (upright and grand); damper felt and proper selection; how to replace damper felts
General piano wood repairs and tools; some case and rim problems; adhesives and their appropriate uses

Prerequisites: 1st Quarter Curriculum

Course Length and Type: 10 weeks, 1.5 hours/week; combined lecture, demonstration and hands-on (lab)

Text Requirements:
Piano Parts and Their Functions by Campbell and Mason, published by the Piano Technicians Guild

Other Text Resources:

Tools Required: all required repair tools

Course Description:
At End of Course, Student will know and be able to demonstrate knowledge of:

All action parts (upright and grand), basic action geometry; measurements of movement, friction and force (torque); working with actions- removal and reseating of actions
Action and hammer systems: spacing, travel, alignment; action frames (minor repairs)
Replacing and repairing broken and missing hammers (size and weight selection)
Replacing and repairing broken hammer shanks
Replacing or repair jacks, springs, action felts; bolstering knuckles
Rebushing and repinning action centers
Replacing bridle straps and spinet elbows (and other spinet problems)
Back actions (underlever systems) and problem diagnostics (springs, felt, weights)
Troubleshooting general action problems: sluggishness, noise, etc.
Pedals, pedal lyres, trapwork; appropriate lubricants for pianos
Sostenuto systems and repairs

Prerequisites: 1st, 2nd Quarter Curricula

Course Length and Type: 10 weeks, 1.5 hours/week; combined lecture, demonstration and hands-on (lab)

Text Requirements:
Piano Parts and Their Functions by Campbell and Mason, published by the Piano Technicians Guild

Other Text Resources:

Tools Required: all required repair tools

Course Description:
At End of Course, Student will know and be able to demonstrate knowledge of:

The structure, parts, and function of piano keys; components of touch (weight and balance); interconnection with action and back action
Repairing broken keys (adhesives, clamps)
Repairing key buttons and balance holes
Repairing backchecks and wire bending
Repairing or rebushing key bushings (general bushing repairs and proper felt selection)
Keytop repairs; ivory and plastics; adhesives; coloration
Keyframes and pins; key alignment; pin repairs and alignment
Grand keyframes, introduction to bedding the keyframe, end blocks, keyslips, fallboards, interaction with pedal function

Prerequisites: 1st, 2nd and 3rd Quarter Curricula

Course Length and Type: 10 weeks, 1.5 hours/week; combined lecture, demonstration and hands-on (lab)

Text Requirements:
Piano Parts and Their Functions by Campbell and Mason, published by the Piano Technicians Guild

Other Text Resources:

Tools Required: all required repair tools

Course Description:
At End of Course, Student will know and be able to demonstrate knowledge of:

the nature of hammers: hammer structure, manufacturing processes, hammer pressing results, felt types, core types; the hammer as a spring: internal tension and compression
the proper shape of a new hammer; strategies for old hammer sets
how to shape a worn hammer; shaping techniques, sandpaper, tools, grits, and results
the nature of voicing (the whole piano): attack, sustain, and decay
voicing the hammer: controlling the "density" with liquids; "spot" voicing
voicing the hammer: controlling the "density" with needles; "spot" voicing
achieving even voicing: how to listen for the voice; "spot" voicing
basics of touchweight; the relationship with hammer installation
general repairs overall for the piano to be tuned, regulated and voiced
general experiential knowledge of repairs in the field brought to class for discussion and resolution