Electronic Tuning Devices Angela Hewitt at Fazioli The Workshop, Reigate April 2011

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Above, Pocket RCT’s tuning module “CyberEar” on a Pocket PC. CyberEar’s spinner gives you the ultimate in pitch control. Reyburn CyberTuner Pocket PC Windows Macintosh www.reyburn.com The Piano Workshop: Page 12 New Students at Newark: Page 20

Editorial — 4 President Writes — 5 PTA/Steinway Study Day Notice — 5 Membership News — 6 Students’ Pages — 10 Dealers In The Spotlight — 12 Electronic Tuning Devices — 14 Council Report — 19 Meet The PTA at Newark — 20 Retail Tales — 23 Angela Hewitt DVD Review — 25 Trade News — 26 Letters — 26 PTA Diary — 27

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The next deadline for PTA News is separately to the text. Items can only be returned if Friday 20th May 2011. accompanied by an SAE. Please obtain the necessary permission before submitting copyrighted items. PTA News is the Newsletter for the Pianoforte PTA News Tuners’ Association. All views expressed are those of Cobblestones the contributors and do not necessarily reflect the Church Lane views of the PTA or the editorial team. Great Holland Please address letters intended for publication to FRINTON-ON-SEA ‘The Editor’, preferably sent via email, computer disk Essex CO13 0JS or typed. If by email or disc please send photos [email protected]

April 2011 3 What a fantastic time of year! Editorial The snow, ice and freezing conditions we sometimes have to Matthew Gough work and travel in are behind us at last and we can look forward to long one wedged string of spring and summer days. another in the scale area. Spring is a time for ‘new life’ and that This necessity to achieve a got me thinking about how difficult some of superb unison before moving on to the next us find it to try out new things in our interval has I feel, led to better unisons profession. Adrian Carpenter must be without the muting strip. Stability is another commended for giving an Electronic benefit for the same reason, it is easier to Tuning Device a go. It’s all too easy to make a change to the scale by adjusting one criticize these things before you’ve even string per note than it is having to go back tried them and many of our number find and adjust all three of each. So the result is them to be of great benefit. You can read that I work harder to make sure each string how Adrian got on with his new ETD inside. is really stable before moving on to the next. For me, two new techniques have taken I must say that I’m really glad that I shape over the last year or so. For many persevered without the strip because I am years I have heard mumblings at PTA certain my tunings are better without it. It Conventions about muting strips. The also gives an odd feeling of liberation to general consensus seemed to be that they tune stripless! were thought of with disdain. Being an There are occasions that I still use my advocate of using such a strip for setting the neglected green friend, namely on difficult scale since leaving college, I have always or unstable instruments, where as stated been uneasy about tuning without one. above, having to repeatedly go back to tune Although of course, one has to be extremely one string in a scale is quicker than tuning careful if using it with Grands or uprights all three. with split dampers, the majority of my The second revelation was picked up tunings don’t fall into that category and I from a tip by a lecturer at a convention class. suppose the muting strip gave me a nice Namely, to use a felt wedge when tuning feeling of comfort and security whilst grand instead of a rubber one. So setting the scale and I assumed it was the simple and yet such a difference! I find the quickest way. sound of the ‘speaking’ string to be so After overhearing further derogatory much clearer and easy to hear. In comments about the green baize at last comparison, I now find the rubber wedge to years Bournemouth Convention, I decided give a rather dull, metallic and rather ‘thud’ to take the bull by the horns and like sound. The felt one looks nicer too! endeavoured to try tuning without one. The rubber one is used on really dirty pianos The scale took me much longer at first and also makes a good door stop! as I lingered unsurely on the unisons of a I gather there are very few places left at note before moving on to the next interval, the Worksop Convention, but if you’re wanting to be as sure as possible that the quick you might be able to come. unison was pure. Who knows, even you could learn Gradually, I was able to speed up as my something new ;- ) confidence increased and my ears adjusted Happy Tuning..... to hearing three strings of one note against 4 It seems barely The President Writes possible that I am now approaching Keith Owen the end of my first year as President. responsibility. Why do they do it? The learning curve (or should I say the Well, apart from a deep and octave stretch) has been steep, to say the abiding belief in everything the P.T.A. least. Fortunately I have a small armoury stands for and is trying to do, there is a of secret weapons; well, they aren't really great sense of achievement. Of course secret – their names can be found on the there is always more to be done; we aren't list of Council Members, Trustees and perfect – who is? - and you may think that those who take on the various jobs which there are things we could do which we keep the P.T.A. running. Without them I don't, or vice versa. However, the next don't know how any President would time you find yourself thinking "Why manage. They have my personal thanks as doesn't the Council...?", try thinking well as those I extend on your behalf. "Why don't I...?" and stand for election. You A while back, someone on the would be made very welcome and, who Pianolist made reference to the high quality knows, you may even have fun! You will of the Conventions, especially considering certainly make friends. Elections are at the the size of the P.T.A. in comparison to A.G.M. on the 14th May 2011 at the Lion other professional bodies. I really do think Hotel, Worksop. that anyone attending a Convention could Finally, I'd like to wish those of you well assume that it was run by a much who are coming to Worksop a truly larger organisation; yet it is largely put enjoyable and memorable Convention. I'll together by two people in their spare (!) see you there. time. Similarly, the day to day running of the Association and other P.T.A. benefits Best wishes, such as the publication you are currently holding in your hand are easily taken for Keith. granted, but have to be someone's PTA/STEINWAY STUDY DAY 14th October 2011 This will be a one-off chance to meet and hear Bill Shull of California, one of the leading authorities on early Steinway pianos, talking about the history and restoration of these instruments. The fee for the day will be £45.00 per head for Members and £65.00 for non-members. Do bring a non -P.T.A. Tuner if you can! Details and booking form in the next issue. Put the date in your diary now!!

April 2011 5 Membership News We welcome PTA Member: Annette Summers 1217 Mr Howard Martin 20 Mariners Way MALDON Essex CM9 6YW Tel: 07887 518416

a new Associate: A85 Mr DA Murphy 1 Deramore Park Moira CRAIGAVON, County Armagh BT67 0QF Tel: 028 9261 0634 Email: [email protected]

and the following students: S337 Mr AJ Nonis 1 Newport Cottages, Beckesbourne Hill, CANTERBURY Kent CT4 5EF Tel: 01227 830846

S338 Ms SL James 52 Meldrum Crescent, NEWARK NG24 4NZ Tel: 01636 650420

S339 Mr M Kedracki 35 Clarence Street, BURTON-ON-TRENT Staffordshire DE14 3LG Tel: 075115 22381

S340 Rie Michishita 7 Brocas Terrace, Eton, WINDSOR SL4 6BS Tel: 07804 270555

S341 Mr I Poston 2 Willowbrook, Longden, SHREWSBURY Shropshire SY5 8EX Tel: 07968 823363

S342 Mr W Nuth 15 Elizabeth Way, Gamlingay, SANDY Bedfordshire SG19 3NH Tel: 01767 650087

S343 Mr S Pringle 8 El Marosa, Coxmoor Road, SUTTON IN ASHFIELD NG17 5LF Tel: 01623 551788

S344 Ms L Willis 12 Francis Street, LINCOLN LN1 3EJ Tel: 01522 800595 6 Membership News continued on Page 8

Membership News Continued

S345 Mr B G Elsey 47 Ambergate Street, Kennington, LONDON SE17 3RY Tel: 07786 740358

S346 Mr S Grant 80 Haslington Road, Ashway Park, Peel Hall, Wythenshawe MANCHESTER M22 5HU Tel: 0161 436 8639

S335 Mr CR Brown 3 Church Glebe, Middlewood, SHEFFIELD S6 1XA Tel: 0114 2335618

S333 Lynne Montague 49 Clovelly Road, Ealing, LONDON W5 5HF Tel: 020 8840 1053 or 07834 523430

S334 Miss F Horsey 6 Mallorie Park Drive, RIPON HG4 2QD Tel: 01765 605178

S336 Ms LE Bolger 6 Ridgeway on the Hill, Ambergate, DERBYSHIRE DE56 2LA Tel: 01773 85232 or 07841 870219 New PTA Patron: Mr Charles Bozen, Head of Acoustic Division,Yamaha Music Europe GmbH (UK)

Applications for PTA Membership have been received from: Mr J Crouch, TUNBRIDGE WELLS Mr D Daniels, Castleton, ROCHDALE Mr IR Kilpatrick, Girton, CAMBRIDGE

Please note these changes to the PTA Year Book: S300 Ralph Brice has moved to: 1 Ellis House, Ashwood Mews, ST ALBANS Herts AL1 2AR Tel: 01727 859238 or 07907 573343

S317 Patrick Symes has moved to: Flat 17, Eavesham House, Old Ford Road, Bethnal Green LONDON E2 9PN

S326 Salvatore Fama is now at: 1 Castle Brewery Court, NEWARK NG24 4ED

H805 Bill Kreis now uses his fax number 01234 309877 as his telephone. Please delete the number 01234 267896 8 S313 Elb Hall has the following email address: [email protected]

1136 Mr AP Storer’s address should read: 33 Radcliffe Drive, DERBY DE22 3LB

Changes to the PTA Secretary using the contact details on Page 27 Jonny Pearson PTA Patron and our great friend, Jonny Pearson has died. Jonny was a very successful composer, pianist and music producer. He was very active in the PTA in the 1980’s and 1990’s and played piano at a number of Conventions, sometimes with his great friend and long time PTA Member John Spice, who died last year. Those PTA conventions will be remembered as some of the very best, thanks largely to Jonny and his great entertainment. He will be missed very much by us but remembered with very fond memories. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his Family and loved ones. The next issue of PTA News will have a full obituary for Jonny. BROADWOODS Can provide detailed information about their grand, upright or square pianos made from the year 1817. Usually we can confirm the date of manufacture, the name and address of the first purchaser and provide outline technical details of each instrument. FOR FURTHER DETAILS PHONE (01580) 212713

John Broadwood & Sons Ltd. ESTABLISHED 1728 Finchcocks, Goudhurst, Kent, TN17 1HH.

April 2011 9 STUDENTS’ PAGES If you’re a student, graduate, or are just starting out, then this section is for you First of all, a big warm welcome to all our new PTA Students! Here at the PTA we really want to keep encouraging you in your chosen profession and very much value your input. So how can you make the most of the PTA? Well, here are some tips for you: Don’t put this to one side and never read it! Make the most of tips and knowlage by reading these Magazines every time they arrive. Try to attend the seminars and training that we put on. PTA Conventions are especially useful because you get to choose from different classes and to meet and make contacts with loads of people in the trade. Don’t forget that the PTA run a couple of schemes which can help you financially if you wish to attend conventions etc. There’ll be more about these in another PTA News but in the meantime you can contact the Secretary (p.27) for more information. The PTA has an excellent library service which could be an extremely useful resource for you during your studies. The PTA Year Book includes all the titles, instructions and contact details. All you pay is the price of postage! Join the ‘pianolist’, the PTA email discussion forum. If you have a query, problem or get stuck on some work just submit a question and you should receive lots of responses to help you. Contact Paul Fox at [email protected] to join. Be positive about the PTA. It’s easy to moan about it but much more useful to use it and to get involved. All the above benefits are included in your student subscription. Outside of college it’s your most useful resourse. By that I don’t only mean whilst you’re at college but afterwards. Make some contacts and get involved in the PTA now and you’ll never be on your own. MG WANTED: Student writer for PTA News Our current writer, Geoff Carverhill has done an excellent job of keeping us up to date with his course at Newark over the last 2 years. However he will be graduating this Summer and we really need another writer. Could you keep us up to date as you progress with your course? Whether you are new to college or further along the course we would love to hear from you. Write as little or as much as you like every two months and take some photos to show us if you like. Please email the Editor at [email protected] or write to me at the address at the bottom of Page 3. This is your chance to get involved. Renner Comes To Town Post graduate course presented by Renner UK A free 2 day seminar is open to all those who have graduated from any college course during the past 4 years and those who are due to graduate this year. It will be held at Newark Technical College on the 16th and 17th June

For further details contact David Fry at [email protected] 10 NEWARK COLLEGE NEWS – MARCH STUDENTS’ PAGES Spring is here – well the Spring Term at least, and first, second and third years filling every available space in our group of buildings collectively known as the ‘ and Repair’ school. Course tutor John Lord has accommodated us, so that each year is using each of the available tuning booths or workshops in turn, so that we don’t tread on each others’ toes, by employing a kind of musical chairs rota system! Two weeks have passed since the college had its scheduled OFSTED inspection, which went well. We passed! Last week, we were visited by PTA luminaries Nigel Donovan and Paul Fox, who were anxious to point out to new (and old) students the benefits of PTA Membership. After presenting John Webster finishing off the treble their case to the first year group on the Allison Grand in the morning, it was the second and third year’s turn in the afternoon. Various discussions ensued. There has always been, and probably always will be, opinions at odds with each other as to what should be the correct scale of charges for tuning, and what the criteria should be for instigating those charges. The general consensus is that the levels are way too low for the worth and skill of a qualified piano tuner, but as Nigel Donovan pointed out, the PTA is not a trade association, and can therefore only act as an advisory body, collating information from the membership in order to form a picture of pricing nationwide, based on cost of living, Gavin Crooks listening to radio 3 whilst operational costs, etc. A restringing the Bluthner patent piano number of valid points were made by students... too many to print here, but the upshot and consensus by Paul and Nigel, and students, was that we should not undervalue ourselves as piano tuner/technicians! It has been and is still felt by students that until they have been a fully fledged tuner for at least two years after Stuart Grant and Salvatore Fama qualifying, have taken the PTA preparing grand parts for polishing test and have been accepted for full membership, the benefits are not significant. However, there has also been an ongoing debate as to why we have to wait for two years? The answer that we can “get into bad habits, or lose techniques that have been learned” does not hold water with some students. Why not allow students to take a test when we qualify, and then re-test us after two years to ensure a consistency in technique and professional standards. Just a thought for ongoing discussion. Peter Roscoe demonstrating toning Thanks anyway to Nigel and Paul for taking the time to visit us. hammers on an upright action Some of us will be attending the convention this year and are looking forward to the seminars and meeting other piano technicians. GEOFF CARVERHILL Please send in your photos, stories and messages to the Students’ Pages April 2011 11 Dealers In The Spotlight

Name of Dealership: Reigate Piano Workshop Ltd Location of Dealership: 46b Albert Road North, Reigate, Surrey RH2 9EL Contact Details: Derek Love 01737 242174 E-Mail: www.pianoworkshop.co.uk

1. How did you get into the Piano Trade and how long has your shop or dealership been established?

I started in the piano business in 1974 by exporting pianos to Italy from around the country (we were young). This I did for 8 years. I then moved to Reigate and acquired a small workshop in 1983 where I started restoring pianos while gaining experience with The Piano Workshop in London.

2. Tell us a bit more about your shop and staff

In 2008 we moved from small premises to our ample 4,500 sq ft showroom and we have over 100 pianos on display. We have a fully equipped workshop where we can undertake all restoration and repairs and we are now venturing into key covering at the beginning of April. We also have facilities for storing pianos. We have a purpose built soundproofed studio where the ABRSM Examinations are held 3 times a year and 2 other practice rooms for hire. I have been very fortunate to have brilliant staff: Malcolm Parrott, an ex- Steinway/Welmar man keeps the workshop functioning and busy, Toni Freed the polisher has been with us for 20 years and we have many great tuners!

3. What range of pianos do you sell and why have you chosen that range?

We have been restoring pianos for 29 years but when we moved in 2008 we were able to stock a comprehensive selection of new pianos as well. We decided on: Steinmayer Weber for the budget option. Wendl & Lung uprights and grands for their exceptional quality at an affordable price. Hoffman & Bechstein for exceptional quality and a well respected brand in the UK. Kembles speak for themselves, having a mellow tone and exceptional casework. We chose our top brand Grotrian Steinweg, not so well known in the UK, but their build, touch and finish is perfect. 4. Do you pay commission under the PTA Sales Encouragement Scheme and have you any suggestions as to how tuners can encourage new or second hand piano sales?

We do not do the PTA scheme but many tuners pass customers on to us and are rewarded. They are an invaluable resource for us. The tuners need to be honest and if the pi- ano is old and beyond tuning they would suggest a replacement.

5. How is business? Have you noticed the recession? If so, have you made any changes to combat it?

Last year was an exceptional year. The jury is still out this year but January and February have been very good. We have several strings to our bow – storage, customer restoration, key covering, practice and teaching rooms and removal to name but a few.

6. What are your views on the Electric V’s Acoustic piano debate and how do you defend real pianos when posed that question by clients?

No defending – we suggest customers try both and decide for themselves. We stress there is nothing like a real piano though and the silent systems that we fit are becoming a very popular cross-over.

7. Tell us about your own piano in your own home, whether you play it and what you play

Easy – I do not own a piano at home!

8. If you could have any piano made in the world what would it be?

The best I have come across is the range of Grotrian Steinweg Grands and we just happen to have a fine example on show!

9. Which is the worst piano you’ve ever come across and why?

A Steck upright that I dropped from a lorry in Plymouth in 1976 and nearly squashed me!

10. How do you see the piano industry moving forward in the next decade or so?

The various silent systems will become very popular. Otherwise, pianos are timeless and will march on with only the casework changing. Many thanks to Derek Love of The Piano Workshop, Reigate To be featured in ‘Dealers in the Spotlight’ just contact the Editor, details Page 3 April 2011 13 Using An Electronic Tuning Device Our training Is it for you? Adrian Carpenter and our testing for PTA Membership is is a Hewlett Packard iPAQ, of which based on aural tuning. there are several models. For many younger readers and those Nevertheless, many PTA for whom the cyber-age holds no terrors, Members use an Electronic Tuning the following will not be any sort of Device (ETD), and for some of barrier to owning a software based ETD. them it is now their principal The cost might be! The software for my means of tuning. system was over £800, whilst the PDA I am pretty sure I am the least expert was around £200, and I would thoroughly user of all. This is partly because I have recommend buying the stand which was only owned my system for a few months, designed for my system, a brilliant piece and have only very recently begun to use of kit…another £80. it in earnest. It is partly because I am You can order a PDA either new or hopelessly incompetent at anything to do secondhand. (I must say that given the with computers. You may well ask why I overall cost of your investment, a new one am writing this article and not someone with no-one else’s baggage on it would for whom an ETD is a breeze. My seem sensible). Mine came with just a reasoning is that talking about my general DVD as its instruction manual, which was lack of understanding and my difficulties not as user-friendly as the ETD’s own in getting to grips with the system may material. I could not work out even how well be of some help to others who are to switch it on and had to post it off to the toying with the idea of ‘going digital’. supplier of my device who kindly set up You will notice that I have twice the whole thing for me. It is a touch- referred to my ETD as ‘a system’. Let me screen device and you need good eyesight explain why. When I began to see the to read its often small digits, though its adverts for my ETD in Europiano, PTA main displays, when running the ETD, are News and other places, they always big and clear. pictured a device. Therefore I assumed I ordered the ETD software, which my ETD would come in a box, have an arrived in the form of a ‘Sentinel Key’. ‘on’ switch, and be ready to go. But no. Small though it is, therein lies all the Whereas some other Electronic Tuning ETD’s intellectual property, and thus it is Devices are indeed self-contained the most valuable bit. I also got a couple hardware-plus-software units, my version of DVDs which showed practical classes is a software package only, and needs a in using the system. These are a bit ‘vehicle’ or a ‘platform’ to run on. Other amateurish in production and a bit cheaper software-only systems are rambling, but nevertheless very helpful. available, and it is rumoured you can even The instruction book is excellent. A quartz get a tuning app for your mobile phone. metronome/tuner, which is named a My own ETD was originally designed to ‘Cyber Fork’, is also included. More run on a lap-top, but as that is unwieldy, about that in a minute. the Pocket software was developed to run Your new PDA, which is a mini- on a Personal Data Assistant (PDA). It is computer, is a quite sophisticated gadget rather assumed that the PDA you will buy with, for instance, Bluetooth and wi-fi

14 capability. Before loading the ETD and adjusts itself to this new, super- programme you will need to disable these, accurate pitch. Speaking personally, I find along with the sound-recording facility. this mating procedure rather crude. There You will also need to reconfigure it so that seems to be a mis-match between the its screen brightness and battery power sophistication of the cyber-world and the settings do not run it down during a day’s ordinariness of a cheap-and-cheerful tuning. quartz metronome/tuner that anyone can You can now stick your Sentinel Key buy for a few quid at the local music shop. into your PDA and download the It’s as if a princess has taken a beggar for programme. But we are not quite there her lover! yet! The company does not, That aside, you may or may not wish understandably, want its programme to take all the setting-up procedures into loaded willy-nilly into any old PDA. (If account when deciding what sort of you could, they’d only sell one copy electronic tuner to buy. Do you want a which we’d all filch!) You have to obtain, dedicated ‘box’ where all that work is at this stage, the serial number of your done for you? Or are you confident in own PDA which appears on-screen as a your ability to navigate through computer- longish string of up to 20 characters. You based procedures? Bear in mind too that now have to go online to the company’s my own computer based ETD is a own website and submit a form with the developing product, and free serial number you have just found PLUS downloadable updates will be available the equally long code which came with from time to time. This is clearly a bonus, your Sentinel Key. Within 36 hours, they but the thought of plugging in and doing it will reply with your Activation Code may not appeal to everyone. I, as a self- (which I guess is a scrambled version of confessed computer-illiterate, could not the two codes you have sent) and it is this have set the product up without the help which will finally render your ETD usable. of the suppliers and various family Well, almost. The ETD needs to be members; and I must say the process calibrated in order to produce an exact caused me quite a lot of bother and not a reference, and this is where your little anxiety. On the other hand, someone Cyber Fork comes in. The calibration who is cyber-savvy could have got the procedure is clearly described in the whole thing up-and-running (apart from manual, which explains that the sounding waiting for the Activation Code) in about ‘A’ produced by your Cyber Fork has been half-an-hour. And downloads will be a very accurately checked by superior piece of cake. I should add that there is equipment and found to differ from very good support for my product via its 440Hz by a measured amount. This ‘offset’ own website, where there is also a forum is written on a label on the back. My for discussion about it and its use. offset was +0.73 cents. With the device now set to calibration mode, the offset Using my ETD amount is entered, and the Cyber Fork is switched on and physically pressed For those who haven’t used an ETD against the PDA so that its speaker is or even seen one, I will just give a brief touching the microphone. The software description of how mine does its job. ‘listens’, does a few ‘blushes’ (see later), Firstly, via a screen, it asks you to sample

April 2011 15 E.T.D’s continued some A-s compass as some cheap chromatic tuners throughout the do. compass of the It is beyond the scope of this article to piano. From go into the many functions of my ETD, these samples it but I have just described a Fine Tuning, works out the i.e. one where the pitch of the piano is of close enough not to need a pitch-change. the instrument. It My ETD will also do a Pitch-Raise for also measures you, calculating as you proceed how much and displays the overpull to apply. An in-between function pitch of the gives a sort of halfway house where a sampled notes piano that is off pitch by a few cents, and which will help in deciding what sort of for which you might normally think about tuning procedure you are going to adopt a pitch-raise, can be tuned in a single pass next. You then press ‘calculate’ and move and still end up sounding very good on to the screen you use whilst actually indeed. (Many other users of my device tuning. Putting it at its simplest the ETD apparently keep this as their default mode has already taken into account ‘stretch’ because of its excellent results.) For this and has worked out the pitch for every and for Pitch Raise modes, you will be note on the piano. (At this point you can asked to enter some extra information save this information in a tuning file, about the disposition of the strings which identifying the instrument by its make, will help the ETD to calculate any over- serial number, its owner and much else pull or under-pull. besides. This means that next time you It is perfectly possible just to use my tune the instrument you can bypass all the ETD at the basic level just described. As sampling and cut to the chase.) with many digital gadgets (ranging from The display screen used when tuning phones to satnavs, even to wrist-watches) has a ‘spinner’ which rotates clockwise or there is a plethora of functions which are anti- there for the geeks but can be safely clockwise ignored by people like me. There is to indicate however one decision which, as a thinking sharpness tuner, you may want to make. That or flatness. concerns Octave Tuning Style (OTS). When the Tuning aurally you may wish to tune spinner is ‘clean’ octaves, making the 1st of almost the upper note beatless with the second stationary harmonic of the lower note. This takes a ‘blush’ into account the natural ‘stretch’ of the will fill the instrument. My device gives me a range screen to of 8 different Octave Tuning Styles where indicate that the note is exactly in tune. 1 is clean and 8 is considerably As you move to the next note, the ETD overstretched. The manual recommends will follow you up in semitones (or OTS 4 for starters and this may well down…or not at all if you instruct it) but accord with your own preferences. For will not detect random notes in the piano’s me, it produces a treble that is too 16 sharp…though this sharpness is achieved Reasons for going electronic progressively throughout the upper Before putting pen to paper I asked octaves and not as a sudden tweak. I regular ETD users (via the ‘pianolist’ and mention this because an ETD of any sort privately) their reasons for deciding to use will not necessarily tell you to tune a piano an ETD. Most replies came from users of in a way that is set-in-stone. Using it the same device of my own, though not all. unthinkingly will probably satisfy 95% of Quicker tuning? your customers, but maybe not all… and, One reply said ‘quicker’, two said ‘the more importantly, maybe not you. same’ and all the rest said it was a bit slower. My ETD and me More accurate tuning? No-one actually admitted it was more After 30 years of aural tuning, it was accurate (!) but the gist of replies was that only to be expected that embarking on the it was consistently accurate. electronic route would be a challenge. Less stress? Starting to tune on bottom A and working The point was made that an ETD does up from there came as a shock! I had an not get tired at the end of the day. I got urge to do all my old checks and balances the impression that this was one of the along the way, just to be sure the ETD chief reasons for ‘going electronic’. One was behaving. Consequently I found Member even said he was able to do 8 or 9 myself taking about twice as long to get tunings a day. (Gulp.) through a tuning. I also found that the Easier tuning in a noisy environment? long developed brain-pathways between Most said ‘yes’ but one said his device ear and tuning lever did not work quite so was affected by noise. (Maybe it depends well between eye and lever. I found what sort of noise.) myself at first so anxious to get the spinner Worries about future or present stationary and to achieve the magic ‘blush’, hearing loss? that my stability went to the dogs. Everyone said this was a factor, but Everything improves with practice, and I for some an ETD is a life-line. dare say more adaptable people will need Easier pitch-changes? less practice than I. My ETD tuning has Most said their ETD was brilliant at become quicker, though not as quick as this, making a very accurate ‘first pass’. my aural tuning. My stability is back to Personally I have always used a cheap normal and I am generally satisfied with chromatic tuner (Seiko) which, coupled the outcome. At the moment I use the with a bit of judgement and guesswork, ETD when I am not in a rush, often for the does the business. last morning appointment when only my Tuning 2 pianos together? lunch-break will suffer. I just let it get on There was mixed opinion here. The with the job and trust in its results. I have pocket version of my ETD does not have a not yet used it for a concert tuning. PTA dedicated function for this, whereas earlier Members have been incredibly helpful lap-top versions do. Some have used it (via the ‘pianolist’, the PTA internet with success, others are less sure. discussion forum) in giving advice…even Use with ear-protection? if one or two have been incredulous at my This major bonus was mentioned in technophobia. five replies. Continued on Page 19

April 2011 17

ETD’s continued Tuning unisons accurately? use it all the time, most still do some aural My impression is that nearly all users tuning. tune unisons by ear. A few mentioned My final hang-up is using it in front that tuning each string of very high treble of customers. Most users say that it notes separately produced good results. presents no problem, and they have I’m not convinced, especially as my developed various ways of ‘selling it’ to device has trouble, as we do, with very their customers if challenged. I have a false strings. sneaking suspicion that a few of my Curiosity? clients will regard it as ‘cheating’ and I Well, I’m the only one posing that have yet to work out my ‘spiel’ for question and answering it. I have to admit dealing with any loss of faith on their that being a bit flush after a pricey part! restoration job, I forked out for one because I wanted to know what it was all Adrian is very happy for anyone to about. A good reason for getting one? contact him directly for more information about his Electronic Conclusion Tuning Device. Email him at Without exception the ETD users I [email protected] contacted are complete converts. They all Alternatively, if you have any speak very highly of their device as an comments or thoughts about the article accurate and useful tool which, when the or ETD’S in general, please do write or chips are down, can be relied on to email PTA News. produce consistently good tunings. Some PTA Council Report The meeting of the Executive Matthew Gough Council was held on 26th March at Morleys, Lewisham. Members in the hope of presenting a final Present were Keith Owen, John draft. Lambert, Andrew Jamieson, Annette The PTA accounts are ready for Summers, Barry Caradine, Colin presentation to the AGM at Worksop in Crawford, Brian Frost, Matthew Gough May. and Tania Staite. Discussion took place about the Apologies were received from Graham various levels of subscriptions for next Cantrill, Jeff Prett and Rick Ohlendorf. year and agreement was reached. Laura Jamieson attended the first part Three tests have taken place and there of the meeting in order to give a report on was one pass. progress of the draft paper of the PTA There have been a further three ‘Code Of Conduct’. In a very useful applications for Membership and tests session, Laura was able to answer many will be arranged. questions and to explain much of the Applications have now closed for the wording and reasoning behind it. Laura Convention in May at Worksop. Hereford will now work with other Council is booked for 2012. The centenary Convention will be in Bournemouth in 2013. Continued Overleaf April 2011 19 PTA Council Report Continued The idea of a number of College benefits of the PTA to new students as reunions was discussed to coincide with well as meeting with those students who our 2013 centenary year. These would be have already joined us. We are very special lunches and take place around the grateful to Paul and Nigel. 8 students various college areas, including those joined there and then and we warmly colleges no longer running courses. welcome them. The ‘Recommended Minimum Tuning The next meeting of the Executive and Repair Price Calculations’ have been Council will be as soon as immediately dropped and will no longer be published. possible following the AGM on 14th May The Council feels they are not sustainable at the Worksop Convention. in the present economic climate. A full copy of these minutes is There will be a Steinway Seminar on available from the PTA Secretary. 14th October. Paul Fox and Nigel Donovan have attended Newark College to introduce the Meet The PTA At Newark Paul Fox On March 9th Nigel D and I It's really nice talking visited the hallowed portals of with the First Year group. They are adventurers going up the Amazon of Newark Tech College (the best Learning, stopping off on the jetties title, nothing flash like Lincoln of..., tuning stability, chipping Belvoir University of Life In The up, muting strips and scales on the way. A Midlands (Newark Branch)) and large range of brand new things to tackle, ventured up Mount Lane like we all with vigour and enthusiasm. A whole have done so many times in the new world for them. past. We were there to proclaim the importance of belonging to a professional Association plus the camaraderie and value of support, to two groups of students all embarking on a journey to end up where a lot of us are now, as professional tuners, plying a trade and visiting homes up and down the land, re- orientating harmonic imbalance on the strung backs of the populace's pride and joy and putting a bit of life back into The Newark 1st Year Group people's musical lives with little more Into this world we stepped bringing than a fork, a lever and a plastic (nylon) hope and encouragement by suggesting to chopstick. them that an Association made up of Continued overleaf 20 April 2011 21 Newark Meets The PTA Continued Piano Tuners and Technicians, repairers prices arrived at for the current year bear and rebuilders, like they aspire to be, can little relation to prices that one would offer them so much and why they really charge in order to maintain a good should belong to our band of acoustical standard of living commensurate with manipulators. being a professional in a skilled job. Well it's what one would call a no- Inflation based on a price from 1982 brainer really – you are a trainee piano multiplied by inflation in varying numbers, tuner, there is a Trade Association which doesn't seem to keep pace with what we will always be there to help, train, experience in the real world (see 'Old Age advance knowledge, provide support, Pension'). I know there was a huge insurance, advice and most of all be a spreadsheet done a while ago on this but it portal to reliable contact with a lot of like- still doesn't really stack up with what one minded people. Simply listen to the chat would like to earn. (It should be noted on who we are and why we exist and sign that the guide price "is considered to be on the dotted line - 3 years as a PTA the lowest possible amount compatible Student for just £10. That's 2 packs of with a successful business") fags for those still hooked or about 1½ The take-up rate on this later session pints of beer the last time I bought a round. was far below that of the earlier one, the For THREE YEARS, no other payment to gathered number were less receptive to belong. We came away with quite a good our promotion of the PTA and seemed list of new joiners from these eager reluctant to see benefit over their own buddies, so welcome to those and I hope perceived ideas. Pity really as I think they they enjoy the ride, you're now on board would benefit, speaking from personal and I trust that will be so for the experience. I wish I'd joined at that stage remainder of your career. and kept up with the refreshment offered We also spent time later, with the by a Convention since the drop off of the second year students and some 3rd years standard, post college, is so often reflected that we'd met last time we were there. We by test results of newbies coming to join hadn't met the 2nd years before and the PTA. Maybe after a little time, a little during this talk there was some confusion more thought and putting ill-conceived over the guide price for tuning rates in the prejudices aside they will once again pick YB which we did discuss at some length. up the application form and sign up to It transpired that the guide price is become Students of the Association. We more confusing than advisory and on that will always welcome you in and you are basis we decided that perhaps it ought to very much part of the whole whatever be removed from the YB since the actual your chosen status within the PTA.

22 Wow! In an incredibly spontanious and ‘unstaged’ moment, more of the Newark first years discover the wonderful benefit of the PTA News! Retail Tales Dogs legs, piano stools and relocation - Kevin Brice

“Pressed Rat and Warthog cloth I have other less closed down their shop salacious things to think They didn’t want to, it was all about. Like where the hell am I they had got. going to put all my stuff? I’ve made contingency plans of course for any Selling atonal apples and unsold stock but ideally I need a nice little amplified heat workshop where I can continue to do And Pressed Rat’s collection of repairs, restoration and sell the odd piano dog’s legs and feet” from. So go the immortal, deeply intellectual Being a baby boomer from the first lines of one of Cream’s more dodgy austere early 1950’s and having a sharp songs on the renowned late 60’s album eye for a bargain I took advantage of an “Wheels of fire”. offer by a distributor of piano stools who Rat and Warthog might well not have I’ve dealt with for some time. Suffice to wanted to close down their shop, and in say I now have enough stools to supply all some ways nor do I. But strangely with the piano owners of the Northern only four weeks to go I’m beginning to hemisphere. I’m thinking of starting a smell the sweet air of freedom in my brand new enterprise called “Put your nostrils. Freedom from all the silly bum on that, Ltd.” pathetic beurocracy which has been well Yesterday I was out tuning in documented in this grumpy column, Hertford and passed the turning to a freedom from manning the shop on village called Tewin where I had a Saturdays and some evenings, from workshop on a farm prior to moving to excessive business rates which have my current shop premises in St. Albans. I nothing to do with providing local loved being there in a pastoral setting and services (they won’t even take away a left only for the challenge of running an black bag of rubbish), from the pain of enterprise in a less rural location with its being constantly undercut by the bigger obvious advantages i.e. not having to boys (in my book any mug can sell a give punters directions like “left at the piano cheap) and not least from snooty Rose & Crown, go past two cows, down a and pushy Hertfordshire punters who tiny muddy lane, take the next right just want a second-hand piano to be like a new before the Plume of Feathers”. one and a new one to be the same price as I determined to call in at the farmhouse on a second-hand one. my way back to see if maybe, just maybe, I wrote in my previous offering that there might be a unit there which might “my last Kawai is arriving in two days suit my now scaled down purposes. time”. That turned out to be a very Well, blow me down, knock me over welcome underestimation of the demand with a feather guv’nor, as well as the for new pianos and I sold that one, then its present farmer knowing all about my replacement, and that one’s replacement previous, apparently legendary (the mind and so merrily on. There’s nothing like boggles) tenure over thirteen years ago it going out with a bang. turned out that my old workshop had just I believe that’s what the actress said become available for occupancy again. No to the bishop but unlike the man of the brainer! Continued on page 25 April 2011 23

Retail TalesContinued And there we have it. Pressed Rat and optimistic dreams I’m reopening my old Warthog may have closed down their one. surrealistic shop but beyond my most DVD Review Angela Hewitt- Bach Performance on the Piano Review by Matthew Gough This 2 DVD set was the Chromatic Fantasy and Fugue in D released in 2008 and is minor. a treat, not only It will come as no surprise that the because it contains a piano used is a beautiful Fazioli concert recital and a lecture by Grand. I was immediately struck by the Angela but also unique sound of the instrument which has because it is filmed at a solid and powerful tone but also great the Fazioli Factory in evenness throughout its range. It looks Sacile, Italy. pretty eye catching too, with its striking The first DVD is entitled ‘Bach birds eye maple rim. Performance on the Piano’ and is a lecture The Partita is played with great stride filmed in various parts of the Fazioli and confidence by Angela, whom we Factory on different pianos. It’s certainly often see twice, once at the piano and interesting to see how many bits and bobs once reflected on the underside of the of equipment you can spot! piano lid; well, you can never get too Angela really tells you everything you much of a good thing! need to know about playing Bach but her The Sarabande certainly shows off the great knowledge is valuable generally, no subtlety in expression mixed with the matter what you choose to play. For solidity of tone beautifully, and the piano example, her tips on ‘phrasing’ and never seems too bright. ‘expression’ can be applied to any piece of In the Menuet section, Angela seems music we perform on our beloved pianos. to revel in the strict timing, whilst in the Of course, Bach composed most of Gigue she really lets rip and seems to his work on and there is a have a sparkling twinkle in her eye; her fascinating section comparing enjoyment is infectious! Harpsichord with modern piano. The very apt Italian Concerto is Angela considers Bach to be essential equally enthralling. Angela speeds for any serious piano student to study and through the allegro like a steam train that her great love for Bach and his music ends its journey far too soon. The wistful really shines through. Andante reminds me of the Hamlet We can see just how much she knows adverts, it’s so relaxing and calming. The on disc 2 where she plays live in concert Presto meanwhile, starts with such a at the Fazioli Concert Hall in front of an flourish it’s more ‘Hey’ Presto! It carries audience. on in that vain for the next three minutes. The pieces are Parita No .4 in D major, The only problem is that it’s miles too Italian Concerto in F major and finally, short – blame Bach.

April 2011 Continued overleaf 25 Angela Hewitt Continued So finally to the brilliantly named I’m sure this performance would Chromatic Fantasy and Fugue. In have made Bach very proud as, indeed, watching Angela I was totally captivated. Fazioli should be. Composer, piano and She really expresses the phrasing and pianist in perfect unison. Superb! surprises in the music wonderfully with I suggest you buy your own copy her own head movements and expressions. immediately. Head banging for classical piano? – this is it! Many thanks to Paul Spencer You really can’t fail to grasp the emotion as Angela raises her her arms for the loan of the DVD. It gave aloft for the last time. me many hours of enjoyment. Trade News

Brian Kemble We have some exiting models in the MBE has become pipeline and a clear vision of the future. Managing Director The long tradition of Bösendorfer – the of Bösendorfer foundation of European sound – will having been continue to be respected and built on.’ deputy Managing Former MD, Yoshichika (Mike) Sakai Director since last will work to enhance the manufacturer’s October. Brian said reputation worldwide as he carries on his ‘ It is a tremendous career within Yamaha’s piano group. honour for me to be entrusted with such a Meanwhile in the UK, Mike Ketley gem of the piano world. My goal will be has now been promoted to Managing to use my 30 years of experience within Director of Yamaha Music Europe GmbH the piano industry to drive the company (UK). forward by working tirelessly with my His position as ‘Head of Acoustic dedicated Austrian staff to further Division’ is now taken by Charles Bozen. strengthen the position of Bösendorfer. Letters

This is a solution for tuning oblong pins at various angles. The fixed hammer head 'bend' was heated to red heat before gripping the head in a vice. It was then possible to turn the handle through 90°.

Gordon Nelson (1031)

26 PTA DIARY Please note these dates for your diary:

11th-14th May 2011 PTA Convention The Lion Hotel, Worksop, Notts Contact Annette for more info.

Friday 14th October PTA/Steinway Study Day Details and Booking Form with next Issue of PTA News

For enquiries, PTA goods, changes of address or contact details: Mrs Annette Summers PTA Secretary PO Box 1312 Lightwater WOKING GU18 5UB Tel: 0845 602 8796 or 01276 850325 E-Mail: [email protected] IN THE NEXT ISSUE OF PTA NEWS: The Convention Issue! Lots of photos and reports about the classes. DEADLINE FOR ARTICLES: FRIDAY 20th May Articles, letters and photos to: [email protected] or to address on page 3. Please email photos separately to articles. Photo Finish

In a feature soon to be renamed ‘Eris Pets’, we are pleased to introduce you to ‘Ms Sandy’ As I’m sure you know by now, Eri Onami lives and works in Hong Kong and she says that this beautiful Bösendorfer Grand is a favourite of hers, as well as Ms Sandy’s!

April 2011 27