April 2011

Electronic Tuning DevicesAngela Hewitt at FazioliThe Piano Workshop, Reigate

Thankfully, things have moved on since 1975! Read how Adrian Carpenter got on with hisbrand new Electronic Tuning Device inside.

Smart,Simple,Accurate.Consistent auralquality tunings for allexperience levels.Easy historicaltemperaments. Fast,precise pitch raises.

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April 2011 3

The next deadline for PTA News isFriday 20th May 2011.

PTA News is the Newsletter for the PianoforteTuners’ Association. All views expressed are those ofthe contributors and do not necessarily reflect theviews of the PTA or the editorial team.

Please address letters intended for publication to‘The Editor’, preferably sent via email, computer diskor typed. If by email or disc please send photos

separately to the text. Items can only be returned ifaccompanied by an SAE. Please obtain the necessarypermission before submitting copyrighted items.

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For your advertising in PTA News, at very reasonable rates, please contact:Tania Staite, Flat 8, Deepdene, 15 Streatham Common Northside, London, SW16 3HQ.

Copy may then be emailed to the Editor at:ptanews@pianotuner.org.uk

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

New Students at Newark: Page 20 The Piano Workshop: Page 12

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What a fantastic time of year!The snow, ice and freezingconditions we sometimes have towork and travel in are behind us atlast and we can look forward to longspring and summer days.

Spring is a time for ‘new life’ and thatgot me thinking about how difficult some ofus find it to try out new things in ourprofession. Adrian Carpenter must becommended for giving an ElectronicTuning Device a go. It’s all too easy tocriticize these things before you’ve eventried them and many of our number findthem to be of great benefit. You can readhow Adrian got on with his new ETD inside.

For me, two new techniques have takenshape over the last year or so. For manyyears I have heard mumblings at PTAConventions about muting strips. Thegeneral consensus seemed to be that theywere thought of with disdain. Being anadvocate of using such a strip for setting thescale since leaving college, I have alwaysbeen uneasy about tuning without one.Although of course, one has to be extremelycareful if using it with Grands or uprightswith split dampers, the majority of mytunings don’t fall into that category and Isuppose the muting strip gave me a nicefeeling of comfort and security whilstsetting the scale and I assumed it was thequickest way.

After overhearing further derogatorycomments about the green baize at lastyears Bournemouth Convention, I decidedto take the bull by the horns andendeavoured to try tuning without one.

The scale took me much longer at firstas I lingered unsurely on the unisons of anote before moving on to the next interval,wanting to be as sure as possible that theunison was pure.

Gradually, I was able to speed up as myconfidence increased and my ears adjustedto hearing three strings of one note against

one wedged string ofanother in the scale area.

This necessity to achieve asuperb unison before moving on to the nextinterval has I feel, led to better unisonswithout the muting strip. Stability is anotherbenefit for the same reason, it is easier tomake a change to the scale by adjusting onestring per note than it is having to go backand adjust all three of each. So the result isthat I work harder to make sure each stringis really stable before moving on to the next.

I must say that I’m really glad that Ipersevered without the strip because I amcertain my tunings are better without it. Italso gives an odd feeling of liberation totune stripless!

There are occasions that I still use myneglected green friend, namely on difficultor unstable instruments, where as statedabove, having to repeatedly go back to tuneone string in a scale is quicker than tuningall three.

The second revelation was picked upfrom a tip by a lecturer at a convention class.Namely, to use a felt wedge when tuninggrand pianos instead of a rubber one. Sosimple and yet such a difference! I find thesound of the ‘speaking’ string to be somuch clearer and easy to hear. Incomparison, I now find the rubber wedge togive a rather dull, metallic and rather ‘thud’like sound. The felt one looks nicer too!The rubber one is used on really dirty pianosand also makes a good door stop!

I gather there are very few places left atthe Worksop Convention, but if you’requick you might be able to come.Who knows, even you could learnsomething new ;- )

Happy Tuning.....

Editorial Matthew Gough

April 2011 5

The President WritesKeith Owen

It seems barelypossible that I amnow approachingthe end of my firstyear as President.

The learning curve (or should I say theoctave stretch) has been steep, to say theleast. Fortunately I have a small armouryof secret weapons; well, they aren't reallysecret – their names can be found on thelist of Council Members, Trustees andthose who take on the various jobs whichkeep the P.T.A. running. Without them Idon't know how any President wouldmanage. They have my personal thanks aswell as those I extend on your behalf.

A while back, someone on thePianolist made reference to the high qualityof the Conventions, especially consideringthe size of the P.T.A. in comparison toother professional bodies. I really do thinkthat anyone attending a Convention couldwell assume that it was run by a muchlarger organisation; yet it is largely puttogether by two people in their spare (!)time. Similarly, the day to day running ofthe Association and other P.T.A. benefitssuch as the publication you are currentlyholding in your hand are easily taken forgranted, but have to be someone's

responsibility.Why do they do it?

Well, apart from a deep andabiding belief in everything the P.T.A.stands for and is trying to do, there is agreat sense of achievement. Of coursethere is always more to be done; we aren'tperfect – who is? - and you may think thatthere are things we could do which wedon't, or vice versa. However, the nexttime you find yourself thinking "Whydoesn't the Council...?", try thinking

"Why don't I...?" and stand for election. Youwould be made very welcome and, whoknows, you may even have fun! You willcertainly make friends. Elections are at theA.G.M. on the 14th May 2011 at the LionHotel, Worksop.

Finally, I'd like to wish those of youwho are coming to Worksop a trulyenjoyable and memorable Convention. I'llsee you there.

Best wishes,

Keith.

PTA/STEINWAY STUDY DAY14th October 2011

This will be a one-off chance to meet and hear Bill Shull ofCalifornia, one of the leading authorities on early Steinway pianos,

talking about the history and restoration of these instruments. Thefee for the day will be £45.00 per head for Members and £65.00 fornon-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!!

6

Membership NewsAnnette SummersWe welcome PTA Member:

1217 Mr Howard Martin 20 Mariners Way

MALDONEssex CM9 6YWTel: 07887 518416

a new Associate:A85 Mr DA Murphy

1 Deramore ParkMoiraCRAIGAVON, County Armagh BT67 0QFTel: 028 9261 0634 Email: davidmurphy2000@aol.com

and the following students:S337 Mr AJ Nonis

1 Newport Cottages, Beckesbourne Hill, CANTERBURY Kent CT4 5EFTel: 01227 830846

S338 Ms SL James52 Meldrum Crescent, NEWARK NG24 4NZTel: 01636 650420

S339 Mr M Kedracki35 Clarence Street, BURTON-ON-TRENT Staffordshire DE14 3LGTel: 075115 22381

S340 Rie Michishita7 Brocas Terrace, Eton, WINDSOR SL4 6BSTel: 07804 270555

S341 Mr I Poston2 Willowbrook, Longden, SHREWSBURY Shropshire SY5 8EXTel: 07968 823363

S342 Mr W Nuth15 Elizabeth Way, Gamlingay, SANDY Bedfordshire SG19 3NHTel: 01767 650087

S343 Mr S Pringle8 El Marosa, Coxmoor Road, SUTTON IN ASHFIELD NG17 5LFTel: 01623 551788

S344 Ms L Willis12 Francis Street, LINCOLN LN1 3EJTel: 01522 800595

Membership News continued on Page 8

8

Membership News ContinuedS345 Mr B G Elsey

47 Ambergate Street, Kennington, LONDON SE17 3RYTel: 07786 740358

S346 Mr S Grant80 Haslington Road, Ashway Park, Peel Hall, WythenshaweMANCHESTER M22 5HUTel: 0161 436 8639

S335 Mr CR Brown3 Church Glebe, Middlewood, SHEFFIELD S6 1XATel: 0114 2335618

S333 Lynne Montague49 Clovelly Road, Ealing, LONDON W5 5HFTel: 020 8840 1053 or 07834 523430

S334 Miss F Horsey6 Mallorie Park Drive, RIPON HG4 2QD Tel: 01765 605178

S336 Ms LE Bolger6 Ridgeway on the Hill, Ambergate, DERBYSHIRE DE56 2LATel: 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 WELLSMr D Daniels, Castleton, ROCHDALEMr 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 2ARTel: 01727 859238 or 07907 573343

S317 Patrick Symes has moved to:Flat 17, Eavesham House, Old Ford Road, Bethnal GreenLONDON 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

April 2011 9

BROADWOODSCan provide detailed information about theirgrand, upright or square pianos made from theyear 1817. Usually we can confirm the date ofmanufacture, the name and address of the firstpurchaser and provide outline technical detailsof each instrument.

FOR FURTHER DETAILS PHONE(01580) 212713

John Broadwood & Sons Ltd.ESTABLISHED 1728

Finchcocks, Goudhurst, Kent, TN17 1HH.

S313 Elb Hall has the following email address: elb@pianotuner.org.uk

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 PearsonPTA Patron and our great friend, Jonny Pearson has died. Jonny was

a very successful composer, pianist and music producer. He was veryactive in the PTA in the 1980’s and 1990’s and played piano at anumber of Conventions, sometimes with his great friend and long timePTA Member John Spice, who died last year. Those PTA conventionswill be remembered as some of the very best, thanks largely to Jonnyand his great entertainment. He will be missed very much by us butremembered with very fond memories. Our thoughts and prayers go outto his Family and loved ones. The next issue of PTA News will have afull obituary for Jonny.

10

STUDENTS’ PAGESIf 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 wereally want to keep encouraging you in your chosen profession and very much valueyour input. So how can you make the most of the PTA? Well, here are some tips foryou:

Don’t put this to one side and never read it! Make the most of tips and knowlage byreading these Magazines every time they arrive.Try to attend the seminars and training that we put on. PTA Conventions are especiallyuseful because you get to choose from different classes and to meet and make contactswith loads of people in the trade.Don’t forget that the PTA run a couple of schemes which can help you financially if youwish to attend conventions etc. There’ll be more about these in another PTA News but inthe meantime you can contact the Secretary (p.27) for more information.The PTA has an excellent library service which could be an extremely useful resourcefor you during your studies. The PTA Year Book includes all the titles, instructions andcontact details. All you pay is the price of postage!Join the ‘pianolist’, the PTA email discussion forum. If you have a query, problem or getstuck on some work just submit a question and you should receive lots of responses tohelp you. Contact Paul Fox at ironframe@talktalk.net to join.Be positive about the PTA. It’s easy to moan about it but much more useful to use it andto get involved. All the above benefits are included in your student subscription. Outsideof college it’s your most useful resourse. By that I don’t only mean whilst you’re atcollege but afterwards. Make some contacts and get involved in the PTA now and you’llnever 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 datewith his course at Newark over the last 2 years. However he will be graduating thisSummer and we really need another writer. Could you keep us up to date as youprogress with your course? Whether you are new to college or further along the coursewe would love to hear from you. Write as little or as much as you like every twomonths and take some photos to show us if you like. Please email the Editor atptanews@pianotuner.org.uk or write to me at the address at the bottom of Page 3. Thisis your chance to get involved.

Renner Comes To TownPost graduate course presented by Renner UK

A free 2 day seminar is open to all those who have graduated from any collegecourse 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 sales@renneruk.co.uk

April 2011 11

STUDENTS’ PAGESNEWARK COLLEGE NEWS – MARCHSpring is here –

well the SpringTerm at least, and first, second and third years filling everyavailable space in our group of buildings collectively known as the

‘Piano Tuning and Repair’ school. Course tutor John Lord hasaccommodated us, so that each year is using each of the availabletuning booths or workshops in turn, so that we don’t tread on eachothers’ toes, by employing a kind of musical chairs rota system!

Two weeks have passed since the college had its scheduledOFSTED inspection, which went well. We passed!

Last week, we were visited by PTA luminaries NigelDonovan and Paul Fox, who were anxious to point out to new (andold) students the benefits of PTA Membership. After presentingtheir case to the first year groupin the morning, it was the

second and third year’s turn in the afternoon. Various discussionsensued. There has always been, and probably always will be,opinions at odds with each other as to what should be the correctscale of charges for tuning, and what the criteria should be forinstigating those charges. The general consensus is that the levelsare way too low for the worth and skill of a qualified piano tuner,but as Nigel Donovan pointed out, the PTA is not a tradeassociation, and can therefore only act as an advisory body,

collating information from themembership in order to form apicture of pricing nationwide,based on cost of living,operational costs, etc. Anumber of valid points weremade by students... too many to print here, but the upshot andconsensus by Paul and Nigel, and students, was that we shouldnot undervalue ourselves as piano tuner/technicians!

It has been and is still feltby students that until they havebeen a fully fledged tuner forat least two years afterqualifying, have taken the PTAtest 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 waitfor two years? The answer that we can “get into bad habits, orlose techniques that have been learned” does not hold water withsome students. Why not allow students to take a test when wequalify, and then re-test us after two years to ensure a consistencyin technique and professional standards. Just a thought forongoing discussion.

Thanks anyway to Nigel and Paul for taking the time to visit us.Some of us will be attending the convention this year and arelooking forward to the seminars and meeting other piano technicians.

GEOFF CARVERHILL

Peter Roscoe demonstrating toninghammers on an upright action

Stuart Grant and Salvatore Famapreparing grand parts for polishing

Gavin Crooks listening to radio 3 whilstrestringing the Bluthner patent piano

John Webster finishing off the trebleon the Allison Grand

Please send in your photos, stories and messages to the Students’ Pages

Dealers In The SpotlightName of Dealership: Reigate Piano Workshop LtdLocation of Dealership: 46b Albert Road North,Reigate, Surrey RH2 9ELContact Details: Derek Love 01737 242174E-Mail: www.pianoworkshop.co.uk

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

I started in the piano business in 1974 by exporting pianos to Italy from around thecountry (we were young). This I did for 8 years. I then moved to Reigate and acquireda small workshop in 1983 where I started restoring pianos while gaining experiencewith 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 wehave over 100 pianos on display.

We have a fully equipped workshop where we can undertake all restoration andrepairs and we are now venturing into key covering at the beginning of April. We alsohave facilities for storing pianos.

We have a purpose built soundproofed studio where the ABRSM Examinationsare 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 thepolisher 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 29years but when we moved in 2008 we wereable to stock a comprehensive selection ofnew pianos as well.We decided on:Steinmayer Weber for the budget option.Wendl & Lung uprights and grands for theirexceptional quality at an affordable price.Hoffman & Bechstein for exceptionalquality and a well respected brand in theUK.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 theirbuild, touch and finish is perfect.

April 2011 13

4. Do you pay commission under the PTA Sales Encouragement Scheme and haveyou 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 arerewarded.

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 anychanges to combat it?

Last year was an exceptional year. The jury is still outthis year but January and February have been very good.

We have several strings to our bow – storage,customer restoration, key covering, practice and teachingrooms and removal to name but a few.

6. What are your views on the Electric V’s Acousticpiano 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. Westress there is nothing like a real piano though and the silent systems that we fit arebecoming a very popular cross-over.

7. Tell us about your own piano in your own home, whether you play it and whatyou 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 justhappen 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 nearlysquashed 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 aretimeless and will march on with only the casework changing.

Many thanks to Derek Love of The Piano Workshop, ReigateTo be featured in ‘Dealers in the Spotlight’ just contact the Editor, details Page 3

14

Using An Electronic Tuning DeviceIs it for you? Adrian Carpenter

Ourtrainingand ourtesting for PTA Membership isbased on aural tuning.Nevertheless, many PTAMembers use an Electronic TuningDevice (ETD), and for some ofthem it is now their principalmeans of tuning.

I am pretty sure I am the least expertuser of all. This is partly because I haveonly owned my system for a few months,and have only very recently begun to useit in earnest. It is partly because I amhopelessly incompetent at anything to dowith computers. You may well ask why Iam writing this article and not someonefor whom an ETD is a breeze. Myreasoning is that talking about my generallack of understanding and my difficultiesin getting to grips with the system maywell be of some help to others who aretoying with the idea of ‘going digital’.

You will notice that I have twicereferred to my ETD as ‘a system’. Let meexplain why. When I began to see theadverts for my ETD in Europiano, PTANews and other places, they alwayspictured a device. Therefore I assumedmy ETD would come in a box, have an

‘on’ switch, and be ready to go. But no.Whereas some other Electronic TuningDevices are indeed self-containedhardware-plus-software units, my versionis a software package only, and needs a

‘vehicle’ or a ‘platform’ to run on. Othercheaper software-only systems areavailable, and it is rumoured you can evenget a tuning app for your mobile phone.My own ETD was originally designed torun on a lap-top, but as that is unwieldy,the Pocket software was developed to runon a Personal Data Assistant (PDA). It israther assumed that the PDA you will buy

is a Hewlett Packard iPAQ, of whichthere are several models.

For many younger readers and thosefor whom the cyber-age holds no terrors,the following will not be any sort ofbarrier to owning a software based ETD.The cost might be! The software for mysystem was over £800, whilst the PDAwas around £200, and I would thoroughlyrecommend buying the stand which wasdesigned for my system, a brilliant pieceof kit…another £80.

You can order a PDA either new orsecondhand. (I must say that given theoverall cost of your investment, a new onewith no-one else’s baggage on it wouldseem sensible). Mine came with just aDVD as its instruction manual, which wasnot as user-friendly as the ETD’s ownmaterial. I could not work out even howto switch it on and had to post it off to thesupplier of my device who kindly set upthe whole thing for me. It is a touch-screen device and you need good eyesightto read its often small digits, though itsmain displays, when running the ETD, arebig and clear.

I ordered the ETD software, whicharrived in the form of a ‘Sentinel Key’.Small though it is, therein lies all theETD’s intellectual property, and thus it isthe most valuable bit. I also got a coupleof DVDs which showed practical classesin using the system. These are a bitamateurish in production and a bitrambling, but nevertheless very helpful.The instruction book is excellent. A quartzmetronome/tuner, which is named a

‘Cyber Fork’, is also included. Moreabout that in a minute.

Your new PDA, which is a mini-computer, is a quite sophisticated gadgetwith, for instance, Bluetooth and wi-fi

April 2011 15

capability. Before loading the ETDprogramme you will need to disable these,along with the sound-recording facility.You will also need to reconfigure it so thatits screen brightness and battery powersettings do not run it down during a day’stuning.

You can now stick your Sentinel Keyinto your PDA and download theprogramme. But we are not quite thereyet! The company does not,understandably, want its programmeloaded willy-nilly into any old PDA. (Ifyou could, they’d only sell one copywhich we’d all filch!) You have to obtain,at this stage, the serial number of yourown PDA which appears on-screen as alongish string of up to 20 characters. Younow have to go online to the company’sown website and submit a form with theserial number you have just found PLUSthe equally long code which came withyour Sentinel Key. Within 36 hours, theywill reply with your Activation Code(which I guess is a scrambled version ofthe two codes you have sent) and it is thiswhich will finally render your ETD usable.

Well, almost. The ETD needs to becalibrated in order to produce an exactA440 reference, and this is where yourCyber Fork comes in. The calibrationprocedure is clearly described in themanual, which explains that the sounding

‘A’ produced by your Cyber Fork has beenvery accurately checked by superiorequipment and found to differ from440Hz by a measured amount. This ‘offset’is written on a label on the back. Myoffset was +0.73 cents. With the devicenow set to calibration mode, the offsetamount is entered, and the Cyber Fork isswitched on and physically pressedagainst the PDA so that its speaker istouching the microphone. The software

‘listens’, does a few ‘blushes’ (see later),

and adjusts itself to this new, super-accurate pitch. Speaking personally, I findthis mating procedure rather crude. Thereseems to be a mis-match between thesophistication of the cyber-world and theordinariness of a cheap-and-cheerfulquartz metronome/tuner that anyone canbuy for a few quid at the local music shop.It’s as if a princess has taken a beggar forher lover!

That aside, you may or may not wishto take all the setting-up procedures intoaccount when deciding what sort ofelectronic tuner to buy. Do you want adedicated ‘box’ where all that work isdone for you? Or are you confident inyour ability to navigate through computer-based procedures? Bear in mind too thatmy own computer based ETD is adeveloping product, and freedownloadable updates will be availablefrom time to time. This is clearly a bonus,but the thought of plugging in and doing itmay not appeal to everyone. I, as a self-confessed computer-illiterate, could nothave set the product up without the helpof the suppliers and various familymembers; and I must say the processcaused me quite a lot of bother and not alittle anxiety. On the other hand, someonewho is cyber-savvy could have got thewhole thing up-and-running (apart fromwaiting for the Activation Code) in abouthalf-an-hour. And downloads will be apiece of cake. I should add that there isvery good support for my product via itsown website, where there is also a forumfor discussion about it and its use.

Using my ETD

For those who haven’t used an ETDor even seen one, I will just give a briefdescription of how mine does its job.Firstly, via a screen, it asks you to sample

16

some A-sthroughout thecompass of thepiano. Fromthese samples itworks out theinharmonicity ofthe instrument. Italso measuresand displays thepitch of thesampled noteswhich will help in deciding what sort oftuning procedure you are going to adoptnext. You then press ‘calculate’ and moveon to the screen you use whilst actuallytuning. Putting it at its simplest the ETDhas already taken into account ‘stretch’and has worked out the pitch for everynote on the piano. (At this point you cansave this information in a tuning file,identifying the instrument by its make,serial number, its owner and much elsebesides. This means that next time youtune the instrument you can bypass all thesampling and cut to the chase.)

The display screen used when tuninghas a ‘spinner’ which rotates clockwise or

anti-clockwiseto indicatesharpnessor flatness.When thespinner isalmoststationarya ‘blush’will fill thescreen to

indicate that the note is exactly in tune.As you move to the next note, the ETDwill follow you up in semitones (ordown…or not at all if you instruct it) butwill not detect random notes in the piano’s

compass as some cheap chromatic tunersdo.

It is beyond the scope of this article togo into the many functions of my ETD,but I have just described a Fine Tuning,i.e. one where the pitch of the piano isclose enough not to need a pitch-change.My ETD will also do a Pitch-Raise foryou, calculating as you proceed how muchoverpull to apply. An in-between functiongives a sort of halfway house where apiano that is off pitch by a few cents, andfor which you might normally think abouta pitch-raise, can be tuned in a single passand still end up sounding very goodindeed. (Many other users of my deviceapparently keep this as their default modebecause of its excellent results.) For thisand for Pitch Raise modes, you will beasked to enter some extra informationabout the disposition of the strings whichwill help the ETD to calculate any over-pull or under-pull.

It is perfectly possible just to use myETD at the basic level just described. Aswith many digital gadgets (ranging fromphones to satnavs, even to wrist-watches)there is a plethora of functions which arethere for the geeks but can be safelyignored by people like me. There ishowever one decision which, as a thinkingtuner, you may want to make. Thatconcerns Octave Tuning Style (OTS).Tuning aurally you may wish to tune‘clean’ octaves, making the 1st harmonic ofthe upper note beatless with the secondharmonic of the lower note. This takesinto account the natural ‘stretch’ of theinstrument. My device gives me a rangeof 8 different Octave Tuning Styles where1 is clean and 8 is considerablyoverstretched. The manual recommendsOTS 4 for starters and this may wellaccord with your own preferences. Forme, it produces a treble that is too

E.T.D’s continued

April 2011 17

sharp…though this sharpness is achievedprogressively throughout the upperoctaves and not as a sudden tweak. Imention this because an ETD of any sortwill not necessarily tell you to tune a pianoin a way that is set-in-stone. Using itunthinkingly will probably satisfy 95% ofyour customers, but maybe not all… and,more importantly, maybe not you.

My ETD and me

After 30 years of aural tuning, it wasonly to be expected that embarking on theelectronic route would be a challenge.Starting to tune on bottom A and workingup from there came as a shock! I had anurge to do all my old checks and balancesalong the way, just to be sure the ETDwas behaving. Consequently I foundmyself taking about twice as long to getthrough a tuning. I also found that thelong developed brain-pathways betweenear and tuning lever did not work quite sowell between eye and lever. I foundmyself at first so anxious to get the spinnerstationary and to achieve the magic ‘blush’,that my stability went to the dogs.Everything improves with practice, and Idare say more adaptable people will needless practice than I. My ETD tuning hasbecome quicker, though not as quick asmy aural tuning. My stability is back tonormal and I am generally satisfied withthe outcome. At the moment I use theETD when I am not in a rush, often for thelast morning appointment when only mylunch-break will suffer. I just let it get onwith the job and trust in its results. I havenot yet used it for a concert tuning. PTAMembers have been incredibly helpful(via the ‘pianolist’, the PTA internetdiscussion forum) in giving advice…evenif one or two have been incredulous at mytechnophobia.

Reasons for going electronicBefore putting pen to paper I asked

regular ETD users (via the ‘pianolist’ andprivately) their reasons for deciding to usean ETD. Most replies came from users ofthe same device of my own, though not all.

Quicker tuning? One reply said ‘quicker’, two said ‘the

same’ and all the rest said it was a bitslower.

More accurate tuning?No-one actually admitted it was more

accurate (!) but the gist of replies was thatit was consistently accurate.

Less stress?The point was made that an ETD does

not get tired at the end of the day. I gotthe impression that this was one of thechief reasons for ‘going electronic’. OneMember even said he was able to do 8 or 9tunings a day. (Gulp.)

Easier tuning in a noisy environment? Most said ‘yes’ but one said his device

was affected by noise. (Maybe it dependswhat sort of noise.)

Worries about future or presenthearing loss?

Everyone said this was a factor, butfor some an ETD is a life-line.

Easier pitch-changes? Most said their ETD was brilliant at

this, making a very accurate ‘first pass’.Personally I have always used a cheapchromatic tuner (Seiko) which, coupledwith a bit of judgement and guesswork,does the business.

Tuning 2 pianos together? There was mixed opinion here. The

pocket version of my ETD does not have adedicated function for this, whereas earlierlap-top versions do. Some have used itwith success, others are less sure.

Use with ear-protection?This major bonus was mentioned in

five replies. Continued on Page 19

April 2011 19

ETD’s continuedTuning unisons accurately?My impression is that nearly all users

tune unisons by ear. A few mentionedthat tuning each string of very high treblenotes separately produced good results.I’m not convinced, especially as mydevice has trouble, as we do, with veryfalse strings.

Curiosity?Well, I’m the only one posing that

question and answering it. I have to admitthat being a bit flush after a priceyrestoration job, I forked out for onebecause I wanted to know what it was allabout. A good reason for getting one?

Conclusion Without exception the ETD users Icontacted are complete converts. They allspeak very highly of their device as anaccurate and useful tool which, when thechips are down, can be relied on toproduce consistently good tunings. Some

use it all the time, most still do some auraltuning.

My final hang-up is using it in frontof customers. Most users say that itpresents no problem, and they havedeveloped various ways of ‘selling it’ totheir customers if challenged. I have asneaking suspicion that a few of myclients will regard it as ‘cheating’ and Ihave yet to work out my ‘spiel’ fordealing with any loss of faith on theirpart!

Adrian is very happy for anyone tocontact him directly for moreinformation about his ElectronicTuning Device. Email him atacmc48@tiscali.co.uk

Alternatively, if you have anycomments or thoughts about the articleor ETD’S in general, please do write oremail PTA News.

PTA Council ReportMatthew GoughThe meeting of the Executive

Council was held on 26th March atMorleys, Lewisham.

Present were Keith Owen, JohnLambert, Andrew Jamieson, AnnetteSummers, Barry Caradine, ColinCrawford, Brian Frost, Matthew Goughand Tania Staite.

Apologies were received from GrahamCantrill, Jeff Prett and Rick Ohlendorf.

Laura Jamieson attended the first partof the meeting in order to give a report onprogress of the draft paper of the PTA

‘Code Of Conduct’. In a very usefulsession, Laura was able to answer manyquestions and to explain much of thewording and reasoning behind it. Laurawill now work with other Council

Members in the hope of presenting a finaldraft.

The PTA accounts are ready forpresentation to the AGM at Worksop inMay.

Discussion took place about thevarious levels of subscriptions for nextyear and agreement was reached.

Three tests have taken place and therewas one pass.

There have been a further threeapplications for Membership and testswill be arranged.

Applications have now closed for theConvention in May at Worksop. Herefordis booked for 2012. The centenaryConvention will be in Bournemouth in2013. Continued Overleaf

20

PTA Council Report ContinuedThe idea of a number of College

reunions was discussed to coincide withour 2013 centenary year. These would bespecial lunches and take place around thevarious college areas, including thosecolleges no longer running courses.

The ‘Recommended Minimum Tuningand Repair Price Calculations’ have beendropped and will no longer be published.The Council feels they are not sustainablein the present economic climate.

There will be a Steinway Seminar on14th October.

Paul Fox and Nigel Donovan haveattended Newark College to introduce the

benefits of the PTA to new students aswell as meeting with those students whohave already joined us. We are verygrateful to Paul and Nigel. 8 studentsjoined there and then and we warmlywelcome them.

The next meeting of the ExecutiveCouncil will be as soon as immediatelypossible following the AGM on 14th Mayat the Worksop Convention.

A full copy of these minutes isavailable from the PTA Secretary.

Meet The PTA At NewarkPaul Fox

On March 9th Nigel D and Ivisited the hallowed portals ofNewark Tech College (the besttitle, nothing flash like LincolnBelvoir University of Life In TheMidlands (Newark Branch)) andventured up Mount Lane like wehave done so many times in thepast.

We were there to proclaim theimportance of belonging to a professionalAssociation plus the camaraderie andvalue of support, to two groups ofstudents all embarking on a journey to endup where a lot of us are now, asprofessional tuners, plying a trade andvisiting homes up and down the land, re-orientating harmonic imbalance on thestrung backs of the populace's pride andjoy and putting a bit of life back intopeople's musical lives with little morethan a fork, a lever and a plastic (nylon)chopstick.

It's really nice talkingwith the First Year group. Theyare adventurers going up the Amazon ofLearning, stopping off on the jettiesof...harmonics, tuning stability, chippingup, muting strips and scales on the way. Alarge range of brand new things to tackle,all with vigour and enthusiasm. A wholenew world for them.

Into this world we stepped bringinghope and encouragement by suggesting tothem that an Association made up of

Continued overleaf

The Newark 1st Year Group

April 2011 21

22

Piano Tuners and Technicians, repairersand rebuilders, like they aspire to be, canoffer them so much and why they reallyshould belong to our band of acousticalmanipulators.

Well it's what one would call a no-brainer really – you are a trainee pianotuner, there is a Trade Association whichwill always be there to help, train,advance knowledge, provide support,insurance, advice and most of all be aportal to reliable contact with a lot of like-minded people. Simply listen to the chaton who we are and why we exist and signon the dotted line - 3 years as a PTAStudent for just £10. That's 2 packs offags for those still hooked or about 1½pints of beer the last time I bought a round.For THREE YEARS, no other payment tobelong. We came away with quite a goodlist of new joiners from these eagerbuddies, so welcome to those and I hopethey enjoy the ride, you're now on boardand I trust that will be so for theremainder of your career.

We also spent time later, with thesecond year students and some 3rd yearsthat we'd met last time we were there. Wehadn't met the 2nd years before andduring this talk there was some confusionover the guide price for tuning rates in theYB which we did discuss at some length.

It transpired that the guide price ismore confusing than advisory and on thatbasis we decided that perhaps it ought tobe removed from the YB since the actual

prices arrived at for the current year bearlittle relation to prices that one wouldcharge in order to maintain a goodstandard of living commensurate withbeing a professional in a skilled job.Inflation based on a price from 1982multiplied by inflation in varying numbers,doesn't seem to keep pace with what weexperience in the real world (see 'Old AgePension'). I know there was a hugespreadsheet done a while ago on this but itstill doesn't really stack up with what onewould like to earn. (It should be notedthat the guide price "is considered to bethe lowest possible amount compatiblewith a successful business")

The take-up rate on this later sessionwas far below that of the earlier one, thegathered number were less receptive toour promotion of the PTA and seemedreluctant to see benefit over their ownperceived ideas. Pity really as I think theywould benefit, speaking from personalexperience. I wish I'd joined at that stageand kept up with the refreshment offeredby a Convention since the drop off of thestandard, post college, is so often reflectedby test results of newbies coming to jointhe PTA. Maybe after a little time, a littlemore thought and putting ill-conceivedprejudices aside they will once again pickup the application form and sign up tobecome Students of the Association. Wewill always welcome you in and you arevery much part of the whole whateveryour chosen status within the PTA.

Newark Meets The PTA Continued

Wow! In an incredibly spontanious and ‘unstaged’ moment, more of the Newark firstyears discover the wonderful benefit of the PTA News!

April 2011 23

“Pressed Rat and Warthogclosed down their shop

They didn’t want to, it was allthey had got.

Selling atonal apples andamplified heat And Pressed Rat’s collection ofdog’s legs and feet”

So go the immortal, deeply intellectualfirst lines of one of Cream’s more dodgysongs on the renowned late 60’s album

“Wheels of fire”.Rat and Warthog might well not have

wanted to close down their shop, and insome ways nor do I. But strangely withonly four weeks to go I’m beginning tosmell the sweet air of freedom in mynostrils. Freedom from all the sillypathetic beurocracy which has been welldocumented in this grumpy column,freedom from manning the shop onSaturdays and some evenings, fromexcessive business rates which havenothing to do with providing localservices (they won’t even take away ablack bag of rubbish), from the pain ofbeing constantly undercut by the biggerboys (in my book any mug can sell apiano cheap) and not least from snootyand pushy Hertfordshire punters whowant a second-hand piano to be like a newone and a new one to be the same price asa second-hand one.

I wrote in my previous offering that“my last Kawai is arriving in two daystime”. That turned out to be a verywelcome underestimation of the demandfor new pianos and I sold that one, then itsreplacement, and that one’s replacementand so merrily on. There’s nothing likegoing out with a bang.

I believe that’s what the actress saidto the bishop but unlike the man of the

cloth I have other lesssalacious things to thinkabout. Like where the hell am Igoing to put all my stuff? I’ve madecontingency plans of course for anyunsold stock but ideally I need a nice littleworkshop where I can continue to dorepairs, restoration and sell the odd pianofrom.

Being a baby boomer from theaustere early 1950’s and having a sharpeye for a bargain I took advantage of anoffer by a distributor of piano stools whoI’ve dealt with for some time. Suffice tosay I now have enough stools to supply allthe piano owners of the Northernhemisphere. I’m thinking of starting abrand new enterprise called “Put yourbum on that, Ltd.”

Yesterday I was out tuning inHertford and passed the turning to avillage called Tewin where I had aworkshop on a farm prior to moving tomy current shop premises in St. Albans. Iloved being there in a pastoral setting andleft only for the challenge of running anenterprise in a less rural location with itsobvious advantages i.e. not having togive punters directions like “left at theRose & Crown, go past two cows, down atiny muddy lane, take the next right justbefore the Plume of Feathers”.I determined to call in at the farmhouse onmy way back to see if maybe, just maybe,there might be a unit there which mightsuit my now scaled down purposes.

Well, blow me down, knock me overwith a feather guv’nor, as well as thepresent farmer knowing all about myprevious, apparently legendary (the mindboggles) tenure over thirteen years ago itturned out that my old workshop had justbecome available for occupancy again. Nobrainer!

Continued on page 25

Retail TalesDogs legs, piano stools and relocation - Kevin Brice

April 2011 25

Retail TalesContinuedAnd there we have it. Pressed Rat and

Warthog may have closed down theirsurrealistic shop but beyond my most

optimistic dreams I’m reopening my oldone.

DVD ReviewAngela Hewitt- Bach Performance on the Piano

Review by Matthew GoughThis 2 DVD set was

released in 2008 and isa treat, not onlybecause it contains arecital and a lecture byAngela but alsobecause it is filmed atthe Fazioli Factory inSacile, Italy.

The first DVD is entitled ‘BachPerformance on the Piano’ and is a lecturefilmed in various parts of the FazioliFactory on different pianos. It’s certainlyinteresting to see how many bits and bobsof equipment you can spot!

Angela really tells you everything youneed to know about playing Bach but hergreat knowledge is valuable generally, nomatter what you choose to play. Forexample, her tips on ‘phrasing’ and

‘expression’ can be applied to any piece ofmusic we perform on our beloved pianos.

Of course, Bach composed most ofhis work on harpsichord and there is afascinating section comparingHarpsichord with modern piano.

Angela considers Bach to be essentialfor any serious piano student to study andher great love for Bach and his musicreally shines through.

We can see just how much she knowson disc 2 where she plays live in concertat the Fazioli Concert Hall in front of anaudience.

The pieces are Parita No .4 in D major,Italian Concerto in F major and finally,

the Chromatic Fantasy and Fugue in Dminor.

It will come as no surprise that thepiano used is a beautiful Fazioli concertGrand. I was immediately struck by theunique sound of the instrument which hasa solid and powerful tone but also greatevenness throughout its range. It lookspretty eye catching too, with its strikingbirds eye maple rim.

The Partita is played with great strideand confidence by Angela, whom weoften see twice, once at the piano andonce reflected on the underside of thepiano lid; well, you can never get toomuch of a good thing!

The Sarabande certainly shows off thesubtlety in expression mixed with thesolidity of tone beautifully, and the pianonever seems too bright.

In the Menuet section, Angela seemsto revel in the strict timing, whilst in theGigue she really lets rip and seems tohave a sparkling twinkle in her eye; herenjoyment is infectious!

The very apt Italian Concerto isequally enthralling. Angela speedsthrough the allegro like a steam train thatends its journey far too soon. The wistfulAndante reminds me of the Hamletadverts, it’s so relaxing and calming. ThePresto meanwhile, starts with such aflourish it’s more ‘Hey’ Presto! It carrieson in that vain for the next three minutes.The only problem is that it’s miles tooshort – blame Bach.

Continued overleaf

26

Angela Hewitt ContinuedSo finally to the brilliantly named

Chromatic Fantasy and Fugue. Inwatching Angela I was totally captivated.She really expresses the phrasing andsurprises in the music wonderfully withher own head movements and expressions.Head banging for classical piano? – this isit!

You really can’t fail to grasp theemotion as Angela raises her her armsaloft for the last time.

I’m sure this performance wouldhave made Bach very proud as, indeed,Fazioli should be. Composer, piano andpianist in perfect unison. Superb!

I suggest you buy your own copyimmediately.

Many thanks to Paul Spencerfor the loan of the DVD. It gaveme many hours of enjoyment.

Trade NewsBrian Kemble

MBE has becomeManaging Directorof Bösendorferhaving beendeputy ManagingDirector since lastOctober. Brian said

‘ It is a tremendoushonour for me to be entrusted with such agem of the piano world. My goal will beto use my 30 years of experience withinthe piano industry to drive the companyforward by working tirelessly with mydedicated Austrian staff to furtherstrengthen the position of Bösendorfer.

We have some exiting models in thepipeline and a clear vision of the future.The long tradition of Bösendorfer – thefoundation of European sound – willcontinue to be respected and built on.’

Former MD, Yoshichika (Mike) Sakaiwill work to enhance the manufacturer’sreputation worldwide as he carries on hiscareer within Yamaha’s piano group.

Meanwhile in the UK, Mike Ketleyhas now been promoted to ManagingDirector of Yamaha Music Europe GmbH(UK).

His position as ‘Head of AcousticDivision’ is now taken by Charles Bozen.

Letters

This is a solution fortuning oblong pins atvarious angles. The fixedhammer head 'bend' washeated to red heat beforegripping the head in a vice.It was then possible to turnthe handle through 90°.

Gordon Nelson (1031)

April 2011 27

Please note these dates for your diary:

11th-14th May 2011PTA Convention

The Lion Hotel, Worksop, NottsContact Annette for more info.

Friday 14th OctoberPTA/Steinway Study Day

Details and Booking Form with next Issue of PTA News

For enquiries, PTA goods, changes of address or contactdetails:Mrs Annette SummersPTA SecretaryPO Box 1312LightwaterWOKING GU18 5UBTel: 0845 602 8796 or 01276 850325E-Mail: secretary@pianotuner.org.uk

IN THE NEXT ISSUE OF PTA NEWS: The Convention Issue! Lots of photos and reports about the classes.

DEADLINE FOR ARTICLES: FRIDAY 20th MayArticles, letters and photos to: ptanews@pianotuner.org.uk or to address on page 3.Please email photos separately to articles.

PTA DIARY

Photo FinishIn a feature soon to be

renamed ‘Eris Pets’, we arepleased to introduce you to

‘Ms Sandy’As I’m sure you know by

now, Eri Onami lives andworks in Hong Kong andshe says that this beautifulBösendorfer Grand is afavourite of hers, as well asMs Sandy’s!