Piano Tech Radio Hour

In today’s session two exceptional guests, Wayne Ferguson and Cip Mayer join us, who have each been in business for over 40 years. They share their journeys, anecdotes, and insights about restoration. Wayne talks about his actions to keep himself out of trouble within the restoration business. He also shares how he quality controls the action parts, and how that led him to meet our second guest of the show today - Chip Mayer. Chip is the son of Loyed Mayer, and they identified an industry need for quality original dimension action parts to restore grand pianos. Chip talks about his philosophy “Rather than trying to reengineer and reinvent the piano, just replace what’s there to maintain the design excellence of the piano”. Wayne and Chip talk about action parts, how to select the right parts, and the process of restoration such that the excellence of the piano is retained. Tune into this lecture to listen more. Here’s a little bit about our guests: Wayne Ferguson: Master piano tuner technician, Wayne H. Ferguson, has been widely considered to be among the very best in the business, Wayne has studied the art of piano technology and piano setup with passion and diligence. His former and present client list is a veritable who’s who of the music industry in Canada and beyond. Including Oscar Peterson, Keith Jarrett, Stevie Wonder, David Foster, and Diana Krall, Wayne’s list of satisfied, repeat customers is a testament to his expertise and professionalism. Chip Mayer: 𝐉𝐎𝐈𝐍 𝐔𝐒 𝐅𝐎𝐑 𝐌𝐎𝐑𝐄 𝐆𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐓 𝐂𝐎𝐍𝐓𝐄𝐍𝐓❗❗ Browse more masterclasses and lectures from Piano Tuning Pros here: https://www.pianotechniciansmasterclass.com/ Piano Tech Radio Hour is brought to you by Piano Technicians Master. We provide cutting-edge piano technology instruction from piano industry masters without leaving your home, featuring monthly subscriptions, conventions, single live streaming, and recorded masterclasses. Learn advanced skills: Instagram -Piano Technicians Masterclass (@pianotechmasterclass) FB - Piano Technicians Masterclasses | Facebook Spotify - Piano Tech Radio Hour | Podcast on Spotify

The owner of A440 Pino Services, and a second-time guest at the PTRH, Bill Manore joins us today and gives us a tour of his shop and talks about his business. He is a one-man show and tells us how he manages the different tasks of the business. “Just say yes and figure it out later” has been a mantra that has worked well for him. He also shares his process of how to go about acquiring pianos. He says, “I do not do a lot of active looking because, over time, pianos tend to find you”. In that same vein, he shares the importance of building client relationships and how that helps you build your business. Most importantly, he shares the importance of saying “no” - there will be a lot of great opportunities, but Bill shares insights about how to pick the right pianos that have some sort of reasonable market value. Tune into this lecture to learn all these salient tips from Bill and get an exclusive view of his shop. Here's a little bit about our guest Bill Monroe: Bill, William, Monroe is a Registered Piano Technician and PTG member, specializing in rebuilding grand pianos. After graduating from school at Montana State University in Bozeman in wildlife ecology, his career took a detour in the year 1999 when he decided to tune pianos full-time. He is the owner of A440 Piano Services in Belleville, Wisconsin. 𝐉𝐎𝐈𝐍 𝐔𝐒 𝐅𝐎𝐑 𝐌𝐎𝐑𝐄 𝐆𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐓 𝐂𝐎𝐍𝐓𝐄𝐍𝐓❗❗ Browse more masterclasses and lectures from Piano Tuning Pros here: https://www.pianotechniciansmasterclass.com/ Piano Tech Radio Hour is brought to you by Piano Technicians Master. We provide cutting-edge piano technology instruction from piano industry masters without leaving your home, featuring monthly subscriptions, conventions, single live streaming, and recorded masterclasses. Learn advanced skills: Instagram -Piano Technicians Masterclass (@pianotechmasterclass) FB - Piano Technicians Masterclasses | Facebook Spotify - Piano Tech Radio Hour | Podcast on Spotify

Ken Eschete, is a piano technician who has worked with the conservation of historic pianos and teaches an online course on replacing and building sound boards and bridge gapping. He has discovered some big things from some little tiny things and he joins us at the Radio Hour to share them. The first is consolidation - here Ken talks about resins and the science behind them which is used in key tops and voicing. The second component is using a reverse migration - here Ken walks us through hammers built in the 19th century and the change of their material from leather, to woolwoll and felt. There is a logic to why hammers are hard on the inside and soft on the outside. In the final component of the presentation, Ken talks about epoxy and its viscosity usage. Ken shares extensively about the usage of B72, epoxy technology, and the process of replacing and building soundboards. Tune into this high-value high-value lecture to learn about this and more! Here’s a little bit about our guest Ken Eschete: A highly experienced piano technician/piano rebuilder with a specialization in concert tuning, structural rebuilding (new soundboards and pin-blocks), and restorative conservation of antique pianos and harpsichords. 𝐉𝐎𝐈𝐍 𝐔𝐒 𝐅𝐎𝐑 𝐌𝐎𝐑𝐄 𝐆𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐓 𝐂𝐎𝐍𝐓𝐄𝐍𝐓❗❗ Browse more masterclasses and lectures from Piano Tuning Pros here: https://www.pianotechniciansmasterclass.com/ Piano Tech Radio Hour is brought to you by Piano Technicians Master. We provide cutting-edge piano technology instruction from piano industry masters without leaving your home, featuring monthly subscriptions, conventions, single live streaming, and recorded masterclasses. Learn advanced skills: Instagram -Piano Technicians Masterclass (@pianotechmasterclass) FB - Piano Technicians Masterclasses | Facebook Spotify - Piano Tech Radio Hour | Podcast on Spotify

On today’s episode, we have Alex Kostakis join us whose family has been involved in Steinway for many years, and later they started their own rebuilding practice. Alex shares his journey of working on Steinway pianos, the details of the pianos, and the relationship with customers. Alex details what goes into his best restored Steinways - a virgin piano that has not been tampered with by anyone, matches all the specifications when reproducing a pin block, adjusts for the wedges on the keyframe to take away from the height of the strings, and create a slope from the top of the rim to the bottom of the rim. Alex talks about what it means to read the piano in front of you and how to look at the minor things. All of these go miles in setting you apart and building yourself as a successful piano technician. Tune in to listen from him about all things Steinway and rebuilding. Here’s a little bit about our guest Alex Kostakis: 𝐉𝐎𝐈𝐍 𝐔𝐒 𝐅𝐎𝐑 𝐌𝐎𝐑𝐄 𝐆𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐓 𝐂𝐎𝐍𝐓𝐄𝐍𝐓❗❗ Browse more masterclasses and lectures from Piano Tuning Pros here: https://www.pianotechniciansmasterclass.com/ Piano Tech Radio Hour is brought to you by Piano Technicians Master. We provide cutting-edge piano technology instruction from piano industry masters without leaving your home, featuring monthly subscriptions, conventions, single live streaming, and recorded masterclasses. Learn advanced skills: Instagram -Piano Technicians Masterclass (@pianotechmasterclass) FB - Piano Technicians Masterclasses | Facebook Spotify - Piano Tech Radio Hour | Podcast on Spotify

Nick Gravagne, who joined us for the PTM 2020 convention is back on Radio Hour to share some of his insights on building sound boards. Nick has made over 470 soundboards on Steinway and he shares his journey of building a pulse to tell soundboards apart. “The more mass there is on the soundboard, the more sound as there is more impetus,” says Nick and shares how to build a balance between the string and the soundboard. Nick also shares his own evolution of the understanding of this subject matter and connects it to electronic engineering. He answers questions about steam, rebound, hammer strength, and more. Tune into this session to hear from Nick who has a repository of knowledge on not just soundboard and rebuilding, but also about successfully navigating the career of being a piano technician. Here’s a little bit about our guest Nick Gravagne: Nick combines a formal engineering background with over 40 years of hands-on experience in piano design, manufacturing, and rebuilding. He has authored numerous articles for the piano trade and has been a featured instructor at piano technical seminars all over the U.S. His business currently revolves around rebuilding and manufacturing custom soundboards for the piano rebuilding trade. 𝐉𝐎𝐈𝐍 𝐔𝐒 𝐅𝐎𝐑 𝐌𝐎𝐑𝐄 𝐆𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐓 𝐂𝐎𝐍𝐓𝐄𝐍𝐓❗❗ Browse more masterclasses and lectures from Piano Tuning Pros here: https://www.pianotechniciansmasterclass.com/ Piano Tech Radio Hour is brought to you by Piano Technicians Master. We provide cutting-edge piano technology instruction from piano industry masters without leaving your home, featuring monthly subscriptions, conventions, single live streaming, and recorded masterclasses. Learn advanced skills: Instagram -Piano Technicians Masterclass (@pianotechmasterclass) FB - Piano Technicians Masterclasses | Facebook Spotify - Piano Tech Radio Hour | Podcast on Spotify

In this episode, David and Eathan talk about pricing in the piano industry, especially during the pandemic and post-pandemic. Raising prices may seem counter-intuitive, but keeping up with your standard of living may be necessary. One participant adds “Now is the time to raise prices, not just to keep up, but to get ahead of the curve”. “Historically we do not charge enough as piano technicians, when I raise prices, I am met with more success” shares another participant. During this conversation, the participants help unpack the importance of offering a diverse set of services to your clients as there is no good piano that you cannot make better. The path to becoming a high-end piano technician is not just skill, but also building a relationship of trust and having references through word of mouth. In this episode, we further unpack the importance of having a trust-based relationship with your clients and reflections on the PTM 2020 convention. Here’s a little bit about our hosts: David Andersen: David Andersen, owner of David Andersen pianos in Los Angeles has been a professional musician, recording artist, and piano technician/consultant for nearly four decades. He has overseen the restoration and maintenance of hundreds of Steinway and Mason & Hamlin pianos during that time. Beginning in 1975 he apprenticed for two and a half years under Jack Cofer in Atlanta, Georgia; during the 1980s he studied at Steinway facilities both in New York and London. Eathan Janney: Eathan has 20 years of experience as a piano technician. He studied with Dave Miller, the staff piano technician for the Mason Gross School of the Arts at Rutgers University, New Jersey. Dave Carpenter, the inventor of the Verituner electronic tuning device, provided mentorship for Eathan in Chicago. Eathan also worked with Ken Eschete and Bill Schwarts, the staff piano technicians at Northwestern University in Chicago. In 2009, he founded Floating Piano Factory of New York, a company that allows piano technicians to move from Apprentice to Craftsman level while offering value pricing to clients as technicians progress toward mastery. In 2017 he founded Piano Technicians Masterclasses, an online project designed to offer cutting-edge instruction from piano industry masters to anyone on the globe with an internet connection. 𝐉𝐎𝐈𝐍 𝐔𝐒 𝐅𝐎𝐑 𝐌𝐎𝐑𝐄 𝐆𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐓 𝐂𝐎𝐍𝐓𝐄𝐍𝐓❗❗ Browse more masterclasses and lectures from Piano Tuning Pros here: https://www.pianotechniciansmasterclass.com/ Piano Tech Radio Hour is brought to you by Piano Technicians Master. We provide cutting-edge piano technology instruction from piano industry masters without leaving your home, featuring monthly subscriptions, conventions, single live streaming, and recorded masterclasses. Learn advanced skills: Instagram -Piano Technicians Masterclass (@pianotechmasterclass) FB - Piano Technicians Masterclasses | Facebook Spotify - Piano Tech Radio Hour | Podcast on Spotify

In this episode, David and Eathan unpack what it means to do things that you are afraid of within the piano business. The pair focus on conquering fear as an essential ingredient in professional development. In his typical generous fashion, David gets vulnerable with his peers in the name of inspiring us all. He shares stories of how he has encountered fear time and again during his time in the industry and why it’s made him better. Other members of the community are inspired to share their own stories of overcoming fear within different aspects of their journey - teaching, tuning, certification, you name it! Eathan talks about how there is fear on both sides of the table–even the instructors we deeply respect have fear and trepidation sometimes. You can be great in the industry and still encounter nervousness and fear at every level. One participant sums it up: “We are a lot more afraid of things than we need to be.” Get ready to be inspired to strive for more! Tune in to hear from other members of the community share stories about how they go about conquering each new obstacle humbly and bravely. Here’s a little bit about our hosts: David Andersen: David Andersen, owner of David Andersen pianos in Los Angeles has been a professional musician, recording artist, and piano technician/consultant for nearly four decades. He has overseen the restoration and maintenance of hundreds of Steinway and Mason & Hamlin pianos during that time. Beginning in 1975 he apprenticed for two and a half years under Jack Cofer in Atlanta, Georgia; during the 1980s he studied at Steinway facilities both in New York and London. Eathan Janney: Eathan has 20 years of experience as a piano technician. He studied with Dave Miller, the staff piano technician for the Mason Gross School of the Arts at Rutgers University, New Jersey. Dave Carpenter, the inventor of the Verituner electronic tuning device, provided mentorship for Eathan in Chicago. Eathan also worked with Ken Eschete and Bill Schwarts, the staff piano technicians at Northwestern University in Chicago. In 2009, he founded Floating Piano Factory of New York, a company that allows piano technicians to move from Apprentice to Craftsman level while offering value pricing to clients as technicians progress toward mastery. In 2017 he founded Piano Technicians Masterclasses, an online project designed to offer cutting-edge instruction from piano industry masters to anyone on the globe with an internet connection. 𝐉𝐎𝐈𝐍 𝐔𝐒 𝐅𝐎𝐑 𝐌𝐎𝐑𝐄 𝐆𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐓 𝐂𝐎𝐍𝐓𝐄𝐍𝐓❗❗ Browse more masterclasses and lectures from Piano Tuning Pros here: https://www.pianotechniciansmasterclass.com/ Piano Tech Radio Hour is brought to you by Piano Technicians Master. We provide cutting-edge piano technology instruction from piano industry masters without leaving your home, featuring monthly subscriptions, conventions, single live streaming, and recorded masterclasses. Learn advanced skills: Instagram -Piano Technicians Masterclass (@pianotechmasterclass) FB - Piano Technicians Masterclasses | Facebook Spotify - Piano Tech Radio Hour | Podcast on Spotify

Bernard has been in the piano business for over four decades and runs a classic, timeless piano artisan’s workshop. Piano rebuilding is his forte, and he has a wealth of knowledge to share about it. Bernard began his fascinating foray into the piano world as the son of a NASA rocket scientist. He shares about the partnerships he made and how he created a thriving business in the piano industry. He also shares the importance of word-of-mouth in this field. Bernard takes us through some exquisite pictures of his rebuilding archive and shares his process. He answers questions about how he divides operations in his shop, apportioning some work to part-time employees and contractors. Bernardo talks about how the piano rebuilding process is a team job and what it means to take a leadership role in this intricate process. Intrigued? Enjoy a glimpse of how a seasoned veteran approaches the art of restoring fine instruments. 𝐉𝐎𝐈𝐍 𝐔𝐒 𝐅𝐎𝐑 𝐌𝐎𝐑𝐄 𝐆𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐓 𝐂𝐎𝐍𝐓𝐄𝐍𝐓❗❗ Browse more masterclasses and lectures from Piano Tuning Pros here: https://www.pianotechniciansmasterclass.com/ Piano Tech Radio Hour is brought to you by Piano Technicians Master. We provide cutting-edge piano technology instruction from piano industry masters without leaving your home, featuring monthly subscriptions, conventions, single live streaming, and recorded masterclasses. Learn advanced skills: Instagram -Piano Technicians Masterclass (@pianotechmasterclass) FB - Piano Technicians Masterclasses | Facebook Spotify - Piano Tech Radio Hour | Podcast on Spotify

Ricki Kloss is a certified tuning examiner and has been in the piano business since 1995. She shares her story of accidentally wandering onto her career path, encountering one opportunity after another, and eventually opening her own business in 1995. Ever feel like you know only a tiny bit about what it means to be a piano technician? Ricki shares her thoughts on what it means to be a lifelong apprentice in this field and explains what it is to “fail upwards”. Since Ricki is a certified tuning examiner, she shares how to go about the exam, who to contact and what resources you need. Ricki says “A lot of the challenge in the exam is timing. People need to work on the timing of each skill in the exam.” If you want more great tips and insights into the exam, jump right into this episode and take notes. Here’s a little bit about our guest Ricki Kloss: Ricki Kloss, was a perfect example of someone doing what it takes to make things happen. She has been in full-time business since 1995 when she also joined the PTG. Since then she’s stepped in to help wherever she sees a gap. She’s volunteered with the PTG to become a leader among female techs, a convention organizer, and a strong advocate for educational opportunities. 𝐉𝐎𝐈𝐍 𝐔𝐒 𝐅𝐎𝐑 𝐌𝐎𝐑𝐄 𝐆𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐓 𝐂𝐎𝐍𝐓𝐄𝐍𝐓❗❗ Browse more masterclasses and lectures from Piano Tuning Pros here: https://www.pianotechniciansmasterclass.com/ Piano Tech Radio Hour is brought to you by Piano Technicians Master. We provide cutting-edge piano technology instruction from piano industry masters without leaving your home, featuring monthly subscriptions, conventions, single live streaming, and recorded masterclasses. Learn advanced skills: Instagram -Piano Technicians Masterclass (@pianotechmasterclass) FB - Piano Technicians Masterclasses | Facebook Spotify - Piano Tech Radio Hour | Podcast on Spotify

Thomas Strange–a fascinating, multi-talented individual and the owner of the musical instrument museum–makes an appearance on this program. In 2008, Thomas was asked to build a Museum to preserve his collection of keyboards. In a decade his vision materialized and gained significant community support. A private collection to a world-class collection of musical instruments, Thomas tells the story of how he was able to set up the ‘Sigal Music Museum.’ If you are ever curious to dive deeper into the historical roots of keyboard instruments, this is a key place to check out. With a collection of instruments all the way from the 14th century, Thomas tells the story of these keyboards, their sounds, and their relevance. Have you ever wondered how to take period pianos to the next level? Thomas, gives us his expert take. Explore the nuances of conservation and other alternatives to showcasing antique instruments in this deeply fascinating session. Here’s a little bit about our guest Thomas Strange: Thomas Strange has presented numerous lectures/concerts on early piano development and is a builder and restorer of early keyboard instruments. An article on the life of early square pianoforte builder John Geib was published in Eighteenth-Century Music, in March 2010. In addition, Strange has an extensive background in materials science, and is the author of forty-three patents and numerous papers over the last two decades, covering all aspects of capacitor development, with an emphasis on foil development for aluminum electrolytics. 𝐉𝐎𝐈𝐍 𝐔𝐒 𝐅𝐎𝐑 𝐌𝐎𝐑𝐄 𝐆𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐓 𝐂𝐎𝐍𝐓𝐄𝐍𝐓❗❗ Browse more masterclasses and lectures from Piano Tuning Pros here: https://www.pianotechniciansmasterclass.com/ Piano Tech Radio Hour is brought to you by Piano Technicians Master. We provide cutting-edge piano technology instruction from piano industry masters without leaving your home, featuring monthly subscriptions, conventions, single live streaming, and recorded masterclasses. Learn advanced skills: Instagram -Piano Technicians Masterclass (@pianotechmasterclass) FB - Piano Technicians Masterclasses | Facebook Spotify - Piano Tech Radio Hour | Podcast on Spotify

Join us in this episode as we sit down with Rick, the esteemed president and founder of Baldassin Pianos. Rick's remarkable journey includes recognition as a PTG member of note and receiving the prestigious 2014 Golden Hammer award, along with his induction into the exclusive PTG Hall of Fame. Moreover, Rick's influence extends to the realm of literature, with his authorship of pivotal books on piano tuning that stand as definitive references in the field. In this conversation, we explore the trajectory of his illustrious career. Rick's unique path began unexpectedly, leading him to a program that lacked certification but proved pivotal in leading to the launch of his transformative 'On Pitch' series. An impressive hallmark of his work lies in his comprehensive exploration of expanded octaves, a groundbreaking endeavor that earned him distinction as the first to dive so deeply and meticulously into this topic. Central to his breakthrough was the harmonious integration of his music theory degree with his pursuits in piano tuning. The evolution of Rick's seminal work, the 'On Pitch' book, is underscored by its recurrent revision and refinement. Within this episode, he generously imparts a wealth of insights pertaining to the art of tuning and the intricacies of octaves. Enrich your understanding by tuning in to this enlightening discourse, where Rick's depth of knowledge shines through. Here’s a little bit about our guest Rick Baldassin: Rick Baldassin is the President and Founder of Baldassin Pianos in Salt Lake City, Utah. Rick is a Registered Piano Technician, was awarded the Member of Note, and has been inducted into the Piano Technicians Guild Hall of Fame. He is an international consultant for several major piano manufacturers. As a piano technician, Rick has been an active and passionate member of the Piano Technicians Guild (PTG) both serving with his local chapter as well as on the board of the guild. 𝐉𝐎𝐈𝐍 𝐔𝐒 𝐅𝐎𝐑 𝐌𝐎𝐑𝐄 𝐆𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐓 𝐂𝐎𝐍𝐓𝐄𝐍𝐓❗❗ Browse more masterclasses and lectures from Piano Tuning Pros here: https://www.pianotechniciansmasterclass.com/ Piano Tech Radio Hour is brought to you by Piano Technicians Master. We provide cutting-edge piano technology instruction from piano industry masters without leaving your home, featuring monthly subscriptions, conventions, single live streaming, and recorded masterclasses. Learn advanced skills: Instagram -Piano Technicians Masterclass (@pianotechmasterclass) FB - Piano Technicians Masterclasses | Facebook Spotify - Piano Tech Radio Hour | Podcast on Spotify

In this podcast episode, the hosts delve into the pandemic's impact on the piano tuning industry and explore the concept of a "master piano technician." Eathan and David share their perspectives. Eathan, the founder of the Floating Piano Factory, recounts how his business adapted during the pandemic. Initially suspending operations for safety, they later resumed tuning despite reduced demand. David discusses the gradual recovery of the restoration business. The conversation delves into the idea of a "master piano technician." Eathan highlights the Clavier Baumeister recognition from German training as significant. Peer endorsements are emphasized as vital for establishing mastery. David notes that mastery comes from a dedicated focus on a specific area, blending meticulous attention and passion for expert performance. Listeners are invited to gain insights into achieving mastery in their craft through this engaging conversation. Here’s a little bit about our hosts: David Andersen: David Andersen, owner of David Andersen pianos in Los Angeles has been a professional musician, recording artist, and piano technician/consultant for nearly four decades. He has overseen the restoration and maintenance of hundreds of Steinway and Mason & Hamlin pianos during that time. Beginning in 1975 he apprenticed for two and a half years under Jack Cofer in Atlanta, Georgia; during the 1980s he studied at Steinway facilities both in New York and London. Eathan Janney: Eathan has 20 years of experience as a piano technician. He studied with Dave Miller, the staff piano technician for the Mason Gross School of the Arts at Rutgers University, New Jersey. Dave Carpenter, the inventor of the Verituner electronic tuning device, provided mentorship for Eathan in Chicago. Eathan also worked with Ken Eschete and Bill Schwarts, the staff piano technicians at Northwestern University in Chicago. In 2009, he founded Floating Piano Factory of New York, a company that allows piano technicians to move from Apprentice to Craftsman level while offering value pricing to clients as technicians progress toward mastery. In 2017 he founded Piano Technicians Masterclasses, an online project designed to offer cutting-edge instruction from piano industry masters to anyone on the globe with an internet connection. 𝐉𝐎𝐈𝐍 𝐔𝐒 𝐅𝐎𝐑 𝐌𝐎𝐑𝐄 𝐆𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐓 𝐂𝐎𝐍𝐓𝐄𝐍𝐓❗❗ Browse more masterclasses and lectures from Piano Tuning Pros here: https://www.pianotechniciansmasterclass.com/ Piano Tech Radio Hour is brought to you by Piano Technicians Master. We provide cutting-edge piano technology instruction from piano industry masters without leaving your home, featuring monthly subscriptions, conventions, single live streaming, and recorded masterclasses. Learn advanced skills: Instagram -Piano Technicians Masterclass (@pianotechmasterclass) FB - Piano Technicians Masterclasses | Facebook Spotify - Piano Tech Radio Hour | Podcast on Spotify

Discover the captivating world of Klavins Pianos in this episode as we delve into the history and innovative vision of piano designer and builder, David Klavins. Originally specializing in restoring vintage pianos, David Klavins embarked on a profound exploration of the intricate acoustic principles that shape piano tonality. This pursuit led him to create his own avant-garde grand pianos, each bearing a distinct Klavins signature. Join us as David shares the intriguing story behind Klavins Pianos, offering insights into their evolution and significance. Unlike traditional pianos, Klavins instruments boast a remarkable distinction – towering structures that beckon players to ascend staircases before unveiling their unique melodies. David Klavins stands at the intersection of extremes within the piano world, from crafting the delicate whispers of the smallest and softest pianos to harnessing the thunderous might of those with unparalleled sound projection. In this episode, David articulates his vision for crafting these extraordinary pianos: "I believe that a piano's voice should project directly to the audience, rather than being absorbed by the floor and lid.” His ingenious concept involves expanding the soundboard, employing longer and finer strings to produce a crystalline bass resonance. By orienting his pianos vertically, rather than horizontally, David elevates the instrument's dynamic range to astonishing heights. Delve into the fascinating narrative of Klavins Pianos as David elaborates on the rationale behind the exposed string design, the art of determining key lengths, and the meticulous craftsmanship integral to his pianos' construction. Whether you're a seasoned pianist, an avid music enthusiast, or a curious mind, this episode promises novel insights into the realm of innovative piano design. Tune in to this captivating session and embark on a sonic journey with David Klavins as he unveils the secrets and stories behind his revolutionary Klavins Pianos. Here’s a little bit about our guest David Klavins: David Klavins accomplished his degree as a master piano builder in January 1980, in Stuttgart, Germany, after having founded his first piano company in 1976 in Bonn, Germany. While initially specializing in the rebuilding of old pianos, in the course of his work he was studying the factors that mainly determine the acoustic characteristics of a piano. 𝐉𝐎𝐈𝐍 𝐔𝐒 𝐅𝐎𝐑 𝐌𝐎𝐑𝐄 𝐆𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐓 𝐂𝐎𝐍𝐓𝐄𝐍𝐓❗❗ Browse more masterclasses and lectures from Piano Tuning Pros here: https://www.pianotechniciansmasterclass.com/ Piano Tech Radio Hour is brought to you by Piano Technicians Master. We provide cutting-edge piano technology instruction from piano industry masters without leaving your home, featuring monthly subscriptions, conventions, single live streaming, and recorded masterclasses. Learn advanced skills: Instagram -Piano Technicians Masterclass (@pianotechmasterclass) FB - Piano Technicians Masterclasses | Facebook Spotify - Piano Tech Radio Hour | Podcast on Spotify

Paul McNulty, a North Bennet Street School graduate, is an iconoclast in the industry. He was the first in modern times to build an 1830 model Playel, an 1846 Boisselot op. 2800, and an 1868 Streicher. His current efforts are restoring vintage French pianos. The "period pianos" domain can be tricky, and not everyone likes the sound of these unique instruments. But the pianos Paul restores are loved by many. He is at the top of his craft! In this session, he shares his journey and some tips and tricks of the trade that only a period piano builder would know about. Paul started with no skill. But he quickly progressed in his understanding and abilities. Soon after beginning his period of piano studies, he could successfully reassemble anything he had deconstructed. By the age of 32, he had built a pianoforte from scratch. Paul has taken a path less traveled, and for your benefit, he shares what he has learned along the way. He shares insider secrets that could save you significant pain when encountering vintage instruments. Would you like to know how to remove tricky vintage keyboards without breaking hammers? Want some precautionary measures to avoid other damage? Want to know which modern tools can be used to improvise solutions? You gotta catch this episode! Get insider insights from across centuries and understand the piano industry more deeply. Spend some time with Paul today and listen back again whenever you like! Here’s a little bit about our guest Paul McNulty: Paul McNulty is a maker of world-famous fortepianos known for their superior performance quality, used for concerts and recordings in the most prestigious concert halls, opera houses and owned by prominent fortepiano players and leading music institutions, such as Harvard University, Cornell University, Royal Academy of Music and many more. 𝐉𝐎𝐈𝐍 𝐔𝐒 𝐅𝐎𝐑 𝐌𝐎𝐑𝐄 𝐆𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐓 𝐂𝐎𝐍𝐓𝐄𝐍𝐓❗❗ Browse more masterclasses and lectures from Piano Tuning Pros here: https://www.pianotechniciansmasterclass.com/ Piano Tech Radio Hour is brought to you by Piano Technicians Master. We provide cutting-edge piano technology instruction from piano industry masters without leaving your home, featuring monthly subscriptions, conventions, single live streaming, and recorded masterclasses. Learn advanced skills: Instagram -Piano Technicians Masterclass (@pianotechmasterclass) FB - Piano Technicians Masterclasses | Facebook Spotify - Piano Tech Radio Hour | Podcast on Spotify

Nick is a piano engineer with over 40 years of experience in the field. He has made significant contributions to the piano trade through his technical seminars across America and numerous articles he has authored. During our session, Nick shared his unique approach to understanding pianos. According to him, there are three primary elements of a piano that demand attention: its body or 'box', its action (playability), and sound. Nick offered clever and crucial insights like identifying issues related to tone quality by plucking strings and listening for their decay rate - a technique revealing each string's efficiency level. Simple but effective techniques like this help both in educating customers about their instrument’s optimal sound quality as well as guiding our own work process during tuning jobs. Another technique involves a clever way of estimating where a piano's hammer strikes a string. Imagine the hammer striking a string at a certain distance from the capo bar or agraffe. The key is to replicate this distance near the bridge, at the back of the string. Picture it as if you're placing the ideal strike point between the bridge pins and the piano's front. Then comes the fascinating part: using a specialized wedge, somewhat resembling a guitar pick, the technician gently plucks the string at this designated point. If you hear the vibrant high notes you expect, it's a signal that untapped potential can be unlocked through voicing or hammer work. Nick also highlighted how altering a piano's tone can be subjective and tricky given individual preferences and performance situations—making voicing pianos complex yet fascinating! Tune in to learn more clever techniques to diagnose pianos, treat them, and communicate flawlessly with the client about their piano’s care. Here’s a little bit about our guest Nick Gravagne: Nick combines a formal engineering background with over 40 years of hands-on experience in piano design, manufacturing, and rebuilding. He has authored numerous articles for the piano trade and has been a featured instructor at piano technical seminars all over the U.S. His business currently revolves around rebuilding and manufacturing custom soundboards for the piano rebuilding trade. 𝐉𝐎𝐈𝐍 𝐔𝐒 𝐅𝐎𝐑 𝐌𝐎𝐑𝐄 𝐆𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐓 𝐂𝐎𝐍𝐓𝐄𝐍𝐓❗❗ Browse more masterclasses and lectures from Piano Tuning Pros here: https://www.pianotechniciansmasterclass.com/ Piano Tech Radio Hour is brought to you by Piano Technicians Master. We provide cutting-edge piano technology instruction from piano industry masters without leaving your home, featuring monthly subscriptions, conventions, single live streaming, and recorded masterclasses. Learn advanced skills: Instagram -Piano Technicians Masterclass (@pianotechmasterclass) FB - Piano Technicians Masterclasses | Facebook Spotify - Piano Tech Radio Hour | Podcast on Spotify

Meet Fred Sturm. He's renowned and world-class as both a pianist and a piano tech. In this session, he discusses the connections between his two careers. We learn about his journey down these two intersecting paths, and Fred shows us how one informs the other. Pianists depend on piano technicians. As Fred says, "If we do not give the pianists what they need, they are going to be handicapped." Through personal anecdotes and explanations, Fred demonstrates how to anticipate a pianist's needs. Stay tuned to hear what Fred sees as the most critical factor in piano tuning. The soundboard, the hammers, and the staging are all important. However, adding care and attention to detail in preparing these aspects distinguishes excellent piano work from good. The detailed work that goes into every single instrument is what matters. Any goal less than a singing and blooming sound is only adequate. Fred shares many more personal experiences from his unique vantage point as a pianist and a piano technician. This is a splendid opportunity to learn concepts and ideas to which you may not otherwise get exposure. Piano nerds, this is one you have to check out! Here’s a little bit about our guest Fred Sturm: Fred performs regularly and has recorded and released five CDs, with another in process. As a piano technician, he has worked since 1986 for the University of New Mexico on a part-time basis, with a private clientele as well. Sturm's training has included the full four weeks of the CF Theodor Steinway Academy, one week of training with Shigeru Kawai, two weeks at the Sauter factory in Spaichingen, Germany, ten or more national PTG conventions, and various other opportunities. 𝐉𝐎𝐈𝐍 𝐔𝐒 𝐅𝐎𝐑 𝐌𝐎𝐑𝐄 𝐆𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐓 𝐂𝐎𝐍𝐓𝐄𝐍𝐓❗❗ Browse more masterclasses and lectures from Piano Tuning Pros here: https://www.pianotechniciansmasterclass.com/ Piano Tech Radio Hour is brought to you by Piano Technicians Master. We provide cutting-edge piano technology instruction from piano industry masters without leaving your home, featuring monthly subscriptions, conventions, single live streaming, and recorded masterclasses. Learn advanced skills: Instagram -Piano Technicians Masterclass (@pianotechmasterclass) FB - Piano Technicians Masterclasses | Facebook Spotify - Piano Tech Radio Hour | Podcast on Spotify

Sometimes a problem is just a path to unique new creations. We all have problems. We all have some that even make us want to give up and crawl into a fetal position. For Mark Purney, string repairs are a dreaded necessity that he wishes didn't exist. As he put it, "I hate doing string repairs. I always have. I probably always will." The most frustrating part for him was storing all the potential gauges of wire he might need. For years he found it hard to store the wires properly. Finally, though, it was his moments of frustration with the piano wire that inspired him to create Piano Wire Tires. It was his first big product as a piano industry entrepreneur, allowing his company, Supply 88, to come into being. Catch this fun and fascinating Piano Tech Radio Hour episode with Mark Purney, RPT, Owner of Supply 88. Learn some inside tips for finding great tools from a master tool creator and supplier himself. Here's a little bit about our Guest Mark Purney: Prior to becoming an RPT in 2007, Mark earned a Bachelor of Electrical Engineering from Cleveland State University and spent 20 years designing electronics and software. Mark studied classical piano at the Cleveland Institute of Music as a youth, played keyboard and guitar in multiple bands, and still plays with his church's worship band. Mark is an avid inventor, having designed numerous specialty tools many piano technicians use worldwide. This led to Mark and his partner Dawn launching Supply88 in 2015. Mark's designs include the Kestrel, the world's lightest carbon fibre piano tuning lever, and Piano Wire Tires, an easier way to store and transport piano wire for field repairs. Mark has also been an active volunteer in the Piano Technicians Guild, serving four years on the Board of Directors (2015-2019 Western Regional VP), four years on the Institute (2014 Director), and chairing multiple committees. Having attended many conventions, seminars, and factory training programs, he's a veteran participant in and contributor to continued education, promoting excellence in the field of piano technology. 𝐉𝐎𝐈𝐍 𝐔𝐒 𝐅𝐎𝐑 𝐌𝐎𝐑𝐄 𝐆𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐓 𝐂𝐎𝐍𝐓𝐄𝐍𝐓❗❗ Browse more masterclasses and lectures from Piano Tuning Pros here: https://www.pianotechniciansmasterclass.com/ Piano Tech Radio Hour is brought to you by Piano Technicians Master. We provide cutting-edge piano technology instruction from piano industry masters without leaving your home, featuring monthly subscriptions, conventions, single live streaming, and recorded masterclasses. Learn advanced skills: Instagram -Piano Technicians Masterclass (@pianotechmasterclass) FB - Piano Technicians Masterclasses | Facebook Spotify - Piano Tech Radio Hour | Podcast on Spotify

In this session we have with us Dan Levitan, the piano technician turned author who has a lot to offer all the way from taunting lever and tuning theory to the piano tuner’s hand and ear. He talks about his most significant contribution to the field, harmonicity, and the physics of turning tuning pins with a hammer. Dan talks about what it means to be a born craftsman. “Everybody cares about something but you cannot teach someone what to care about”. He talks about the element of intuitive care that goes into excelling in the field - and in his case, it is that of creating harmonicity. What can I do to make this piano the best that it can be? That is the question that keeps driving Dan. If you would like to learn more about the different ways in which your element of care toward piano tuning can make you excel, this class is for you. Here’s a little bit about our guest Dan Levitan: 𝐉𝐎𝐈𝐍 𝐔𝐒 𝐅𝐎𝐑 𝐌𝐎𝐑𝐄 𝐆𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐓 𝐂𝐎𝐍𝐓𝐄𝐍𝐓❗❗ Browse more masterclasses and lectures from Piano Tuning Pros here: https://www.pianotechniciansmasterclass.com/ Piano Tech Radio Hour is brought to you by Piano Technicians Master. We provide cutting-edge piano technology instruction from piano industry masters without leaving your home, featuring monthly subscriptions, conventions, single live streaming, and recorded masterclasses. Learn advanced skills: Instagram -Piano Technicians Masterclass (@pianotechmasterclass) FB - Piano Technicians Masterclasses | Facebook Spotify - Piano Tech Radio Hour | Podcast on Spotify

In this session, we meet with Wayne Ferguson, a piano tech who has worked around the globe and visited all the major factories in Europe. He talks about how he makes the key travel in the aftertouch on a piano that is going to be played on short notice. Sometimes the hammer is too far right and sometimes it's too close Wayne follows a structured process where he makes the hammer blow a little further away, does a couple of samples, looks at lead off and drop, checks the key bed and follows some other steps. He also explains what he does in cases where there is little aftertouch and in what situation he makes the lead-off wider. If you would like to learn more about how to do a quick analysis and make the aftertouch right, this session is for you. Here’s a little bit about our guest Wayne Ferguson: Master piano tuner technician, Wayne H. Ferguson, has been widely considered to be among the very best in the business, Wayne has studied the art of piano technology and piano set up with passion and diligence. His former and present client list is a veritable who’s who of the music industry in Canada and beyond. Including Oscar Peterson, Keith Jarrett, Stevie Wonder, David Foster, Diana Krall, Wayne’s list of satisfied, repeat customers is testament to his expertise and professionalism. 𝐉𝐎𝐈𝐍 𝐔𝐒 𝐅𝐎𝐑 𝐌𝐎𝐑𝐄 𝐆𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐓 𝐂𝐎𝐍𝐓𝐄𝐍𝐓❗❗ Browse more masterclasses and lectures from Piano Tuning Pros here: https://www.pianotechniciansmasterclass.com/ Piano Tech Radio Hour is brought to you by Piano Technicians Master. We provide cutting-edge piano technology instruction from piano industry masters without leaving your home, featuring monthly subscriptions, conventions, single live streaming, and recorded masterclasses. Learn advanced skills: Instagram -Piano Technicians Masterclass (@pianotechmasterclass) FB - Piano Technicians Masterclasses | Facebook Spotify - Piano Tech Radio Hour | Podcast on Spotify

In this session, David, our resident expert talks about the power of presence and gratitude. These can drastically change your life and have an impact on your profession as a piano technician. David also calls on Wayne Ferguson to come on and share his experiences with the piano industry and larger lessons from life. Wayne alk about starting young and figuring it out with finances at the forefront. He also gives us a live tour of his workspace and shares some practices that have worked well for him to establish himself in the industry successfully. Here’s a little bit about our hosts David Andersen: David Andersen, owner of David Andersen pianos in Los Angeles has been a professional musician, recording artist, and piano technician/consultant for nearly four decades. He has overseen the restoration and maintenance of hundreds of Steinway and Mason & Hamlin pianos during that time. Beginning in 1975 he apprenticed for two and a half years under Jack Cofer in Atlanta, Georgia; during the 1980s he studied at Steinway facilities both in New York and London. 𝐉𝐎𝐈𝐍 𝐔𝐒 𝐅𝐎𝐑 𝐌𝐎𝐑𝐄 𝐆𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐓 𝐂𝐎𝐍𝐓𝐄𝐍𝐓❗❗ Browse more masterclasses and lectures from Piano Tuning Pros here: https://www.pianotechniciansmasterclass.com/ Piano Tech Radio Hour is brought to you by Piano Technicians Master. We provide cutting-edge piano technology instruction from piano industry masters without leaving your home, featuring monthly subscriptions, conventions, single live streaming, and recorded masterclasses. Learn advanced skills: Instagram -Piano Technicians Masterclass (@pianotechmasterclass) FB - Piano Technicians Masterclasses | Facebook Spotify - Piano Tech Radio Hour | Podcast on Spotify