The Tuner's Beat
June, 2001
NEXT MEETING:
June 18, 2001
Board Meeting 7:00 PM
Regular Meeting 7:30 PM
at
Gable Piano
2914 Hewitt Ave.
Everett, WA
(425) 776-1717
Technical Program:
New York vs. Hamburg Steinway Pianos
June Meeting
IS IT THE HAMMER or BELLY?

    The June meeting will prove to be an enlightenment within the roll of the hammer versus the soundboard.  As technicians we are seldom, if ever, in the unique position to examine the tonal effect of changing a complete action (with hammers) from one piano to another when the pianos are from different factories manufactured 40 years apart.  We will gain a tremendous insight of the roll of the soundboard when an action and hammers with a known reult is placed in a different piano.  You will instantly hear the effect that the belly (soundboard, bridges, etc.) plays in the tonal picture.
    We will switch the actions from a 1963 New York Steinway "D" and a 2000 Hamburg Steinway "D" and examine the result from both pianos with opposite actions.  I performed this about two years ago.  The result was surprising and not what I expected.  Be sure to attend to gain this insight.

- Roger Gable
Elections this Month!
This is election month, so we need your presence to elect new officers.
The following members have been nominated for the following positions:
President: Roger Gable, RPT
Vice President: Joe Alkana, RPT
Secretary: Curtis Spiel, RPT
Treasurer: Bill Barber, RPT
Board Members:
Peter Delaurenti, RPT
Mike Ashburn, Assoc.
Directions to Gable Piano
From south: Exit I-5 at Pacific Avenue, turn left under freeway.  Gable Piano is located on the north side of the same block as Group Health.
From north: Take the first Everett exit:  Everett Avenue.  Turn right at the bottom of the off-ramp, then left at the second stop light.  Go two blocks and you will see the store sign.
Minutes of the Seattle PTG Chapter
May 21, 2001
The meeting was called to order on May 21, 2001 at 7:00 pm at Prosser Piano of North Seattle.
There were 7 RPT members and 1 Associate present.
Reports:
The minutes of the previous meeting were approved as read.
Treasurer's report is as follows:
Checking:                $4723.53
Savings:                   $2953.91
CD:                         $5080.15
Announcements:
No summer picnic date has been set.

Old Business:
Bill Barber inquired about the status of Brent Williams' application.  No information was available.

New Business:
Elections will be held at the e 18th meeting instead of May because no notification was sent tot eh membership.
Nominations presented by the Board are as follows:
President:              Roger Gable, RPT
Vice President:      Joe Alcana, RPT
Secretary:             Curtis Spiel, RPT
Treasurer:             Bill Barber, RPT
Board Members:   Peter deLaurenti, RPT
                             Mike Ashburn, Assoc.

Roger announced the change in program content for the June 18th meeting being held at Gable Piano in Everett.  The new topic: New York vs. Hamburg Steinway pianos.
A special feature may be in store for those who attend this month's meeting.

Future program ideas include:
For September: analyzing the cause of, and eliminating false beats
Audrey suggested a meeting dealing with workplace burnout.
The use of electronic tuners.

The board extends our sypathy to the family of Pacific Lutheran University music professor James D. Holloway.

The meeting adjourned at 7:40 pm to the technical program of "Warranty Wars" presented by Mike Reiter and Phil Glenn.

Technical Question
Pianos (particularly grands) have longer keys proportionate to their larger size.  This is a disadvantage to the speed of the action due to the added weight.  Name two advantages to touch with a longer key.
(Answer to be given at the June meeting.)

Technical Tip

Ever have difficulty tuning the last 3 to 4 notes of small pianos?  Sometimes the last notes are so inharmonious that it is difficult to establish the range within a half step or more.  To aid in finding the proper range, tune down by octaves the highest not possible, then progress down by judging in half steps, then check with that corresponding octave.


Return to MAIN PAGE