Piano Killer Octave

What is the “Killer Octave”?

 It is the area around the fifth and sixth octave, usually F5 to F6. This is the area where the tone is weak and has short or no sustain. This is a problem in certain pianos due to original design, such as soundboard thickness, strike point, string scale and position of bridge. Although redesign is costly many improvements can be made to the piano.

Most pianists want control over volume and tone, to be able to play soft “softs” and loud “LOUDS”

It is important to have power and sustain across the keyboard, also to be able to blend  tenor and bass, and capable of playing soft and loud without distortion. A well designed piano should have a broad dynamic spectrum of sound and tonal characteristics.

Steinway School

All -Steinway School Definition

The All-Steinway School designation is given to an institution directly by Steinway & Sons.

An inventory analysis must be submitted to Steinway & Sons before approval can be granted.

Requirements to become an All-Steinway School

1. 90% or more of the acoustic pianos owned by an institution must be Steinway & Sons, Boston or Essex pianos.

2. A Steinway approved maintenance program must be in place. It is important to the reputation of the institution as well as to the reputation of Steinway & Sons that all pianos in an All-Steinway School be kept in performance quality condition. If this stipulation is not met, Steinway & Sons reserves the right to remove the All Steinway designation from this institution.

3. Steinway pianos are to be placed in the performance spaces and piano teaching studios and, preferably, in piano major practice rooms.

4. Steinway-designed pianos are to be placed in all other teaching studios, classrooms and practice rooms.

5. Pianos not designed by Steinway & Sons (i.e. historical instruments must be handled with discretion).

6. The institution cannot participate in any loaner programs from another manufacturer.

7. Existing inventory that is to be considered for qualification as an All-Steinway School must be in good condition which will be determined by a Steinway factory representative.

8. All-Steinway Schools are subject to periodic inspection by a Steinway factory representative to be sure that the pianos are being maintained in accordance with Steinway standards. Steinway & Sons may request that an inventory analysis be conducted periodically.

9. An approved number of technicians who service All-Steinway Schools are required to participate in the Steinway & Sons Technical Programs.

10. All-Steinway Schools in the Americas must maintain an inventory of at least 10 pianos.

*Steinway & Sons reserves the right to amend this definition.

Piano Tuning, Regulation and Voicing

Piano Tuning, Regulation and Voicing

by Jack Houweling

There are three basic areas of piano maintenance: Tuning, Regulation, and Voicing

Tuning is adjusting the tension of the piano strings to bring them all to the proper pitch. The fourth A (the A above middle C) is a starting point on the keyboard, it is set to 440 Hz. or cycles per second. Every thing else is tuned in relation to the A. Proper pitch is important for ear development.

Regulation The piano keys and action (the mechanism inside the piano) are made of leather, wood and felt and will compress and change shape with wear. They need fine adjusting to bring back for proper function. This will improve the playability of the piano.

Voicing deals with the tone quality of your piano. From bright to mellow the tone can be changed with voicing. Softening or hardening the hammers is one part of the process to change the tone. A technician can voice and change the tonal personality. There are many words used by technicians and piano players to describe the sound of a piano. here are just a few ....dark, tinny, crisp, tubby, muddy, weak, metallic, woody, rough, and clean.

How does your piano feel? What does your piano sound like? The degree of changes is dependent on the piano design and condition. Talk to your piano technician she can bring out the best in your piano.