Brigham On The Job
As a conscientious piano owner, you probably have your piano tuned regularly by a qualified technician. You may, however, notice a deterioration of its performance despite regular tuning. It’s important to note that tuning is only the adjustment of the system of strings and pins that determines the pitch of each string. Your piano also requires a periodic servicing called regulation, which attends to the mechanical parts which cause strings to sound when keys are played and affect the sound through use of the pedals.
What is regulation and how does it affect my piano’s performance?
Regulation is the adjustment of the mechanical aspects of the pianos to compensate for the effects of wear, the compacting and settling of cloth, felt, and buckskin, as well as dimensional changes in wood and wool parts due to changes in humidity. (more…)
Category : Additional Services &Brigham's Piano Blog &FAQ
The field of Piano technology is an unregulated trade. Therefore the Piano Technicians Guild has set its own standards of quality for piano technicians. The Guild has two types of members: Registered Piano Technicians (Brigham) and Associates. Associate membership is open to anyone with a “professional or avocational interest in piano technology.” On the other hand, the title of “Registered Piano Technician” must be earned by passing a series of examinations. (more…)
Category : About Brigham &Brigham's Piano Blog &FAQ &Professional Training
Here is a video of Brigham with Allan L. Gilreath , RPT and National President of the Piano Technicians Guild. He explains why it is essential and beneficial to only allow a Registered Piano Technician to work on your piano.
“I’ll just call around and find the cheapest piano tuner……” (have you ever thought that?)
May we recommend you read this information about RPT’s before price shopping and going with the cheapest option. We know that our customers value quality and refer us regularly without hesitation! Have the courage to shop around for quality, not just for price! Are you looking for an experienced musical artisan, with proven and tested training, attention to detail, guaranteed workmanship and unmatched quality. If that is what the musician in you desires… then Brigham is the correct match for your piano needs.
Category : About Brigham &Brigham's Piano Blog &Professional Training
So you can’t remember the last time it was tuned, huh? You might need a pitch raise…
Your piano is designed to sound its best when tuned to A-440 (A above middle C vibrates at 440 cycles per second), the international pitch standard. At this pitch, power and tonal range are optimum and your piano will match the pitch of other instruments. When your piano varies from A-440, pitch adjustments are required to bring it back to standard. By always maintaining your piano at standard pitch, you create long-term tuning stability because the strings and structure stay in equilibrium. You also ensure proper ear training because you always hear your music in the correct key.
Why does a piano’s pitch change?
Piano strings change pitch for two primary reasons: the initial stretching and settling of strings when the piano is new, and soundboard movement due to humidity variation. In the case of new pianos, the pitch drops quickly for the first couple of years as the new strings stretch and wood parts settle. It’s very important to maintain any new piano at the proper pitch during this period, so the string tension and piano structure can reach a stable equilibrium. (Most piano manufacturers recommend three to four tunings the first year, and at least two per year after that.) (more…)
Category : Additional Services &Brigham's Piano Blog &FAQ
Thayne got to tag along with Dad this morning as they met the trucker delivering a Kawai for us to add to our gallery of uprights for sale. The truck driver let Thayne ride in the crane that he uses for lifting and moving pianos inside the trailer. Thayne was in HEAVEN! He begs his dad to wake him up and take him with him for these early morning piano pick ups!
Category : Brigham On The Job &Brigham's Piano Blog
