Thank you for this very comprehensive yet understandable interview! You really covered a wide spectrum of very useful topics. I dabbled a bit into piano technology -- enough to know how much I don't know, but enough to have some understanding of how the pins behave and tune my own piano (using a digital tuner). I know it's not the best (missing that slight octave stretch and sounding a little dull on the top end), but mostly useable. My Yamaha U1 gets a "winter buzz" on A4, Bb4, and B4 which I'm sure has to do with a drop in humidity (it goes away in more humid months) -- not sure where it is or what's causing it -- soundboard, attachment of ribs to sound board ...
First off, I am a big fan of your punny username. I am not sure what kind of digital tuner you have but the advanced Electronic Tuning Devices (ETDs) that professional piano tuners use do account for octave stretch. They do a solid job. Without seeing your piano, it's hard to say what is causing the buzz. Do you have a piano tech? If you can be there when a tech is troubleshooting, it really helps because then you can have one person pressing on different parts that may be causing the issue while someone else can listen from different angles. Good luck finding a solution, I know buzzes can be distracting and maddening as a player.
@@andantepianoworks Thank you! I rather like your "Andante" name as well, as I tend to walk on the mild side. I used to have a Conn Strobotuner (years ago - 70's - 80's) when I was first considering becoming a piano tech (using a book, "First Steps in Piano Tuning" by Robert Nalder -- given to me by a retiring piano tech). But I never felt that I was either calibrating it correctly, or reading it closely enough. I used to tell people I can make a bad piano sound better, but I could never make a good piano sound right. I used it to keep my own piano tuned for a couple of decades, but as digital tuners became available, I abandoned the Conn for a basic Korg CA 50. I used the Korg to set the temperment and tune for most octaves except the lowest and highest octaves which I tune by ear to be beatless to the other octaves. But they are obviously not stretched. My latest venture was to use an Excel spreadsheet and calculate all half steps by the 12th root of 2, and then key the frequencies to 5 decimal places into Audacity to generate the tones (sine wave) which I then saved as short (15-second) .mp3 files and loaded a few octaves to my phone to keep handy as a "tuner". ( 🙂 ). But again, they're not stretched. I suppose I could remedy that somewhat if I knew what the stretched frequencies are -- and keyed them into Audacity. I was wonderig if there are published tables of what the (possibly various) stretch frequencies should be for all 88 keys, then began searching, and looking at the Peterson Autostrobe 490-ST, I find that there are multiple sets of tables for different instruments and instrument sizes. So a one-set-fits-all does not seem to be an option. In any case, in my limited training and experience I at least recognize that each piano has its own "personality" and quirks that are not always going to fit the rigors of a table of frequencies, and in many instances a best-fit compromise is needed to get the best tuning the piano will allow, even if not perfect. Both my budget and time are somewhat limited for these endeavors. I've looked at some of the advanced tuners, but I'm really only interested in keeping my own piano (Yamaha U1) "usable" (or perhaps a minor tweak for a friend -- providing they're willing to take a chance on me not breaking a string or causing any other mishap -- i.e with the pin block, etc.), and am not at all considering tuning any pianos professionally. I use the U1 mainly for technical practice and learning and keeping repertoire in a (again ... ) "useable" state. Although I majored in organ and minored in piano in college, I recently retired from a 40-plus year IT career in which I spent countless 50-hour plus weeks on the QWERTY keyboard rather than the 88. So now I'm trying to regain some of that lost proficiency, and I find my U1 is sufficient for my scales and arpeggios at quarter notes MM = 60 - 😐 (I'm also trying to regain organ competency, so spend a bit of time on that as well.) So the U1 is not horrible (or I would do something with it). It's a 1969 build (s/n 869396 - NIPPON GAKKI) which I bought used from a school in the 1980's and have done nothing to it since other than to tune it a few times. It holds its tuning like a rock, and we keep our home closed and at between 68 - 72 degrees year round. You can hear it on my channel in a recent recording titled "Hiding Place (U1 version)" and also in some recordings I made for teaching Leschetizkey's "close touch" (look for videos starting with "CT ") -- all on a tuning I did about ten years ago and haven't touched since. The piano could definitely be put in much better condition. There are quite a number of broken hammer butt flange spring strings ("bobbling"). Also there is just the slightest amount of free play between when a key is first pressed and when it engages the rest of the action -- I suspect that I could "regulate" that a bit by turning the regulating screws or capstan screws, (I know -- I may be a bit naively ambitious ...), but the regulating screws all seem to be very tight, and I don't want to risk breaking any, so I'm just living with it for now. I have other instruments available at my church (including a Yamaha C1 and a CFX) for "serious" practice if needed (although I still cannot get the same nuances from a Yamaha as from a Steinway: when a Steinway is played from softer to louder, there seems to be something of a change in timbre which gives that renown singing quality; Yamaha's seem to just go from soft to loud ... ) In any case, the U1 is mostly livable with except when it's having that "winter buzz". It definitely seems to do with humidity, as it appears typically during the winter months, and usually on those three notes. Otherwise it's completely absent. Perhaps you may have a suggestion -- I've been considering adding some humidification directly around the piano, but I'm concerned that any sufficient humidity that may help address the buzz may have an overall adverse effect on the entire piano (tuning, etc.). I'm thinking that you will probably say that the best course is to have a technician look into it -- but, it's like a doctor's appointment -- I'm afraid as to what else may be discovered ... 😐 So, although I can hardly justify the cost considering my current level of use, at some point I will have to decide to have it looked into and prepare to do what's necessary ( I was thinking that if it's a loose rib I could just stuff some chewing gum in there .. no? ;-) Thanks -- I hope you didn't mind reading all this ... I hope you have a blessed week!
@@lawrencetaylor4101 Could well be! I guess Digitals are made in such a way that makes them 'maintenance free' they're stable and can't be fixed, unless you're familiar with electronics - I don't know, tho'
You'd think I'd be biased against digitals as an acoustic tech, but I am a fan of anything that gets people into piano playing. It's also a more economical and space-friendly option for a lot of people, especially those living in apartments or close quarters where space is limited and headphones are the only way they can practice without disturbing their neighbors. They don't require the regular tuning of a piano since they don't have strings of course. Manufacturers have done a lot to make them as close to a piano without actually being a piano and the results are quite impressive. So don't feel like it's a lesser option if it works for you unless you don't feel like it is meeting your needs as a musician anymore. In that case, it is probably time to look for an acoustic piano that has more tonal nuance and the touch can be more tailored to you personally. In any case, I hope you continue to play long term!
@@andantepianoworks You didn't strike me as a Biased person at all... Your comment lets me know you're not snobbish about your hard earned and relatively rare skillset, too! Yes, I'm really grateful for the facts about Digitals that you pointed out; I think Digital Piano's 'democratised' Music in the same way Upright Piano's and Sheet Music did in the past, would you agree? I got the best within my Budget, (the Alesis Prestige Artist) before that I had a Yamaha PSR -73!, I've improved alot as a result. Perhaps, If I'm able, one day I'll graduate to gifting myself an Upright, (so far, my neighbours are super fine with me practising regularly, so, thankfully, no worries there!) I'm desirous of the tonal nuances and touch of the real thing. Thanks for the encouragement, 'm a Singer/Songer... and I plan to play always!
Very interesting discussion. Before I started playing the piano, I chauffered my concert pianist friend to a specialist shop in Western Switzerland, and I listened attentively to the discussions for prepping the piano for his concert. I have a digital piano now, and I know there are some maintenance issues associated with them. Maybe a topic for one of your upcoming videos?
I have a bit of experience with digitals and a lot on modern player systems. The main thing I have seen with digitals is if there is a spill that damages the electronics or a foreign object gets in (I found a thin cell phone jammed in one once, still a mystery how that happened?). Now and then an interior part of the digital action (interior playing mechanism) will break or become loose or make noise and need replacement. In all cases, you will need a qualified digital piano/electronic keyboard technician who knows how to take the case parts off and disconnect any cables and wires. The manufacturer or local dealer will oftentimes be able to refer you to a local (or the closest available tech) to you.
@@andantepianoworks I've already contacted him for a (thankfully) minor issue. I've heard that some digital pianos with sticky keys can be turned on the side and struck with a hand.
Thanks for informative and interesting conversation. It would be nice to add or make a short segment of this piano tuner actually working on tuning a piano. And show how it sounded at beginning of her process, some sample steps, and how it sounds when she's done. Especially, compare before and after tuning is done. And also, since she's a trained painist, it'd be wonderful to have her play a bit, and play by you as well, as a teacher.
Thanks! Maybe when I have her *actually* tune my piano, I'll get a little video of it (if she agrees!). The weather has remained pretty cool by me, so I need to wait until summer arrives.
Very cool! I love this sort of stuff. I tried learning Braille via corrispondance course, and it was not for me. I do betteer with a teacher. Piano Technology ia great for blind people.
Are you talking about the major scales and 7 variations PDF? Visit www.pianoroadmap.com/ and scroll down. You'll see a box that says "My gift to you: a FREE, 44-page PDF with all major scales + 7 variations". Enter your first name and email and you'll be sent the PDF for free :)
Thank you Laura and Susan for this informative and enjoyable video.
Thanks for watching! I had a great time!
This is so interesting - thank you for providing this info. It’s also inspiring to be at the piano more
Thanks for watching! I could talk about pianos all day but most people aren't interested, haha. Glad you found it interesting and informative. 😃
Thank you for a wonderful video! So many good questions and great answers!
Thank you for watching! I am glad you enjoyed our discussion, I had a lot of fun discussing all things piano.
Thank you for this very comprehensive yet understandable interview! You really covered a wide spectrum of very useful topics. I dabbled a bit into piano technology -- enough to know how much I don't know, but enough to have some understanding of how the pins behave and tune my own piano (using a digital tuner). I know it's not the best (missing that slight octave stretch and sounding a little dull on the top end), but mostly useable. My Yamaha U1 gets a "winter buzz" on A4, Bb4, and B4 which I'm sure has to do with a drop in humidity (it goes away in more humid months) -- not sure where it is or what's causing it -- soundboard, attachment of ribs to sound board ...
First off, I am a big fan of your punny username. I am not sure what kind of digital tuner you have but the advanced Electronic Tuning Devices (ETDs) that professional piano tuners use do account for octave stretch. They do a solid job. Without seeing your piano, it's hard to say what is causing the buzz. Do you have a piano tech? If you can be there when a tech is troubleshooting, it really helps because then you can have one person pressing on different parts that may be causing the issue while someone else can listen from different angles. Good luck finding a solution, I know buzzes can be distracting and maddening as a player.
@@andantepianoworks Thank you! I rather like your "Andante" name as well, as I tend to walk on the mild side. I used to have a Conn Strobotuner (years ago - 70's - 80's) when I was first considering becoming a piano tech (using a book, "First Steps in Piano Tuning" by Robert Nalder -- given to me by a retiring piano tech). But I never felt that I was either calibrating it correctly, or reading it closely enough. I used to tell people I can make a bad piano sound better, but I could never make a good piano sound right. I used it to keep my own piano tuned for a couple of decades, but as digital tuners became available, I abandoned the Conn for a basic Korg CA 50. I used the Korg to set the temperment and tune for most octaves except the lowest and highest octaves which I tune by ear to be beatless to the other octaves. But they are obviously not stretched. My latest venture was to use an Excel spreadsheet and calculate all half steps by the 12th root of 2, and then key the frequencies to 5 decimal places into Audacity to generate the tones (sine wave) which I then saved as short (15-second) .mp3 files and loaded a few octaves to my phone to keep handy as a "tuner". ( 🙂 ). But again, they're not stretched. I suppose I could remedy that somewhat if I knew what the stretched frequencies are -- and keyed them into Audacity. I was wonderig if there are published tables of what the (possibly various) stretch frequencies should be for all 88 keys, then began searching, and looking at the Peterson Autostrobe 490-ST, I find that there are multiple sets of tables for different instruments and instrument sizes. So a one-set-fits-all does not seem to be an option. In any case, in my limited training and experience I at least recognize that each piano has its own "personality" and quirks that are not always going to fit the rigors of a table of frequencies, and in many instances a best-fit compromise is needed to get the best tuning the piano will allow, even if not perfect.
Both my budget and time are somewhat limited for these endeavors. I've looked at some of the advanced tuners, but I'm really only interested in keeping my own piano (Yamaha U1) "usable" (or perhaps a minor tweak for a friend -- providing they're willing to take a chance on me not breaking a string or causing any other mishap -- i.e with the pin block, etc.), and am not at all considering tuning any pianos professionally.
I use the U1 mainly for technical practice and learning and keeping repertoire in a (again ... ) "useable" state. Although I majored in organ and minored in piano in college, I recently retired from a 40-plus year IT career in which I spent countless 50-hour plus weeks on the QWERTY keyboard rather than the 88. So now I'm trying to regain some of that lost proficiency, and I find my U1 is sufficient for my scales and arpeggios at quarter notes MM = 60 - 😐 (I'm also trying to regain organ competency, so spend a bit of time on that as well.)
So the U1 is not horrible (or I would do something with it). It's a 1969 build (s/n 869396 - NIPPON GAKKI) which I bought used from a school in the 1980's and have done nothing to it since other than to tune it a few times. It holds its tuning like a rock, and we keep our home closed and at between 68 - 72 degrees year round. You can hear it on my channel in a recent recording titled "Hiding Place (U1 version)" and also in some recordings I made for teaching Leschetizkey's "close touch" (look for videos starting with "CT ") -- all on a tuning I did about ten years ago and haven't touched since.
The piano could definitely be put in much better condition. There are quite a number of broken hammer butt flange spring strings ("bobbling"). Also there is just the slightest amount of free play between when a key is first pressed and when it engages the rest of the action -- I suspect that I could "regulate" that a bit by turning the regulating screws or capstan screws, (I know -- I may be a bit naively ambitious ...), but the regulating screws all seem to be very tight, and I don't want to risk breaking any, so I'm just living with it for now. I have other instruments available at my church (including a Yamaha C1 and a CFX) for "serious" practice if needed (although I still cannot get the same nuances from a Yamaha as from a Steinway: when a Steinway is played from softer to louder, there seems to be something of a change in timbre which gives that renown singing quality; Yamaha's seem to just go from soft to loud ... )
In any case, the U1 is mostly livable with except when it's having that "winter buzz". It definitely seems to do with humidity, as it appears typically during the winter months, and usually on those three notes. Otherwise it's completely absent.
Perhaps you may have a suggestion -- I've been considering adding some humidification directly around the piano, but I'm concerned that any sufficient humidity that may help address the buzz may have an overall adverse effect on the entire piano (tuning, etc.). I'm thinking that you will probably say that the best course is to have a technician look into it -- but, it's like a doctor's appointment -- I'm afraid as to what else may be discovered ... 😐
So, although I can hardly justify the cost considering my current level of use, at some point I will have to decide to have it looked into and prepare to do what's necessary ( I was thinking that if it's a loose rib I could just stuff some chewing gum in there .. no? ;-)
Thanks -- I hope you didn't mind reading all this ...
I hope you have a blessed week!
Excellent! I really enjoyed those rare insights. (Even though I only play a Digital, fully weighted, 88 Key Piano)
As do I.
I've seen a couple videos on maintenance on digital pianos, maybe a logical next step?
@@lawrencetaylor4101 Could well be! I guess Digitals are made in such a way that makes them 'maintenance free' they're stable and can't be fixed, unless you're familiar with electronics - I don't know, tho'
You'd think I'd be biased against digitals as an acoustic tech, but I am a fan of anything that gets people into piano playing. It's also a more economical and space-friendly option for a lot of people, especially those living in apartments or close quarters where space is limited and headphones are the only way they can practice without disturbing their neighbors. They don't require the regular tuning of a piano since they don't have strings of course. Manufacturers have done a lot to make them as close to a piano without actually being a piano and the results are quite impressive. So don't feel like it's a lesser option if it works for you unless you don't feel like it is meeting your needs as a musician anymore. In that case, it is probably time to look for an acoustic piano that has more tonal nuance and the touch can be more tailored to you personally. In any case, I hope you continue to play long term!
@@andantepianoworks You didn't strike me as a Biased person at all... Your comment lets me know you're not snobbish about your hard earned and relatively rare skillset, too!
Yes, I'm really grateful for the facts about Digitals that you pointed out; I think Digital Piano's 'democratised' Music in the same way Upright Piano's and Sheet Music did in the past, would you agree?
I got the best within my Budget, (the Alesis Prestige Artist) before that I had a Yamaha PSR -73!, I've improved alot as a result.
Perhaps, If I'm able, one day I'll graduate to gifting myself an Upright, (so far, my neighbours are super fine with me practising regularly, so, thankfully, no worries there!) I'm desirous of the tonal nuances and touch of the real thing.
Thanks for the encouragement, 'm a Singer/Songer... and I plan to play always!
Very interesting discussion. Before I started playing the piano, I chauffered my concert pianist friend to a specialist shop in Western Switzerland, and I listened attentively to the discussions for prepping the piano for his concert.
I have a digital piano now, and I know there are some maintenance issues associated with them. Maybe a topic for one of your upcoming videos?
I have a bit of experience with digitals and a lot on modern player systems. The main thing I have seen with digitals is if there is a spill that damages the electronics or a foreign object gets in (I found a thin cell phone jammed in one once, still a mystery how that happened?). Now and then an interior part of the digital action (interior playing mechanism) will break or become loose or make noise and need replacement. In all cases, you will need a qualified digital piano/electronic keyboard technician who knows how to take the case parts off and disconnect any cables and wires. The manufacturer or local dealer will oftentimes be able to refer you to a local (or the closest available tech) to you.
@@andantepianoworks I've already contacted him for a (thankfully) minor issue. I've heard that some digital pianos with sticky keys can be turned on the side and struck with a hand.
Thanks for informative and interesting conversation. It would be nice to add or make a short segment of this piano tuner actually working on tuning a piano. And show how it sounded at beginning of her process, some sample steps, and how it sounds when she's done. Especially, compare before and after tuning is done. And also, since she's a trained painist, it'd be wonderful to have her play a bit, and play by you as well, as a teacher.
Thanks! Maybe when I have her *actually* tune my piano, I'll get a little video of it (if she agrees!). The weather has remained pretty cool by me, so I need to wait until summer arrives.
@@PianoRoadmap I am totally open to that; however, your piano is very stable and may not be out of tune enough for people to hear a difference. 😅
A wonderfully interesting video,thanks so much!
Very cool! I love this sort of stuff.
I tried learning Braille via corrispondance course, and it was not for me. I do betteer with a teacher.
Piano Technology ia great for blind people.
Very interesting interview, thank you!
Glad you enjoyed it!
Thanks for your teaching sessions but I failed to download music scales, how is it done?
Are you talking about the major scales and 7 variations PDF? Visit www.pianoroadmap.com/ and scroll down. You'll see a box that says "My gift to you: a FREE, 44-page PDF with all major scales + 7 variations". Enter your first name and email and you'll be sent the PDF for free :)
I would love to get an acoustic piano but I am pretty sure it would drive my wife nuts hearing me stumbling over difficult sections repeatedly.
😆