Thirst for knowledge

Openwood · Post by **Openwood** » 29 Jun 2008, 23:27

Can any of you diamond geezers and geezettes recommend a book that will explain clearly and concisely how a piano works? I really want to improve my knowledge of all this flange bushing agraffe duplex shank roller blah blah you lot are always going on about but I don't know where to start. Any ideas?

Brumtuner · Post by **Brumtuner** » 30 Jun 2008, 09:45

"I really want to improve my knowledge of all this flange bushing agraffe duplex shank roller blah blah "

You sound like you've got it sussed already, old son.

genaa · Post by **genaa** » 30 Jun 2008, 13:25

Have you tried either the Larry Fine "The Piano Book' or A Reblitz "Piano rebuilding"

Might start you off and you may be able to order a copy through your local library.

Have fun

Openwood · Post by **Openwood** » 30 Jun 2008, 15:35

Thanks, I stupidly gave away my copy of the Larry Fine book a few years ago but I've just ordered another copy from Amazon. I've got this idea of getting an old upright to tinker around with so I can understand more about how the thing works. I don't want to tune it but it frustrates me that I don't know how it works or what may be causing certain problems.

Post by **Barrie Heaton** » 30 Jun 2008, 19:19

Not that I have read it but Larry Fine book is just about pianos not their workings. A Reblitz is Ok but it leave out big gaps

* A Treatise on the Art of Pianoforte Construction
* Anatomy of the Piano
* The Modern Piano
All can be got off UK Piano page shop or the your local Library

other stuff is

The piano key and Whppen by Walter Pfeiffer if you want to go deep
Dietz Steinway Regulation ISBN 3 920112 16 4 is nice read

Barrie,

Post by **vernon** » 30 Jun 2008, 19:58

further to Barrie's suggestion. " The Art of Pianoforte Construction" iby Wolfenden, is the definitive, albeit old fashioned, bible.
Quite rare now. Lost mine.

Openwood · Post by **Openwood** » 30 Jun 2008, 21:23

Thanks for those - will have a trawl!

genaa · Post by **genaa** » 30 Jun 2008, 21:48

hehe i feel some book hunting coming on as well

love learning about just what makes a piano 'tick'

Post by **Barrie Heaton** » 30 Jun 2008, 23:35

vernon wrote:further to Barrie's suggestion. " The Art of Pianoforte Construction" iby Wolfenden, is the definitive, albeit old fashioned, bible.
Quite rare now. Lost mine.

A Treatise on the Art of Pianoforte Construction is The Art of Pianoforte Construction by Wolfenden just republished with the full title

Barrie,

Antz · Post by **Antz** » 04 Jul 2008, 22:22

From a parallel thread ("Books about pianos"), this recommendation from Longbow:

longbow wrote:There is a relatively new book out that is a rival to "Reblitz" titled "Upright & Grand Piano Repair" by Carl-Johan Forss. Not a very imaginative title but worth a read. Heckschers stock it.

Post by **Barrie Heaton** » 05 Jul 2008, 00:09

Also

Steinway Service Manual
ISBN: 978-3-923639-15-1
Max Matthias

Your local library should be able to get hold of a copy on the inter library exchange but some books I have got them to get for me they will only let your read on site like Clinkscale so i got my own

Barrie,

TheBritishPianist · Post by **TheBritishPianist** » 09 Jul 2008, 09:13

Just go and work in a piano dealers for a few weeks like I did. You'll learn way more being told stuff first hand than reading it in a book, trust me.