Our Services
When I tune a piano for the first time I provide an estimate of the age, condition and value of the piano and an honest assessment of any work it may need for the future.The goal is to get the piano to A440 hertz, concert pitch in the USA:
- This is critical for a pianist to build good intonation as a musician
- It’s also important for the health of the piano to keep the proper tension on the pinblock, strings, bridge and soundboard. This can add decades of life to a piano
- No one wants to play or listen to an out of tune instrument
Repairs
I’m proficient at all types of repairs for a piano, including:
- broken strings
- dead and sticking keys
- broken hammers
- damage to keytops
- pedal malfunctions
Regulation
Regulation is the adjustment of the piano action, trapwork and damper system to correct the effects of repetitive motion and climate on the wood, cloth and felt inside the piano. Regulation makes the touch and sound consistent to achieve the widest variety of dynamics and make the keys supple and responsive-in other words getting the piano to feel great to play.
Key steps including filing the hammers, replacing the punchings, tightening the flange screws and aligning all the parts.
Voicing
Felt hammers of the piano tend to harden with repetitive motion as the felt becomes more compressed. Grooves form on the hammers as they contact the strings. Hard hammers can produce a harsh and dissonant tone over time. The beauty of the sound of the piano created by the hammers can be restored by filing the hammers, using voicing needles or special hardening agents depending on what the situation calls for.
Cleaning
Pianos are a fine piece of furniture that help showcase a home. Most of the pianos I tune have not been cleaned in decades.
Needless to say they can benefit greatly from having a professional internal and external cleaning with a shop vac, professional cleaning solutions, and the highest quality piano polish available to restore their original beauty.
Climate Control
New England is one of the worst climates in the world for pianos because of the sharp fluctuation in humidity, dropping close to 0% in winter and rising to over 70% in summer. This causes the wood and felt parts of the piano to contract and swell violently bringing the piano out of tune and shortening the lifespan. The ideal climate for the piano is 70 degrees farenheit and 45% humidity. Installing a Piano Life Saver system keeps the temperature and humidity consistent year round inside the piano, keeping the piano in tune longer and adding decades of life to the instrument. More info: www.pianolifesaver.com/english
Piano Appraisals
I offer appraisals for homeowners and insurance companies.
Piano Lessons and Entertainment
I teach piano and voice at my home in Hebron. I’m experienced in all styles of music including Classical, Jazz and Popular. My teaching philosophy is based on comprehensive music theory, sight singing, ear training, and music history.
I also play parties, weddings, and events. My repertoire includes over 400 popular songs by artists like The Beatles, George Gershwin, Elton John, Billy Joel, and many more. I also play Classical Music, Ragtime, Jazz and TV and Movie Themes.
Service Area
My service area includes Connecticut, Rhode Island, and Massachusetts. The bulk of my calls originate within 100 miles of my office in Hebron CT.
CT Towns commonly frequented: Andover, Ashford, Avon, Berlin, Bloomfield, Bolton, Bozrah, Bristol, Brooklyn, Canterbury, Canton, Chaplin, Chester, Clinton, Colchester, Columbia, Coventry, Cromwell, Deep River, Durham, East Granby, East Haddam, East Hampton, East Hartford, East Lyme, East Windsor, Eastford, Ellington, Enfield, Essex, Farmington, Franklin, Glastonbury, Granby, Griswold, Groton, Haddam, Hampton, Hartford, Hartland, Hebron, Killingly/Danielson, Killingworth, Lebanon, Ledyard, Lisbon, Lyme, Manchester, Mansfield, Marlborough, Middlefield, Middletown, Montville, New Britain, New London, Newington, North Stonington, Norwich, Old Lyme, Old Saybrook, Plainfield, Plainville, Pomfret, Portland, Preston, Putnam, Rocky Hill, Salem, Scotland, Simsbury, Somers, South Windsor, Southington, Sprague, Stafford, Sterling, Stonington, Suffield, Thompson, Tolland, Union, Vernon, Voluntown, Waterford, West Hartford, Westbrook, Wethersfield, Willington, Windham, Windsor, Windsor Locks, Woodstock