Patrick Branstetter, Instructor

Every piano tuner first sets off on a long voyage where they wander into caves of the unknown. Crossing oceans of slow-to-fast waves, mazes and sound puzzles and coming across untamed unicorns and giant stretched octopuses with only a tuning lever in hand to navigate this undertaking. This class is to help navigate those waters. 

Tuners both experienced and new to the job will glean something or share their experience. 

In this class we will cover the following:

• Basics of tuning theory and how to apply it in a practical way

• Approaches to tuning both with an ETD and with only a tuning fork and the benefits to having both in your tool belt 

• Temperament Tuning and hearing beat speeds 

• Tuning techniques on a grand piano for both Left-handed and Right-handed people 

• Finding the ictus/ ouktus or following the bloom 

• Identifying meows, false beats, and other issues when tuning and some remedies for issues using the shift pedal, sostenuto, and focusing on the bridge and string 

• Making as close to bullet-proof tuning as possible 

*Some parts of this class will be a group discussion and some volunteers might be asked to come up and share obstacles, barriers or questions. Feel free to reach out if you have any questions.

Notes: Water, cider and light snacks will be provided. Please plan to eat lunch prior to the meeting or bring something along. Hot coffee and treats can be found nearby at Vermont Cookie Love.