There is certainly a close relationship between pianoforte and harpsichord technology. In Germany the official denomination for our profession is “Klavier und Cembalobauer” (piano and harpsichord builder), but honestly: who is really familiar with harpsichords, pinets and perhaps also clavichords? Nowadays harpsichords are less common than some decades ago, when this line of business was added to our job description. Only rarely is a harpsichord found in a piano shop, while it was a regular item in the days when I was an apprentice. Today harpsichord players are often do-it yourselves out of necessity. But still piano technicians are faced with such requests, and for example in the opera piano technicians normally have to tune and repair harpsichords.
This class will cover the normal service work that is frequently asked for: Tuning, regulating, replacing single strings and plectra and so on.
Jan Grossbach is a professional piano technician (Klavier- und Cembalobauer in Germany), trained at the Neupert factory in Bamberg in the 1970s. He has been the editor of the Europiano magazine since 1996. Jan also does many other activities, like riding horses.
Event organised by the Association of Polish Piano Tuners
Seminar: 4 September (Sunday), 2.45 pm, Room Hazel