Piano, Organ, and Keyboard/Expert Profile

Expertise

I am a piano technician formerly with Steinway and Sons and now the staff technician at the City College of New York. I am also self-employed in New York. I apprenticed (Manhattan School of Music)in 1982 and was factory (Steinway) trained in 1983. I have experience tuning, repairing, reconditioning, and appraisals. Please note that appraising an instrument involves a visual inspection. I am not an expert in player mechanisms, refinishing, electronic keyboards, nor midi. I love the work of making an instrument sound concert quality.

Experience in the area

I successfully apprenticed at the Manhattan School of Music under Alan Buchman in 1982 (also received B.A. in music from same school) and employed by Steinway and Sons in 1983 as a tuner-technician. I also served as service manager for Steinway. Presently, I am the staff technician at City College of New York, CUNY and I handle warranty issues and tunings for Suzuki Pianos.

What do you like about this subject?

Pianos are amazing instruments; thousands of men and women have contributed to today's modern piano. It's probably the only high-tech machine that doesn't need electricity! Just imagine music without the piano. Unthinkable!

What do you still hope to achieve/learn in this field?

After 26 years, there is still so much to learn. Improving tonal and damper regulation and learning bellywork are among some of my interests.

Something interesting about this subject that others may not know:

Pianos have about 12,000 parts. A car has about 14,000.

Something controversial or provocative about this subject

It's nice for a technician to play piano well (which I do), but you don't have to. A shoemaker makes a helluva ballet slipper but you wouldn't want to see him dance.