Nigel Donovan
Furthermore: Some thoughts about pianos and piano tuning.
Traditionally, the piano tuner enters through the front door, never the tradesman’s entrance as he is escorted straight to the drawing room. He (or she!) is almost unique in being able to say almost exactly when he is going to call – unlike the plumber, washing machine man, telephone repair man, ... <more>
On a grand piano the soft pedal, that is the one on the left, is called the “Una Corda”. This is slightly misleading as it shifts the keyboard to one side, usually to the right, so that the hammers hit only two of the three strings in the treble (that’s the misleading bit, it doesn’t strike just “one string”)... <more>
Having followed closely the recent series of articles on tuners and their hearing in the PTA News, I wanted to find out more about the special deal on hearing protectors for PTA Members. As I am approaching middle age (!) and naturally keen on extending my tuning ears for as long as possible (it being a well known fact that tuners don’t retire, they just cut down a little), I phoned that number and I did find out more... <more>
As well as indicating frame of mind, temper means to adjust the frequency differences between the notes of a scale to allow modulation into other keys, from the Latin temperare: to mix. Why are the notes of a scale tempered, and is it still possible to play in any key if they are not? The conventional way of answering the question of temperament usually requires considerable mathematical ability which can be daunting, so I’ll try to demonstrate it another way... <more>
Recommended books on the subject of pianos and piano tuning. <more>
A Question and Answer service written for Pianist magazine under the title, 'Piano Clinic - Nigel Donovan of The Pianoforte Tuners' Association addresses your piano-related enquiries'. <more>
Links to piano related websites. <more>
