Notes from the Berkshires, Day 9
Lenox Coffee, 7.38 a.m.
I freely admit it: little details bug me to distraction. After a week of looking at the blog and seeing the date of posting mismatched to the date of the entry, I can't stands it no more. A slight alteration in the postings, then. I'll post on the day of the entry, and simply past my notes from the day before. This also provides an opportunity to look ahead to the coming day, instead of constant recapitulation. I can be more creative with titles, too; "Notes from the Berkshires, Day X" was already getting old over there on the right side of the page.
See how I am? Maybe this is why I'm good at repetitive tasks like tuning and regulating a piano.
ANYWAY, it is, indeed, raining here for the first time since my arrival, and so far it's not unpleasant. I suppose I'll change my opinion once the pianos start soaking up all of the excess moisture, putting molasses into all the moving parts, but for now, with a coffee in front of me in the warm and cozy coffee shop, everything is just fine. I'll head in a little early today, in an attempt to finish the regulation I began late yesterday afternoon, and then it will be off to wherever Scott sends me. We still have quite a few pianos that we haven't seen yet, so I anticipate the week will just become busier as it progresses.
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
Notes from the Berkshires:Day 8
6/8, 9.04 p.m.
The weather here in the Pittsfield/Lenox corridor has been, by all accounts, unseasonably lovely and dry. Good for us, good for the pianos. Sounds like it’s about to change, however. The current forecast has one of those pretty unambiguous statements along the lines of “predicted rainfall amounts of…” which are rarely present unless they (whomever “they” are) are pretty darn sure it’s going to rain, and significantly. So – here we go, into humidity-land.
I worked on two pianos today: the second B in the Maple studio, and an M which lives in the conductor’s room at Ozawa Hall. We’ve had a few discussions about voicing now, and so I spent most of the time on the B dealing with hammer/string mating, filing, and needling, trying to even out the tone. The tricky part is voicing for the shift pedal, because if that sounds good, it’s possible that it comes at the expense of some of the power of the full three-string unison. Fortunately, we have time to experiment a little right now, and I had some good times bringing notes up and down by alternating needling and polishing. The M in Ozawa has already had some of this work done, but hadn’t been fully regulated yet (one of the weirdnesses of having all four of us moving around is that sometimes things get done to pianos out of what would be a “normal” sequence), so that was my task. I’m starting to get the hang of setting key dip and then using aftertouch as a diagnostic and measurement tool right away. If someone had told me two weeks ago that I’d be using aftertouch to set blow distance, I wouldn’t have known what they were talking about.
Also continuing to enjoy the Crawford book. There are some great passages on the state of college education, and some hilarious (in a sort of chilling way) descriptions of life in the cubicle-filled workplace. I’ll definitely be recommending this to some friends.
The weather here in the Pittsfield/Lenox corridor has been, by all accounts, unseasonably lovely and dry. Good for us, good for the pianos. Sounds like it’s about to change, however. The current forecast has one of those pretty unambiguous statements along the lines of “predicted rainfall amounts of…” which are rarely present unless they (whomever “they” are) are pretty darn sure it’s going to rain, and significantly. So – here we go, into humidity-land.
I worked on two pianos today: the second B in the Maple studio, and an M which lives in the conductor’s room at Ozawa Hall. We’ve had a few discussions about voicing now, and so I spent most of the time on the B dealing with hammer/string mating, filing, and needling, trying to even out the tone. The tricky part is voicing for the shift pedal, because if that sounds good, it’s possible that it comes at the expense of some of the power of the full three-string unison. Fortunately, we have time to experiment a little right now, and I had some good times bringing notes up and down by alternating needling and polishing. The M in Ozawa has already had some of this work done, but hadn’t been fully regulated yet (one of the weirdnesses of having all four of us moving around is that sometimes things get done to pianos out of what would be a “normal” sequence), so that was my task. I’m starting to get the hang of setting key dip and then using aftertouch as a diagnostic and measurement tool right away. If someone had told me two weeks ago that I’d be using aftertouch to set blow distance, I wouldn’t have known what they were talking about.
Also continuing to enjoy the Crawford book. There are some great passages on the state of college education, and some hilarious (in a sort of chilling way) descriptions of life in the cubicle-filled workplace. I’ll definitely be recommending this to some friends.
Monday, June 8, 2009
Notes from the Berkshires:Day 7
6/7, 10.06 p.m.
And on the seventh day I rested. To the point of almost neglecting a journal entry. Spent the day in a conscious attempt to think little of pianos. Laundry, an attempt (unsuccessful) to figure out the non-functioning taillight on the van, a great hike in a nearby state forest, grocery shopping, phone calls to family and friends, and reading. I even broke out the Stick for 40 minutes of playing. The batteries are recharged, and I’m ready to rock tomorrow.
And on the seventh day I rested. To the point of almost neglecting a journal entry. Spent the day in a conscious attempt to think little of pianos. Laundry, an attempt (unsuccessful) to figure out the non-functioning taillight on the van, a great hike in a nearby state forest, grocery shopping, phone calls to family and friends, and reading. I even broke out the Stick for 40 minutes of playing. The batteries are recharged, and I’m ready to rock tomorrow.
Sunday, June 7, 2009
Notes from the Berkshires:Day 6
6/6, 9.17 p.m.
First things first: this is V’s birthday, so great wishes fly her direction. I hate not being with her today, and really hope we don’t have to spend any more of either of our birthdays apart. I managed to secrete a small token for her amusement at home before I left, so she’ll at least have something from me on the day.
This is the end of week one of eleven. Counting it like that makes it sound as if I’m looking forward to the end, but that isn’t the case; I’m actually amazed it’s disappeared as quickly as it has. I spent the entire day on a single piano, the A in the chamber music hall. This, I think, will be a rarity, to spend so much time on a single instrument, but I’m going to enjoy it while it lasts. Today I took it from its out-of-the-box state to a condition which I would call “middle regulation”. This is the state between rough (where it was, coming directly from the Company) and fine (ready for a performance). I had gotten most of the way there with the B in the Maple performance space, but I took it to the next level here, and felt pretty good about the results. I am starting to grasp the method to Scott’s madness, and am dialing in some of the skills necessary to preparing these pianos in the way he suggests. Not to say I’m doing it flawlessly yet, or even close, but still there is definite progress. We also had a session on voicing today, and I’m just at the beginning stages of that, having dumped what seemed like a pint of lacquer into the hammers as a last task of the day.
Left around 4.30, and found a backroads route home that avoids the traffic through Lenox and into Pittsfield. This will come in very handy when the crowds descend at the end of the month. Part of the route looked to be a decent running road, so I used that as the basis for my afternoon run, and it turned out to be a good choice: a circle (more of a triangle, actually) of around four miles, with very nice hills and scenery along the way. The only thing that kept it from being ideal was the traffic at the beginning and end, as I’m leaving and heading back into town, but that just means no headphones and no running that route after dark. Stretched, showered, fixed a simple dinner, and then walked downtown, where I found the local brewpub, which was very acceptable both in atmosphere and beer. No wi-fi, or it would be perfect. I’ll probably be spending some time there this summer.
It’s a beautiful night, and I’m enjoying some music (Mike Giles’ 3 X 5), and not thinking about pianos for a few hours. Tomorrow will be a day of laundry/groceriy/other stuff-that-needs-to-be-taken-care-of.
First things first: this is V’s birthday, so great wishes fly her direction. I hate not being with her today, and really hope we don’t have to spend any more of either of our birthdays apart. I managed to secrete a small token for her amusement at home before I left, so she’ll at least have something from me on the day.
This is the end of week one of eleven. Counting it like that makes it sound as if I’m looking forward to the end, but that isn’t the case; I’m actually amazed it’s disappeared as quickly as it has. I spent the entire day on a single piano, the A in the chamber music hall. This, I think, will be a rarity, to spend so much time on a single instrument, but I’m going to enjoy it while it lasts. Today I took it from its out-of-the-box state to a condition which I would call “middle regulation”. This is the state between rough (where it was, coming directly from the Company) and fine (ready for a performance). I had gotten most of the way there with the B in the Maple performance space, but I took it to the next level here, and felt pretty good about the results. I am starting to grasp the method to Scott’s madness, and am dialing in some of the skills necessary to preparing these pianos in the way he suggests. Not to say I’m doing it flawlessly yet, or even close, but still there is definite progress. We also had a session on voicing today, and I’m just at the beginning stages of that, having dumped what seemed like a pint of lacquer into the hammers as a last task of the day.
Left around 4.30, and found a backroads route home that avoids the traffic through Lenox and into Pittsfield. This will come in very handy when the crowds descend at the end of the month. Part of the route looked to be a decent running road, so I used that as the basis for my afternoon run, and it turned out to be a good choice: a circle (more of a triangle, actually) of around four miles, with very nice hills and scenery along the way. The only thing that kept it from being ideal was the traffic at the beginning and end, as I’m leaving and heading back into town, but that just means no headphones and no running that route after dark. Stretched, showered, fixed a simple dinner, and then walked downtown, where I found the local brewpub, which was very acceptable both in atmosphere and beer. No wi-fi, or it would be perfect. I’ll probably be spending some time there this summer.
It’s a beautiful night, and I’m enjoying some music (Mike Giles’ 3 X 5), and not thinking about pianos for a few hours. Tomorrow will be a day of laundry/groceriy/other stuff-that-needs-to-be-taken-care-of.
Saturday, June 6, 2009
Notes from the Berkshires:Day 5
6/5, 9.55 p.m.
I made it through the entire day without having to tune an upright for the first time this week. Got to spend my time on the B I’ve been prepping in one room, and then I got to start the process on two other pianos in another venue, another B and an A. All these letters, for anyone who might be wondering, are Steinway model designations – Tanglewood is a “Steinway Venue”, meaning all the pianos are either Steinways, or another brand built under the Steinway umbrella, in this case, “Boston”. The Steinways are the instruments for all the performance venues and most of the rehearsal spaces, while the Bostons – some grands, but a lot of verticals as well – end up in the spaces outside the main grounds, and in the summer homes of faculty and staff who require an instrument.
Anyway, as I had thought, we’re slowly being let out on our own to get these pianos ready, which is great fun and also gives us a sense of ownership of the various instruments on which we spend hours. I’m looking forward to the time when I can hear a performance on a piano I’ve prepared and tuned. At least, I think I’m looking forward to that!
Had dinner after work at Scott’s digs with the other techs, and got a taste of some of what he’s been working on in his own business; some very interesting ideas, some of which he has obtained patents for, for innovations to piano design. I admire people who are able to follow original trains of thought in that way, to see possibilities for change that others have missed, or never considered. Some of the information was pretty technical, and while I was interested, I was also very tired, and excused myself early.
I made it through the entire day without having to tune an upright for the first time this week. Got to spend my time on the B I’ve been prepping in one room, and then I got to start the process on two other pianos in another venue, another B and an A. All these letters, for anyone who might be wondering, are Steinway model designations – Tanglewood is a “Steinway Venue”, meaning all the pianos are either Steinways, or another brand built under the Steinway umbrella, in this case, “Boston”. The Steinways are the instruments for all the performance venues and most of the rehearsal spaces, while the Bostons – some grands, but a lot of verticals as well – end up in the spaces outside the main grounds, and in the summer homes of faculty and staff who require an instrument.
Anyway, as I had thought, we’re slowly being let out on our own to get these pianos ready, which is great fun and also gives us a sense of ownership of the various instruments on which we spend hours. I’m looking forward to the time when I can hear a performance on a piano I’ve prepared and tuned. At least, I think I’m looking forward to that!
Had dinner after work at Scott’s digs with the other techs, and got a taste of some of what he’s been working on in his own business; some very interesting ideas, some of which he has obtained patents for, for innovations to piano design. I admire people who are able to follow original trains of thought in that way, to see possibilities for change that others have missed, or never considered. Some of the information was pretty technical, and while I was interested, I was also very tired, and excused myself early.
Friday, June 5, 2009
Notes from the Berkshires:Day 4
6/4, 9.13 p.m.
This is another of the amazing trees on the Tanglewood grounds: the largest birch I have ever seen. It’s hard to get a sense of scale from the photo, but if you imagine a “normal” birch tree - rather slender, not terribly tall, perhaps you can encompass the entire trunk within the grasp of your two hands - this is a tree on steroids. The twin trunks are each about two feet in diameter, and the top of the tree is literally held together with wire.
Very tired right now. After another full day, I came home, put on the shoes, and went for a run. Took a different direction than last time, with fewer hills, but I did more distance, somewhere around four miles. Made some dinner and called V, and now I’m just about toast.
My morning lot was to tune the last two uprights, and a challenge was set to increase my speed, but I’m just about at my maximum for my current skill set – around an hour and a quarter. Scott stopped by a couple of times, to urge me along, but also gave me some coaching on my technique, which was very helpful.
We’re now well into prepping the grands. Scott gives us more pieces of the set-up and regulation puzzle and then sends us out to our instruments to put the information into practice immediately. It’s a lot like being back in school, except now it’s not just practicing on a part of an old beater piano, it’s doing the “full monty” on an actual performance instrument, with real-world expectations both in terms of time spent and the result achieved. We’re being asked to develop skills of listening and touch very quickly. My head swims at times with new concepts, information, approaches, and technique. I have to say, it makes the day pass quickly, but it is exhausting, both mentally and physically. I’ll be ready for a break on Sunday.
This is another of the amazing trees on the Tanglewood grounds: the largest birch I have ever seen. It’s hard to get a sense of scale from the photo, but if you imagine a “normal” birch tree - rather slender, not terribly tall, perhaps you can encompass the entire trunk within the grasp of your two hands - this is a tree on steroids. The twin trunks are each about two feet in diameter, and the top of the tree is literally held together with wire.Very tired right now. After another full day, I came home, put on the shoes, and went for a run. Took a different direction than last time, with fewer hills, but I did more distance, somewhere around four miles. Made some dinner and called V, and now I’m just about toast.
My morning lot was to tune the last two uprights, and a challenge was set to increase my speed, but I’m just about at my maximum for my current skill set – around an hour and a quarter. Scott stopped by a couple of times, to urge me along, but also gave me some coaching on my technique, which was very helpful.
We’re now well into prepping the grands. Scott gives us more pieces of the set-up and regulation puzzle and then sends us out to our instruments to put the information into practice immediately. It’s a lot like being back in school, except now it’s not just practicing on a part of an old beater piano, it’s doing the “full monty” on an actual performance instrument, with real-world expectations both in terms of time spent and the result achieved. We’re being asked to develop skills of listening and touch very quickly. My head swims at times with new concepts, information, approaches, and technique. I have to say, it makes the day pass quickly, but it is exhausting, both mentally and physically. I’ll be ready for a break on Sunday.
Thursday, June 4, 2009
Notes from the Berkshires:Day 3
6/3, 9.49 p.m.
This is my first Steinway Model B of the week, serial #584920. A very nice 7’ piano, more or less straight out of the box, and I am the first technician outside of the Steinway factory to work with it. My job is to bring it into basic playing condition so a decision can be made regarding where it will live for the next two months. Pretty cool. Today I bedded the keyframe, made adjustments to the alignment and traveling paths of the hammers, did a preliminary evaluation of the aftertouch, and added a surprising amount of lacquer to the hammerheads in order to bring up the volume of the piano. Tomorrow I get to hear the results.
Started the day back in vertical-land, with another tuning, bringing my total to 8 so far. This one, though, went much better than the last, and started the day on a positive note. Went from there to a session on voicing, specifically on the use of lacquer as a hardening agent. Lots of focus on listening to the sound of individual notes, and making decisions based on what we hear. After lunch, we split up to our individual pianos and worked on prep, including what we talked about yesterday, the information from the morning’s session, and the beginnings of rough regulation. In short, lots of information, which we are being asked to apply almost instantaneously to real work on the pianos. Very exciting, and challenging.
Ended the day with some socializing with the tech staff at a local watering hole. Nice to relax a bit, and share stories and information. In a couple of weeks, the area will be taken over by the participants in, and listeners to, the music festival, so we’re all enjoying the calm before the storm, as it were.
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