How to Become a Piano Technician

Module 1: Introduction to Piano Technology

Get oriented with the field of piano technology and understand what tools you need.

Lesson Length
Welcome to Howard Piano Industries!0:59
How Do I Become A Piano Technician? - First Steps14:39
What Tools Do You Need to Tune a Piano?0:54
Parts And Tools To Keep In A Piano Technician's Tool Case - Piano Tuning & Repair19:19
How Much Money Can You Make as a Piano Technician?9:48

Module 2: Piano Mechanics & Action

Understand how piano parts interact and function mechanically.

Lesson Length
Grand Piano Action Parts7:19
Accessing a Grand Piano's Action15:30
How A Vertical Piano Action Works7:56
Vertical Piano Action Parts7:24

Module 3: Tuning Fundamentals

Learn the essential theory and practice of piano tuning.

Lesson Length
Piano Tuning Theory - Notes and Intervals [Part 1]11:33
Piano Tuning Theory - Understanding Partials [Part 2]7:09
Piano Tuning Theory - What are Beats? [Part 3]5:28
Piano Tuning Theory - Coincident Partials [Part 4]5:56
Piano Tuning Theory - Hertz, Beats and Cents [Part 5]9:04
Piano Tuning Theory - Temperament [Part 6]9:42
Setting A440 To A Tuning Fork - Piano Tuning9:50
Piano Tuning - How to Tune A Piano Part 1 - Introduction4:55
Piano Tuning - How to Tune A Piano Part 2 - Tools Needed5:26
Piano Tuning - How to Tune A Piano Part 3 - Electronic Tuning Devices20:31
Piano Tuning - How to Tune A Piano Part 4 - Tuning Hammer Technique7:21
Piano Tuning - How to Tune A Piano Part 5 - Tuning the Midrange13:19
Piano Tuning - How to Tune A Piano Part 6 - Tuning the Unisons12:18
Piano Tuning - How to Tune A Piano Part 7 - Tuning the High Treble4:10
Piano Tuning - How to Tune A Piano [Part 8] - Tuning the Bass Section8:39
Tuning Lever Technical11:09
Piano Tuning - Pitchraise Demonstration33:43

Module 4: Regulating

Learn how to regulate piano actions for optimal performance.

Lesson Length
Bedding The Grand Piano Keyframe - Piano Regulating11:15
Piano Regulating - Measuring String Height On A Grand Piano9:45
Piano Regulating - Adjusting Let-off On a Grand Piano10:26
Regulating Key Dip and Aftertouch - Piano Tuning & Repair9:01
Regulating Vertical Piano Backchecks - Piano Tuning & Repair8:14
Piano Regulating - Regulating Drop On A Grand Piano Action4:28
Piano Regulating - Adjusting Hammer Blow Distance On A Grand Piano Action4:06
Piano Regulation - Grand Piano Repetition Spring Adjustment7:00
Piano Regulation - Repetition Lever Height On A Grand Piano Action9:11
Piano Regulation - Adjusting The Jack Position On A Grand Piano Action6:46
Piano Tuning & Repair - Adjusting Lost Motion In A Vertical Piano7:37
Piano Tuning & Repair - Adjusting Let-off In A Vertical Piano9:56
Piano Regulation - Adjusting The Backcheck Distance On A Grand Piano7:29
Adjusting Lost Motion On A Spinet Piano - Piano Tuning & Repair9:52
Easing Grand Piano Damper Guide Rail Bushings - Piano Tuning & Repair4:13

Module 5: Voicing

Learn about piano hammer voicing and related tools.

Lesson Length
Hammer Voicing - Piano Tuning & Repair 9:53

Module 6: Repairs & Maintenance

Learn essential piano repairs and maintenance techniques.

Lesson Length
Piano Music Wire - Types, Sizes And Uses8:17
Measuring For A Custom Piano Bass String Replacement8:03
Piano Restringing [Part 1] - Replace Piano Strings9:34
Piano Restringing [Part 2] - Replace Piano Strings11:22
Piano Restringing [Part 3] - Replace Piano Strings8:21
Fixing a Bass String by Twisting16:52
Mismatched Bass String - This Doesn't Sound So Good!2:06
Tying a Broken Piano String9:00
Replacing a Broken String In A Piano17:31
Preparing A Universal Piano Bass String for Replacement12:24
How to Fix a Sticking Piano Key (Part 1: Problems with the Keys)0:57
How to Fix a Sticking Piano Key (Part 2: Problems with the Action)0:58
How to Fix a Sticking Piano Key (Part 3: Problems in Spinet Pianos)0:44
How to Make a Piano Hitch Pin String Loop5:21
Hide Glue Preparation15:02
Some Of The Keys On This Piano Make Clicking Noises - See How We Fix The Problem!4:21
CA Glue - Types and Uses in Piano Work8:22
Using CA Glue To Repair Loose Tuning Pins In An Upright Piano3:20
Grand Piano Knuckle Replacement8:20
Disassembling the Sides, Strings, Tuning Pins, and Plate10:00
Fixing Loose Tuning Pins11:45
Fixing a Loose Tuning Pin with an Oversized Tuning Pin7:23
Installing Music Desk Suede5:23
How To Clean Piano Keytops4:41
Fixing Sticky Piano Keys by Adjusting Keyslip3:58
How to Replace Piano Keytops6:50
Squaring And Spacing The Keys4:41
Replacing Piano Keybed Felts5:34
Piano Key Leveling9:26
Flange Rebushing10:39
Installing Felt for Grand Desk Slides8:30
Cleaning & Lubricating Keypins7:56
Lubricating Key Bushings5:00
Diagnosing Clicking Noises In A Vertical Piano7:39
How To Install Piano Bridle Straps8:47
Pitchraise Tuning Using TuneLab8:58
Piano Sharp Leveling7:56
Fixing Loose Or Tight Piano Flanges12:05
Key Easing Iron Broaches4:37
Replacing Spinet Lifter Grommets4:05
Replacing Piano Key Bushings Part 1 - Removing Old Bushings4:28
Replacing Piano Key Bushings Part 2 - Installing New Felt8:53

Module 7: Piano Care & Cosmetic Maintenance

Learn how to care for and maintain the cosmetic aspects of your piano, including cleaning, moving, and hardware maintenance.

Lesson Length
Cleaning the Inside of a Grand Piano12:33
Cleaning The Inside Of A Vertical Or Upright Piano9:35
How to Disassemble an Upright Piano11:29
How To Buy A Used Piano10:13
How To Move A Vertical Piano9:50
Piano Caster Cups7:52
Piano Cover Options4:53
Polishing Pedals And Other Hardware On A Piano - Piano Maintenance6:38
Changing Dampp Chaser Humidifier Pads In A Vertical Piano10:44
Spurlock Soundboard Duster- Best Tool For Dusting A Grand Piano Soundboard3:15
Measuring For A Grand Piano Cover2:59
Measuring Piano Hinges For New Hinge Pins4:25
Piano Desk Knobs6:10

Module 8: Podcasts and Vlog

Explore interviews, podcasts, and vlogs related to piano technology and technician life.

Lesson Length
The Birth of the Piano14:10
Piano Technology: A Beginner's Playbook14:40
Shudi & Broadwood: European Dynasty15:44
Tech Talk with Mario Igrec1:18:25

Download the Free Technician Checklist

Get a printable tools & tuning essentials guide to accompany your training.

Get the Checklist