Grand Piano Action Design - Basics

By purchasing a ticket, you will receive a link to access the video on YouTube, and you can watch it whenever you like, as many times as you want.

You want to do the best possible action regulation, or you want to replace an action or just hammers: this class is made for you!

This class is about 1h35min long. Pre-recorded video, in english with english and chinese subtitles. 

You have any questions following the class? No problem, send us an email and we will respond as soon as possible.

A handout will be provided with all the essential notions (PDF Format).

Principles and techniques acquired:

• Learn how to design proper hammer for a grand piano

• Know the different action parts available on the market

• Understand the importance of every aspect of the wippen

• Understand how to position the wippen perfectly in relation to the hammer shank, depending on the types of the parts

• The relation between the backcheck and the hammer tail: how to optimise it

• Know the operating parameters of a grand piano action

• Analyze the grand piano action

Program: 

I. Parts Geometry

1. How to install new hammers on a piano: calculate the bored length, measure or calculate the different angles of boring, choose the best shape for the tails... 

2. The wippens: We will show you the different types of wippens, and the most interesting dimensions to consider. We'll explain how to place the wippen in relation to the hammer.

3. Keys: The keys ratio and why you should consider it. 

4. Backchecks: How to adjust them in the best possible way. 

II. References

1. Strings heigths and angles 

2. Action ratio

III. Optimizing

1. Magic-lines: how to see easily where you are

2. Impacts for the pianist

The instructor: Francois-Jerome VINCENT is a piano designer and technician. After a 4 years training in piano rebuilding and concert services, Francois start working with the french piano maker Stephen Paulello for more than 5 years, on piano making, rebuilding, and optimizing. He is now doing consulting for some of the best piano makers and technicians around the world. He is designing pianos for factories, and he is helping the piano technicians to replace piano actions, improve the scaling or the soundboard. He is doing some research with different universities in Europe or in the USA. He has been invited to do seminars by several piano technician guilds or independ businesses in different countries: USA, France, New Zealand, Germany, Switzerland, etc...