Piano Maker’s Corner: Partners in Full Potential
When I started having piano lessons, aged seven, I liked the idea of being a concert pianist. Sitting in front of a big, shiny piano in front of thousands of…
Piano Maker’s Corner: Nuts, Pianos, & Voicing
For a regular piano manufacturer, the words “harvest time” would not mean a great deal. Phoenix Pianos, based on Hurstwood Farm in Kent, however, is no regular piano manufacturer. For…
Piano Maker’s Corner: How I Came To Be A Phoenix Technician
The story of how Doug Chapman came to be a piano technician determined to let the world know that British pianos are again up there with the best. Being Piano Technician…
Piano Maker’s Corner: A Small Act of Kindness
Many years ago, a loyal client came to Ley Pianos looking to buy a new piano for her daughter. They owned an electric keyboard, but, her mother knew that the…
Piano Maker’s Corner: Ability and Pin Blocks
Did you know that pianos have ability? Pianos are usually tuned to A440 (normal pressure). If they can’t be tuned to that, they are tuned to the best of their…
Piano Maker’s Corner: Escape Velocity
This month Daniel Ley answers reader John R.'s questions, "What is the escapement? Is there one on every key? Do I need to have it adjusted every year?" Daniel also gives…
Piano Maker’s Corner: Moving Day!
For Ley Piano Company, piano moving in Tucson, Arizona can be a laborious task, especially during the scorching summers. However, as you can imagine, not all moves are the same.…
Piano Maker’s Corner: Built To Be Played
This month a reader posed the following question for Daniel. I love his answer (and my piano). One caveat: Pianos are designed to stand up to different types of playing. Not all…