A richly illustrated, contemporary guide for the fundamentals of piano tuning, regulation, and repair.
Registered Piano Technician Jason Cassel provides a clear, methodical path for those interested in learning the skills of a piano technician and turning that into a career. Over 170 photos and 40 supplemental videos help the reader understand what to listen for and how to subtly manipulate the tools to achieve success.
Key Features: - Rich Visuals: High-quality images and diagrams make complex concepts easy to understand.
- Video Content: Exclusive videos demonstrate key concepts, difficult procedures, and techniques. - Step-by-Step Lessons: Piano tuning, regulation, and repair are structured into 35 digestible lessons. - Hands-On Homework Assignments: Practical exercises are designed to build real-world experience. - Regulation Adjustments Table: A clear, easy-to-follow reference table shows each adjustment point and which direction to turn the screw. - US vs. UK Terminology Tables: Regional differences in piano terminology are explained.
Cassel explains how to safely remove the case parts of the piano and then the action parts before diving into piano tuning. He surveys the adjustment points in the piano action for both an upright and grand piano. The book includes both US and UK terminologies. Finally, the book lists the most common reasons for specific repairs, such as clicks, buzzes, squeaks, sticky keys, leaking/ringing dampers, and even a step-by-step guide to replacing a broken string.
By:
Jason Cassel
Imprint: Bloomsbury Academic
Country of Publication: United States
Dimensions:
Height: 254mm,
Width: 178mm,
ISBN: 9798216380184
Pages: 184
Publication Date: 19 February 2026
Audience:
Professional and scholarly
,
Undergraduate
Format: Paperback
Publisher's Status: Active
Introduction Unit 1. Removing the Piano Action 1. Types of Upright Pianos 2. Removing the Case Parts of an Upright Piano 3. Removing the Upright Action 4. Types of Grand Pianos 5. Removing the Case Parts of a Grand Piano 6. Removing the Grand Action 7. Deep Cleaning Unit 1 Exam Unit 2. Tuning 8. Beating 9. Finding the Correct Tuning Pin 10. Tuning a Unison, Part 1: Click Up 11. Tuning a Unison, Part 2: Nudge Down 12. Tuning a Unison Part 3: Polish with the Z-axis 13. Developing Good Habits 14. Tuning the Center String 15. Tuning a Unison, Part 4: Check Stability 16. Tips for Tuning in the Bass 17. Tips for Tuning the Treble 18. Pitch Raises & Tuning an Entire Piano Unit 2 Exam Unit 3. Upright Regulation 19. The Upright Keystroke 20. Three Adjustments on the Key 21. Three Measurements from the Hammer to the Strings 22. Upright Aftertouch Unit 3 Exam Unit 4. Grand Regulation 23. The Grand Keystroke 24. Three Adjustments on the Wippen 25. Four Measurements from the Hammer to the Strings 26. Grand Aftertouch Unit 4 Exam Unit 5. Voicing 27. Voicing for Evenness Unit 6. Repairs 28. Pedal Adjustments 29. Clicks 30. Buzzes 31. Squeaks 32. Double-Striking Hammers 33. Sticky Keys 34. Ringing Dampers 35. Broken Strings Final Exam Bonus Lesson. How to Run a Business Conclusion. What’s the Next Step? Appendix 1. A Beginner’s Tool Kit Appendix 2. Terminology to Remember Appendix 3. Regulation Specifications Acknowledgments About the Author
Jason Cassel serves as a piano technician for the School of Music at Brigham Young University, USA. He is a Registered Piano Technician with the Piano Technicians Guild, where he serves as both a Certified Tuning and Technical Examiner and has received manufacturer training from Steinway & Sons, Yamaha, Mason & Hamlin, and Renner USA. Cassel received the Crowl-Travis Member of Note Award for his contributions to the piano industry, as well as the Jack Greenfield Award in recognition of his over three dozen articles in the Piano Technicians Journal.
Reviews for The Fundamentals of Piano Tuning and Maintenance
As the owner of the largest piano tuning school in the United States, I recognize how important a strong foundation is. Jason Cassel has created exactly that here: a trustworthy and inspiring starting point for anyone curious about the craft. He brings a special gift for clarity to the page, guiding readers through what can often feel like a mysterious subject with patience, precision, and insight. -- Michael Stilwell * owner of Stilwell Pianos and the Piano Technician Academy *
