Brian Wilson at Piano Care in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia | Professional service
Brian Wilson at Piano Care
Locality: Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
Phone: +61 438 196 372
Reviews
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25.01.2022 The Model L (continuation) My last post described the piano touch as heavy. Manufacturers have a process of weigh off which is the static weight of the key slowly descending with a certain weight. The key is also measured with the weight to slowly rise after being depressed. This is called Downweight and Upweight. Steinway specifications are for this model are 47 grams down & a minimum of 20 grams up. This is performed in the factory. My measurements were in excess of 60 grams in the bass to around 55-57 grams downweight in the treble. Yes, it was heavy. To be continued..
24.01.2022 Due to social distancing, concerts are cancelled however musicians have been treating us with online concerts. I know this instrument... very well. I set this instrument up after arriving from Boston, and have spent many hours tuning the strings and adjusting the mechanism. I have maintained the instrument for live performances, and this is the first time I have heard a recording. Credit must go to Tim for his musicianship however this is not possible without a well prepared instrument. https://vimeo.com/401210784
23.01.2022 Exam recitals begin today at School of Music, University of Queensland. Lots of notes to be played this week #pianoservice #pianotuner #pianotechnician #pianotechnicianlife #recitals #examseason #brisbanepianotuner
23.01.2022 Shigeru on the Water Beautiful Kawai piano #pianoservice #pianotuning #pianotechnician #pianotunerlife #brisbanepianotuner
23.01.2022 The Model L continuation. I have been waiting for parts that were mailed mid-March & one parcel has just arrived in Sydney after being in USPS Queens NY since 1st April. The NY Steinway has a Accelerated Action in which key leads are placed in a different position than other pianos. They also have a felt covered U shaped block at the key balance point. Obtaining new blocks have a 4 month wait, so I trialled OBWs (Optimised Balance Washers). This block has a 3 which I experimented moving the balance point 3mm towards the back of the key. This lowered the force (downweight) to depress the key. I have used another size OBW to trial with the new parts... when they arrive
22.01.2022 An interview with clarinetist Lloyd Vant Hoff on how he is coping with forced changes in his career. https://www.cutcommonmag.com/my-arts-career-during-covid-/
22.01.2022 Catching up with an old friend and her owner. Steinway M I restrung summer 2013 #steinway #grandpiano #pianoservice #pianotechnician #pianotechnicianlife #brisbanepianotuner #pianocare
21.01.2022 Mixed feelings. I was travelling to Munich tonight for a weeks holiday and after that attend a training seminar in Grub am Forst.Due to Covid-19, everything is cancelled. I will be taking an overdue break for the next two weeks & will stop and smell the flowers, enjoy some waves and to relax. See you on the other side. #pianotechnician #pianotuner #pianotunerlife #holiday #needabreak #brisbanepianotuner
19.01.2022 Ill be unavailable from Monday 21 to Thursday 24 September as I am attending an online training course. I can answer emails but will be out of hours.
19.01.2022 Early morning 2 1/2 hour pre-concert preparation for todays virtual concert from the Nickson Room, University of Queensland. Violinist In Yi Chae and pianist Alex Raineri. #275 is sounding a little brighter than 2 weeks ago. The last thing I want is an out of tune instrument broadcast over the internet. bit.ly/UQVirtualConcert29May
19.01.2022 The Model L continuation: On inspection of the keys, Ive worked out that there is factory and post factory keyleads. The added lead causes another scenario, but the lead is oxidising, so needs replacement. This opens up the idea to start the key lead balancing from a new perspective. The removed lead weighs 5.5 kg.
18.01.2022 Sunday concert day. Preparation of Shigeru Kawai SK7 for Brisbane Philharmonic Orchestra and pianist Alex Raineri who will perform S. Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto 2. #alexraineri #brisbanephilharmonicorchestra #shigerukawai #pianoconcerto #rachmaninoff #pianotechnician #pianotechnicianlife #brisbanepianotuner
16.01.2022 Retune for Opera Queensland recital for tenor Bradley Daley. Socially distanced audience chairs. I feel privileged to perform my work when I heard that some of the audience were emotional at hearing live music at the start of last nights recital. #pianoservice #pianotechnician #pianotechnicianlife #operaqueenslandstudio #operaqueensland #recital #singer #kawaipiano
15.01.2022 First tuning of a long term clients new grand. My client asked me to inspect this instrument before delivery to ensure the pre-delivery service was completed. Yes! No manufacturing wood dust, piano cleaned and adjusted. Nice work! And a happy client. #pianoservice #pianotechnician #pianotechnicianlife #grandpiano #kawaipiano #shigerukawai #brisbanepianotuner
15.01.2022 The 5am back to normality. Concert preparation for a lunchtime digital recital from University of Queensland. Havent seen the instrument since January 3rd, so a few mechanical adjustments were required plus the all important cleaning the keys and parts. #washyourhands #pianotechnician #pianotechnicianlife #piano #violin #digitalrecital #uqschoolofmusic #brisbanepianotuner
14.01.2022 Piano preparation for Opera Queensland Recital Series featuring Baritone Jason Barry-Smith and pianist Luke Volker. Socially distanced audience in accordance to COVID-19 plans. What about the piano? #pianoservice #pianotechnician #pianotechnicianlife #piano #pianist #baritone #opera #operaqueensland #operaqueenslandstudio #brisbanepianotuner #socialdistance
13.01.2022 Some good news.. life is returning albeit ever so slowly. I havent seen the pianos at UQs Nickson Room since January 3. The UQ School of Music is proud to launch the School of Music Virtual Concert Series in May. This new initiative will use state-of-the-art live streaming equipment to broadcast our performances and seminars to the world via the UQ Humanities and Social Sciences YouTube channel. ... Events will be streamed from our Nickson Room on selected Fridays at 1pm and will feature our academic staff together with current and past UQ students and invited guest artists. The concert series will commence on 15 May with Adam Chalabi and Anna Grinberg performing Beethovens evergreen Sonata no.5 for piano and violin (popularly referred to as the Spring Sonata) alongside works by Corelli and Wieniawski. More information about up-coming concerts will be announced in the coming weeks and the live-streaming code for our first concert will be made available over the next few days. For a taste of what to expect, please watch our new video of recent graduates Daniel Chiou (cello) and Caleb Salizzo (piano) performing the beautiful 2nd movement from Brahms 2nd Sonata for Cello and Piano. The University of Queensland JACdigital https://bit.ly/35nkUR1
13.01.2022 Another concert from musicians who are finding their own way to perform. Stew is a friend of mine, and somehow finds the time to be a broadcaster at 3MBS, run the Music by the Springs Festival, import pianos, sell pianos, and to be an in demand pianist. I think this concert was programmed for the Melbourne Recital Centre, but unfortunately was cancelled. Enjoy some Schubert.
12.01.2022 The Model L continues: The keys have been plugged with spruce and poplar (a little denser for strength) and I will determine the placement of the new keyleads after fitting new action parts.
12.01.2022 A great article about the Melbourne Digital Concert Hall and their piano sponsor, Kawai Australia. Another is seeing musicians rally together to support each other, so that no one is left behind. When the project was getting off the ground, the key news story at the time was getting football back and playing yet no talk of getting the arts back on its feet, or of support for an industry that is bigger than the three football codes together, to find a meaningful way through this. https://www.cutcommonmag.com/how-one-concert-grand-is-prov/
11.01.2022 The Model L rebuild continues: New damper lever assembly New damper wire bushings after cleaning New damper felts Waiting for delivery of new parts
11.01.2022 Sunday preparation for Konstantin Shamray at Lucas Parklands, Montville. I am now taking a break until Friday 14th August. #pianoservice #pianotechnician #pianotechnicianlife #pianotuner #recital #brisbanepianotuner #weekoff #needabreakfromwork
11.01.2022 Maintenance on #740. This instrument received new hammers at the end of last year, and I havent worked on it since then. Time for maintenance and to prepare for a two piano recital on Friday. More than just tuning. #pianotechnician #pianotechnicianlife #pianoservice #brisbanepianotuner
10.01.2022 Tuning at Opera Queensland for a Bradley Daley recital. Sign in, fill out COVID-19 questionnaire, temperature check before and clean keys and piano surfaces after tuning. #pianotechnician #pianoservice #pianotunerlife #operaqueensland #operaqueenslandstudio #bradleydaley #recital #kawaipiano #brisbanepianotuner
09.01.2022 There is a link for a replay.. Recommended!
09.01.2022 Sunset at Lucas Parklands #pianoservice #pianotechnician #pianotunerlife #winterinqueensland
09.01.2022 Well, that was an interesting two weeks off! to be truthful, I spent half of each day in the workshop. I am back on the tools, but carefully following health guidelines. So if you are comfortable with servicing your piano, give me a call. I am carrying gloves, a small amount of isopropyl alcohol (aka liquid gold) and paper towel. Fortunately, I have a large repair in the workshop, which is taking up much of my time, and I am trying out some of the techniques that I would have learnt in Germany. I am taking photos and writing notes on this instrument.
08.01.2022 A day in the life: 4 1/2 hrs preparation on 2 concert grands. Meet performers & present instruments. Service work on a teaching grand Grab a coffee & sandwich Retune instruments after rehearsal. Check voicing on a few notes. Clean keys etc as per COVID-19 guidelines... Livestream recital starting now https://music.uq.edu.au/event/session/4550 See more
08.01.2022 A concert from Elder Hall last Friday. Concert starts at 15:25
08.01.2022 Monday morning just has to start with Bach
07.01.2022 Last piano of the week. Is it Friday? #bigweek #pianotechnician #pianoservice #yamahas6 #pianotechnicianlife
06.01.2022 Pre-purchase inspection for a client. Its difficult when inspecting an instrument because I dont know if the instrument has been set up well, or whether it has reacted to climate conditions, for example cool to warm air conditioning . I am also sad in a way because I have to say au revoir to my client of 4 years because I am not part of the warranty service of this instrument. However my client is thrilled with the new purchase and the talented young musician has a wonderful instrument to continue his study. Enjoy your beautiful instrument
06.01.2022 3am PD. Piano Technicians Masterclasses Been up since 0150, but technology didnt want to co-operate for another hour
06.01.2022 One of the changes that Covid-19 is that we all carry alcohol solutions to clean keys etc. Today I can clean off mould from these damper heads
05.01.2022 The Model L continues: After plugging all the lead holes so that I can balance the action after part replacement. I have gaff-taped 2 lead to key 40 so I have a starting point. The lead position has been copied from an average similar size grand so that I can experiment with different parts. This will allow me to find the right parts to suit this instrument. One benefit of this quiet time is that I can just sit at the bench, and trial different parts and designs. Totally unpaid... but research
05.01.2022 Un Bellissimo Italiano #fazioli #handcrafted #italian #grandpiano #pianoservice #pianotuner #pianotunerlife #brisbanepianotuner
05.01.2022 The Model L (continuation) I measured the downweight of the action and found it to be in excess of 10 grams too heavy. In the factory setting, lead is placed in the keys to lower the downweight of the individual keys. However, on inspection of the keys, I really cannot fit any more lead to the front of the key. Something is wrong. To be continued..
04.01.2022 Friday afternoon multitasking: Workshop whilst listening to live stream recital. #pianotechnician #pianotechnicianlife #recital #piano #violin #uqschoolofmusic #brisbanepianotuner
03.01.2022 The rebuild: I published a photo earlier in the week. The instrument is a Steinway & Sons Model L. The model was only manufactured in New York. II dated the instrument at 1986. This is a piano from the Teflon Era of Steinway in which felt bushings were replaced with telfon with the idea that the teflon would be impervious to humidity changes. True, however, wood is still hydroscopic. Steinway dropped the teflon bushings and reverted back to the traditional felt. The instrument is heavy to play. I have measured the action and will write the detailsand explanations in another post. To be continued....
03.01.2022 Available after the recital
03.01.2022 Another Sunday recital. This time for a Australian Music Examinations Board A.Mus.A candidate. #recital #piano #ameb #yamaha #pianoservice #pianotunerlife #brisbanepianotuner
02.01.2022 Tune and service of a Kawai K-500 for Oscar, who is sitting his A.Mus.A piano exam tomorrow. Good luck! #pianoservice #pianotechnician #pianotechnicianlife #brisbanepianotuner #kawaipiano #ameb
01.01.2022 Fantastic Friday!! 1 set of parts have finally arrived. They were ordered mid-March but unfortunately were part of the New York lockdown. Fitting new regulating buttons & fitting new NY style maple wippens. Alignment & fitting still to be completed.
