Piano Tuning | Page 8

DL, damper lever, working in damper flange g, which is screwed to
main rail.
s, spoon; so called from its shape. It is screwed into the wippen. When
the key is struck, the motion on the wippen throws the spoon forward,
pushing the lower end of damper lever forward, and releasing the
damper from its contact with the string. The damper is held against the
string by the wire spring which is seen running from the damper flange
to the top of the damper lever.
DR, damper rod. This is a rod running from the left or bass end of the
action to the right as far as the dampers are continued in the treble. It is
acted upon by the "loud" or damper pedal, which raises the outer
projection, and by being hinged to the main rail about the same height
as this projection, the entire rod is thrown outward against the lower
ends of the damper levers, releasing all the dampers simultaneously.
This being the only office of the right pedal, it is readily seen that this
pedal does not increase the loudness, but simply sustains any number
of tones struck successively, giving the effect of more volume.
The student should familiarize himself with all technical terms used in
this lesson, as they will be referred to frequently in the succeeding
lessons on repairing and regulating.
QUESTIONS ON LESSON III.
Without reference to anything but the cut, give technical names for
parts of action represented by the following letters or abbreviations:
1. Bnc R, c, G P, BP, Ky, L.
2. Bm, Cpn, E, W, j, js, g, and M R.
3. Rr, B C, B R, B C W, Bl, and Bl W.
4. Bt, H, H S, H R, and sr.

5. S, D, D L, D R, s, B, and B B.
6. Explain the purpose and movements of the jack.
7. Describe a flange and the joint of same.
8. Give names of the four flanges shown in cut.
9. What is the purpose of the back catch and back check?
10. Explain the mechanical action of the damper pedal, and its effect
when used; also, that of the soft pedal.

LESSON IV.
ACTION OF SQUARE AND GRAND PIANOS.
ACTION OF THE SQUARE PIANO.
Up to about the year 1870, the square was the popular piano. The grand
has always been too expensive for the great music-loving masses, and
previous to this time the upright had not been developed sufficiently to
assert itself as a satisfactory instrument. The numerous objections to
the square piano forced its manufacture to be discontinued a few years
after the introduction of the improved new upright. Square pianos that
come, at the present day, under the hand of the tuner, are usually at
least fifteen years old, and more frequently twenty or more. However,
in some localities the tuner will meet numbers of these pianos and he
will find them a great source of revenue, as they are almost invariably
in need of repair.
Compare the three cuts of actions in the study of this lesson.
The main constituent parts of the square action are similar in
appearance to those of the upright; in fact, most of the parts are the
same in name and office. However, the parts are necessarily assembled
very differently. In the square action, the hammers strike in a vertical

direction, while in the upright they strike in a horizontal direction; the
motion of the key being the same in both.
Of the three types, the square is the simplest action, as many of the
parts seen in the upright and grand are entirely absent in the square.
Beginning with the key, it has its balance pin, guide pin, cushions, etc.,
practically the same as in the other types.
The bottom, or key rocker, is reversed in the square; the end
transmitting the motion being nearest the performer.
The extension and wippen are absent in the square, as the jack is
attached directly to the bottom or key-rocker.
The back check is screwed to the key, and as the hammer head rests
against it after striking, the use of the contrivance called the back catch
in the upright is unnecessary.
[Illustration: ACTION OF THE SQUARE PIANO.]
ACTION OF THE SQUARE PIANO.
A. Action Frame.
B's Indicate the Cushions, or Bushing, of felt, cloth or leather.
C. Balance Rail.
D. Balance Pin. Round.
E. Mortised Cap for Balance Pin. Bushed.
F. Key.
G. Lead.
H. Back Check.

I. Bottom or Key Rocker.
J. Bottom Screws; used to regulate height of Jack.
K. Jack.
L. Jack Spring; concealed under Bottom.
M. Center Pin to Jack.
N. Hammer Rail.
O. Regulating Screw.
P. Regulating Button.
Q. Flange Rail.
R. Flange. Split.
S. Flange Rail Screw.
T. Flange Screw, to regulate