CBH Extracting the fortepiano action II — Graf c1819

• Always read the accompanying technical description!

More harpsichord stuff @ http://www.hpschd.nu

Carey Beebe demonstrating how to safely extract the action of a Graf-type fortepiano.

WARNING: If this procedure is not carefully followed, it is possible to break several hammer shanks!

The frontrail which retains the keyframe must be removed by pressing in sightly and sliding to the bass to release it from its treble housing. With palms turned outwards, the front of the keyframe is supported by the thumbs while the ornamental acorns on both keyend blocks are grasped with the fingers. Ensuring that no notes of the keyboard are depressed, the keyframe is pulled slightly forward, allowing it to drop down the ramp at the rear of the keybed. After a moment to further visually confirm that all the hammers are at rest and therefore safely below wrestplank level, the keyframe can now be pulled directly back and clear of the instrument.

To replace the action, the keyframe is positioned in the case, and both ends pushed in with the palms. When the keyframe is almost in, some more effort may be required to lift the front into the case. The acorns are grabbed so the keyframe ramps up to playing position. The frontrail is returned, pressed against its bass spring and aligned with its treble housing before sliding to the right.

Fortepiano after Graf c1819 by Paul McNulty 2003,
private ownership, Oberlin OH, USA.

Category:

Howto & Style

Tags:

• fortepiano
• pianoforte
• piano
• forte
• Hammerklavier
• Hammerflügel
• hammarklaver
• 古鋼琴
• フォルテピアノ
• 포르테피아노
• action
• keyframe
• keyboard
• Viennese
• Graf
• hpschdnu

[hpschdnu]

@ritschardt Yes, particular care must be taken extracting all fortepiano actions, and I hope I draw enough attention to this in the accompanying tech descriptions.

[ritschardt]

Carey, I think you need to spend more than a second checking that all the hammers are down I know what it is like breaking a hammer ,that sinking feeling after you hear the klick as the shank breaks then out with the super glue.