Technical Library EARLY PIANO III: Extracting the action Entire Contents Copyright ©2011 CBH

Avoid broken hammers by learning how to safely extract the action

Extracting the fortepiano action…

Musicians or technicians desiring to make adjustments to the fortepiano action must be able to safely remove it from the instrument.

ALWAYS ENSURE NO KEYS ARE DEPRESSED OTHERWISE YOU WILL BREAK HAMMER SHANKS!

There are a few main types of fortepianos commonly encountered today, and slightly different techniques must be used to safely extract the actions. Study the movie below for your particular type of instrument, and read the technical description:

• The earliest Stein type has a sled supporting the keyframe.
• The heavier-built Walter type usually has a keyframe ramp arrangement, with or without an action retaining pin.
• The early 19th century types including Graf copies also have a keyframe ramp, but often with a frontrail that must be removed.
• The larger, later instruments which look decidedly like modern pianos have a hinged action retainer which drops from the bottom.
  

		Fortepiano action extraction IV — Hinged retainer Carey Beebe demonstrating how to safely extract the action of a c1870 Streicher fortepiano.
		Fortepiano action extraction III — Keyframe sled Carey Beebe demonstrating how to safely extract the action of a Stein-type fortepiano.
		Fortepiano action extraction II — Frontrail & Keyframe ramp Carey Beebe demonstrating how to safely extract the action of a Graf-type fortepiano.
		Fortepiano action extraction I — Keyframe ramp Carey Beebe demonstrating how to safely extract the action of a Walter-type fortepiano.

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