Piano Technology
Piano Technology Course Sequence 

Year 1

MTH 103a/b Ear Training 1/2
PTE 101 a/b Maintenance & Regulation 1/2
MTH 205a/b Music al Acoustics
MHL 110a/b Piano History 1/2
MAP 1 20 a/b Secondary Instrument 1/2
MAP 123a/b Secondary Instrument Lab 1/2
MRC210a Small Business Arts Mgmt
PTE 103a/b Tuning & Temperament 1/2
Electives

Total Credits 34

Year 2

MTH 103a/b Ear Training 3/4
MHL 108a/b Music History & Lit 1/2
PTE 200a/b Piano Internship 1/2
MAP 220 a/b Secondary Instrument 3/4
MAP 223a/b Secondary Instrument Lab 3/4

Total Credits 34

Piano Technology Course Descriptions

PTE 101 a/b Maintenance & Regulation 1/2

2 semester s 3 hrs weekly 3 cr/sem ester

A hands-on course to teach how to evaluate the condition of a piano and do minor repairs, including fixing worn or broken parts. Students also learn how to regulate the piano, adjusting the action, keyboard and pedals to work as they should. Since procedures vary by the kind of piano, students work on uprights, consoles and spinets as well as on grand pianos.

MHL 110 a/b Piano History 1/2

2 semester s 2 hrs weekly 2 cr/sem ester

Study of the history of the piano from its invention by Bartolomeo Christofori in 1700 to the present day in terms of its technology. Topics include changes in design, materials and manufacturing processes to show how the modern piano was developed.

PTE 200 a/b Piano Internship 1/2

2 semester s 11 hrs weekly 11 cr/sem ester

Comprehensive piano restoration through a hands-on internship. Focus is on action renovation, rescaling, soundboard repairs/replacement, pin block replacement, veneer repairs, troubleshooting string problems, replacement of strings, appraisals and estimates. Prerequisites: Maintenance & Regulation, Tuning & Temperament.

PTE 103 a/b Tuning & Temperament 1/2

2 semester s 3 hrs weekly 3 cr/sem ester

A hands-on course with a variety of exercises to set the temperament and to tune a piano. Emphasis is on inherent tuning problems with various types of pianos, such as tuning instability, false and sympathetic beats and string tension equalization.

( See Music Major for music course descriptions and elective options)