Under the lid

About the Book

This is the first book to deal with the techniques and artistry specific to preparing pianos for concert use. It provides detailed practical advice for piano technicians on the fine points of tuning, regulating, and voicing for concerts, and on working with concert pianists. Also included are interviews and profiles of concert pianists and concert technicians, as well as anecdotes from the author’s career.

This newly revised edition also contains updates about newer tools and techniques, and new photos throughout. A major new feature of this edition is the inclusion of QR codes pointing to video demonstrations of many of the techniques described in the book.

About the Author

Steve Brady served as head piano technician at the University of Washington for 25 years, as chief concert technician at the Aspen Music Festival for five years, and he continues to work as concert technician for the Seattle Symphony Orchestra. He has tuned and prepared pianos for approximately 6,000 concerts and recitals, and worked with most of the leading pianists of our time, including Murray Perahia, Alfred Brendel, Andras Schiff, Garrick Ohlsson, Emanuel Ax, Peter Serkin, Richard Goode, Claudio Arrau, Alicia de Larrocha, André Watts, Vladimir Feltsman, Lang Lang, Yuja Wang, Evgeny Kissin, Jeremy Denk, Chick Corea, Bill Evans, Hélène Grimaud, and Pierre-Laurent Aimard.

Steve served as editor of the Piano Technicians Journal for six years, and in 1999 the Piano Technicians Guild published his book, A Piano Technician’s Guide to Field Repairs. He was inducted into PTG’s Hall of Fame in 2012, and in 2016 he received PTG’s highest honor, the Golden Tuning Hammer award. In his spare time Steve enjoys cooking, dancing Argentine tango, and playing in a tango band. He lives in Seattle with his wife, concert pianist Judith Cohen.