This unit applies to the skills and knowledge required to remove existing strings and pins from upright and grand pianos and replace them with new strings and pins. The unit applies in a workplace and onsite environment and may be conducted in a small to medium scale enterprise.

The type of work tasks performed when re-stringing and re-pinning a piano may include disassembling and reassembling piano, assessing piano suitability for restringing, detuning piano, chipping up and measuring strings and pin positions for replacement.

Nil

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1. Plan for re-stringing and re-pinning

1.1. OHS requirements, legislative requirements and workplace practices relevant to repairing pianos are verified and complied with

1.2. Customer requirements are received, analysed and confirmed with appropriate personnel

1.3. Communication with others involved with the work is established and maintained to ensure efficient workflow, coordination, personnel cooperation and safety throughout the application of this competency

1.4. Written instructions are followed

2. Prepare for repair

2.1. Tools and equipment are selected consistent with the needs of the job.

2.2. Selected tools and equipment are checked for service ability and safety and any faults repaired and reported according to workplace practices

2.3. Personal protective equipment is correctly fitted and used

2.4. Materials required for the re-stringing and re-pinning of piano are selected

3. Assess piano

3.1. Correct posture for repairing is demonstrated which minimizes fatigue and promotes muscular control

3.2. Case parts are removed and stored

3.3. Measurements of all string sizes are taken throughout piano

3.4. Position of all pressure bars, duplex bars and under-stringing felts are noted

3.5. Inspect base strings for tone and quality, noting those needing replacement

4. Prepare piano for re-stringing

4.1. Length of strings are measured and recorded

4.2. Detune piano

4.3. Pressure bars / agraffes are removed

4.4. Strings are removed by unwinding in order

4.5. Bass strings are tagged for identification purposes using a wire guide to store until needed

4.6. Tuning pins are removed and assessed for reusability

4.7. Samples of tuning pins, felts and eye strings are retained

4.8. Size of new pins and drill holes are calculated for appropriate tension requirements

5. Re-pin and re-string piano

6.

6.1. Stringing scale is re-calculated

6.2. Agraffes are replaced in accurate position, as required.

6.3. Pins and treble strings are replaced in required order, with under stringing felt inserted.

6.4. Pins and base strings are replaced in required order

6.5. Pressure bars are replaced in accurate position

7. Chip Up

7.1. Establish Pitch Standard

7.2. Pluck and tune strings individually against Pitch Standard

7.3. Rub down strings and repeat process until strings stabilised

8. Re-assemblse piano

8.1. Piano is re-assembled

8.2. Tools and equipment are maintained, cleaned and stored safely in designated location

8.3. Records are maintained in accordance with enterprise requirements or industry practice

9. Clean up work area

9.1. All tools, materials and other equipment are checked, cleaned and returned to their appropriate location.

9.2. Work area is cleared and waste removed

9.3. Workplace documentation is completed and filed

Required skills

communicate ideas and information to enable confirmation of work requirements, plans and specifications, coordination of work with other workers and customer, and report of work outcomes and problems

work with others and in a team to assess tuning and repair requirements

apply knowledge of tuning and repair processes to problem solving

assess and take appropriate action to minimize risks

collect and organize information for the purpose of:

planning tasks and identifying task outcomes

planning use of resources

assessing and prioritizing tasks

managing time and resources

Manage own work performance to:

follow OHS and workplace practices

plan and organize work schedules and routines

maintain required production output

assess quality of own work

apply mathematical applications for estimation and measurement

use calculators and measuring devices to take measurements and estimate material requirements

Required knowledge

State or Territory OHS legislation, regulations, standards and codes of practice relevant to the full range of processes for restringing and re-pinning upright and grand pianos

organisational and site standards, requirements, policies and procedures for restringing and re-pinning upright and grand piano

reading and interpreting workplace documents, including work orders, work instructions and operator instructions

environmental protection requirements relating to the disposal of waste material

established lines of communication and protocols

types, characteristics, uses, limitations and preparation of materials and equipment used in piano restringing and re-pinning

types of tools and equipment used to restring and re-pin pianos and procedures for their safe use, operation and maintenance

problem identification and resolution

set up and operation of tools and equipment used for restringing and re-pinning pianos

storage systems and labelling

procedures for the recording, reporting and maintenance of workplace records and information

appropriate mathematical procedures for estimation and measurement

The Evidence Guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit

Interpret work order, locate materials and use information to complete tasks to restring and re-pin a piano

Identify tools and equipment used in restringing and re-pinning a piano

Select, set up and maintain equipment in accordance with manufacturer specifications and workplace practices

Restring and re-pin a minimum of two upright and grand pianos

Modify activities to cater for variations in workplace contexts and environment

Communicate and work with others in the work area

Apply safe handling practices and safe operating procedures for equipment, products and materials to:

minimise the risk of injury to self or others

prevent damage to goods, equipment and products

Clean tools, equipment and work area

Maintain and repair a range of hand and power tools used in piano tuning and repair

Apply OHS practices when using hand and power tools, holding and support equipment, products and materials, including use of personal protective equipment

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment may occur on the job or in a simulated workplace environment in accordance with work practices and safety requirements

Assessment is to occur under standard work practices, and to comply with legislative and regulatory requirements.

The following resources should be made available:

hand and power tools used in the repair and manufacture of pianos

materials used in the repair and manufacture of pianos

safety and personal protective equipment

holding and supporting equipment

workplace location or simulated workplace

upright and grand pianos

Method of assessment

Assessment must confirm consistency (over time and in a range of workplace relevant contexts) in application of skills and knowledge when:

organising work

completing tasks according to instructions

working systematically with attention to detail

identifying improvements and avoiding damage

using workplace practices

using OHS practices

assessing operational readiness of tools and equipment

recognising and adapting to cultural differences in the workplace, including modes of behaviour and interactions

Assessment must include a variety of project or work activities that allow the candidate to demonstrate competency in the unit

Assessment should be by direct observation of tasks and include questioning on required knowledge and skills to ensure correct interpretation and application.

Assessment should be conducted over time and may be in conjunction with assessment of other units of competency

The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included.

OHS requirements may include:

Relevant Federal, State or Territory OHS legislation, regulations, standards and codes of practice, and workplace policies and procedures including the use of personal protection equipment, hazard and risk control and manual handling.

Legislative requirements may include:

Relevant Federal, State or Territory legislation including award and enterprise agreements, industrial relations, Australian Standards, confidentiality and privacy, the environment, equal opportunity, anti-discrimination, industry codes of practice.

Workplace practices may include:

Site guidelines, policies and procedures relating to own role, quality assurance, procedural manuals, tool manufacturer's recommendations, ethical standards, recording and reporting, equipment use, maintenance and storage, environmental management (waste disposal, recycling, re-use).

Tools and equipment may include:

micrometer, Tuning hammer, Tuning fork, Pitch standard, T hammer, String lifter, Drills and bits, Tension wrench, Hammers and punches, Wire cutters, Pliers, Vice grips, Stringing tools, measuring equipment, re-scaling tools, knives, glue, plectrum, glove

Personal protective equipment may include:

safety glasses, goggles, hearing protection, safety footwear, protective clothing, gloves, respiratory protection

Materials may include:

treble and bass strings

tuning pins

understringing felt

agraffes

Identification purposes may include:

name and address

brand name, style, size or serial number of piano

strings per note

Eye strings may include:

single wound german

double wound german

french eye

Understringing felt may include:

string pillows

bearing felt

listing felt

pressure bar felt

Pitch standard may include:

piano

electronic keyboard

electronic tuning device (etd)

tuning fork

Workplace documentation may include:

Time sheets, customer cards, work orders including job sheets, cutting lists, plans, drawings and designs, tool maintenance records and schedules

Unit sector

Piano Technology

This unit contains employability skills.