Course 'Piano Tuning for beginners'
Working on a grand piano
Learn the theoretical and practical steps of piano tuning using Dirk's Piano Tuner.
What is included in the course?
- Three days beginners piano tuning course.
- The course is given in Dutch and English.
- The use of tools and materials.
- Certificate of participation.
- Lunch.
What is not included in the course?
- Accommodation. More information can be found on the page 'Important information'.
- Travel and transport. There is an exception for transport from the bus stop 'Donkerbroek Provincialeweg' to the course room and back to the bus stop. More information about this exception can be found on the page 'Travel advice'.
- Breakfast and dinner.
- Software license and tools.
What does the course 'Piano Tuning for beginners' look like?
What you will learn during the course is as follows:
- What is sound
- How does a piano make sound
- Piano parts
- Differences between upright and grand pianos
- Strings and their position in pianos
- How do beats arise
- Understand inharmonicity
- What is stretch
- The equal temperament
- When does a piano sound best
- Tuning by ear vs. tuning devices
- About voicing
- How to improve the tuning stability
- A closer look at the mechanics
- Dirk's Piano Tuner explained
- Tune a piano yourself with Dirk's Tuner
- Replace a broken string
- Perform small repairs
How did the course come about?
The course 'Piano tuning for beginners' has been given since 2010. The course was the logical continuation of the collaboration between Dirk Wolters and Ben Verbon after developing Dirk's Piano Tuner. It started in 2008 when Ben started helping Dirk design Dirk's Piano Tuner.
At that time, a piano could only be tuned by ear by professional tuners. Dirk had the goal to achieve this with software, which would make tuning much easier and more accurate. With Dirk's background in applied physics, mathematics, and software development and Ben's experience in restoring pianos, they came up with a solution that can determine the optimal tuning for each piano.
As a follow-up to creating this tuner, Ben decided to develop a course. The aim of the course has remained the same over the years, which is learning to tune a piano easily and quickly with a professional result. In 2010 the course started for the first time and was given in France by Ben Verbon. Over the years we have been able to give many successful courses with just as many satisfied students.
After having given the course for 9 years, Ben has decided to retire. That is why Dirk and Ben have decided to move the course to the Netherlands. After all these years of close cooperation, Dirk will continue the course alone.
Piano tuning course week video
The course has moved to the Netherlands
Why did the course move?
The reason for the move is that Ben Verbon is retiring, and the course will now be given by Dirk Wolters, the founder and owner of Dirk's Projects.
Will the course change?
The aim of the course will remain the same. Which is learning to tune a piano easily and quickly and everything else that comes with it. With Dirk's expertise in the theory behind tuning a piano, the theoretical side of tuning will be discussed in more detail. In addition, there will of course be practiced with tuning a piano.
The move of the course
Moving the course is quite an undertaking. The course contains many attributes that are specially made for the course. All these attributes, therefore, had to be moved from France to the Netherlands.
Dirk & Ben moving the course equipment
The course space
In addition to moving the equipment, a new course space is also needed. The course is currently given in a farmhouse.
The current course space
Progress photos of the refurbishment of the future course space
We are currently busy refurbishing the new course space. The exterior is currently finished. We are also working hard to completely refurbish the inside into a workable space.