School of Music

The Piano Shop maintains the University’s fleet of performance pianos and concert-sized practice pianos. These include:

• 1 Steinway & Sons Model D (Concert Hall)
• 1 Hamburg Steinway & Sons Model D (Recital Hall)
• 1 Shigeru Kawai EX-1 (Recital Hall)
• 1 Yamaha CF (Concert Hall)
• 1 Steinway & Sons Model D (Marriott Center Arena)
• 2 Steinway & Sons Model D (E-400 rehearsal room)
• 1 Steinway & Sons Model D (E-250 rehearsal room)

In addition to the concert pianos, the Piano Shop maintains the piano faculty’s instruments, all of which are Steinway & Sons Model B. BYU owns more Yamaha Disklavier reproducing pianos than any other academic institution.

Full Time Technicians

• Keith Kopp, BA, RPT
• Jim Busby, BA, RPT

Student Technicians

• Samuel Christensen
• John Allan
• Bryan Hutchison
• Chris Udall
• Mauresa Bastian

The BYU Piano Shop has the responsibility to oversee the care and maintenance of more than four hundred pianos across campus and at other locations used by the University. Each piano is tuned and serviced at least twice a year with teaching studios, classrooms, recital venues, and practice rooms receiving significantly more attention. BYU has several concert grand pianos in its main concert venues, giving artists a variety from which to choose. Pianos in the concert halls are maintained at an optimal level, at times being tuned daily to meet the rigorous demands of the concert artist. We are fortunate to have fine pianos at BYU and are eager to keep them in the best possible condition.

Being part of the School of Music, the Piano Shop charges no service fee for School of Music sponsored events. Other requests for piano service must be directed to the Piano Shop for which a fee may be charged. (See Repair/Service Request Form below). This service must be cleared and agreed upon in advance. No outside technician is authorized to tune or service BYU pianos.

Scheduling Pianos

Each piano has an assigned identification number and is assigned to a specific area. Please do not move a piano! A simple phone call through the correct channels will get you a piano, if you have been authorized to use one.

• BYU Space Management schedules pianos for Church services.
• BYU Campus Scheduling schedules other pianos.
• BYU School of Music schedules pianos for School of Music use.

Please do not move any piano without permission. If there is not a piano in a room where you need one, DO NOT, under any circumstance, move one from another room! Many pianos and doors have been damaged by this practice, and there is a high risk of injury to those moving a piano. Please notify the appropriate office if you have a piano need.

Custodians are not authorized to move pianos unless trained by the Piano Shop technicians.

Pianos used for church services are very important to us. Please report any piano which is damaged or a piano that is grossly out of tune. Please know that most of these pianos are tuned only twice a year, and thus cannot be kept perfectly in tune at all times. We do our best to keep the pianos at high standards of maintenance and we appreciate your help in identifying problems.

Tell us if there is a special need for a piano to be tuned. We will try to service it. Take into consideration, however, the vast number of wards, stakes, and other organizations at BYU and their many needs. It is virtually impossible to do extra tunings for all the many conferences, firesides, and various meetings held.

Leaders, we especially ask you to read the paragraph on "moving pianos" above and help us eliminate the problem of unauthorized piano moves.

Not all pianos are intended for concert performances. Some pianos are used mainly for church services and are tuned only twice a year. If you need a piano for a performance which requires a tuning, the fee must be paid by the sponsoring organization. Contact the Piano Shop for rates and details.

A "prepared piano" is a piano that has been modified with objects placed in it in a very special way as dictated by a composer of a "prepared piano" composition. This is a valid practice, but may only be done as prescribed below, and only on a piano designated by Piano Shop technicians and under their supervision:

1. All structural changes to any piano must be approved by and, in most cases, performed by a Piano Shop technician. This includes removing the lid or other case parts and attaching anything to strings or soundboard to modify the sound.
2. Marking strings. Small stickers may be used on dampers or agraffes to mark notes. Please purchase stickers that are easy to remove such as the small colored dots. Care must always be used when touching dampers as they are easily bent. Never use masking tape or any other adhesive that may leave a residue. The performer is responsible for removing any stickers immediately after any performance. There should be nothing applied directly to the strings. This includes white-out, tape, stickers, nail polish, etc. In some cases chalk may be used to mark steel strings but never the copper-wound bass strings.
3. Striking and plucking strings. Strings may be struck or plucked with fingers or guitar pick. (Since oil from the skin can tarnish strings please wash hands well before touching any string.) Other devices must always be of a material that will not mar or scratch strings. On steel strings, only materials that are softer than the steel string may be used, such as brass or aluminum. Copper-wound bass strings must also be struck or plucked with a material softer than the copper. Acceptable material includes wood, plastic, rubber, etc. Piano Shop technicians are available to help the performer select materials that will not damage the piano. In some cases, literature calls for the insertion of screws or mutes between piano strings. Again, a material softer than the string must be used, such as brass or aluminum.
4. Extreme volume. There is a fine line to be drawn between passionate musical expression and outright banging on a piano. Please use good judgment when playing above a forte. Harsh playing is damaging and will not be tolerated.
5. Common sense. Most damage to pianos can easily be avoided by using good judgment. Please consult with the Piano Shop technician before using unconventional techniques. Usually, an alternative can be found to satisfy both the performer and this policy.

Remember that a "prepared piano" is a special preparation required for a "prepared piano composition", and except for this unusual circumstance pianos should only be used in the "normal" way.

Pianos at BYU are replaced on a regular basis. This assures that students have access to newer pianos. Surplus pianos are serviced and then sold to individuals to enjoy for many years to come.

Q: How often does BYU surplus pianos?
A: As often as new purchases are made to replace the older models. These sales are often held twice a year around the months of November and April.

Q: What should I look for when purchasing a used piano?
A: Go to surplus.byu.edu, for tips and information on buying used pianos.

Q: Does BYU surplus grand pianos?
A: Occasionally. On average, one grand piano is sold about every other year.

Q: Are surplus pianos "worn out"?
A: No. They do have wear, but have been maintained at a higher level than average consumer pianos. Additionally, the pianos may have been improved by Piano Shop technicians by such things as replacing key bushings, repinning of friction centers, etc. The pianos undergo a complete evaluation and are in good condition. If a piano has more "bumps and bruises" than usual, the price is decreased accordingly.

Q: Where can I see the pianos?
A: Pictures of available pianos are on our website. Pianos for sale are located in the Harris Fine Arts Center (HFAC) on the 1st floor of the C wing.

Q: How will I know when pianos are being sold?
A: Pianos being sold will be listed on the website: surplus.byu.edu. Dates will be listed when a new group of pianos will be on sale. Piano sales are generally held around November and April of each year.

Q: What is the average cost of a surplus piano?
A: Price is determined at the time of sale according to current market price.

Q: Do faculty or staff get preference?
A: No. Faculty and staff are required to go through the same bidding process as other prospective buyers.

Q: How can I purchase a surplus piano?
A: Go to surplus.byu.edu and follow the directions.

Q: What does it mean when pianos are sold "as is"?
A: We are not a retail business and cannot give dealer warranties nor follow-up on sold pianos. However, every precaution is taken to ensure that pianos are in good working condition. Buyers are expected to retain services from a reputable technician following the sale.

Q: Will BYU move or deliver the piano for me?
A: No. You will be expected to arrange for moving and delivery.

Q: Who will move or deliver a piano?
A: There are several professional piano movers in the area. Ask the Piano Shop technicians for a list or consult your telephone directory.

Q: Can I bring a pickup truck and get my own piano?
A: We highly discourage a pickup truck for moving a piano! For safety reasons we suggest you retain a professional mover or rent a truck or trailer that has the appropriate ramps, sides, and equipment.

BYU Piano Shop trains prospective technicians for an ambitious apprenticeship-like employment for students desiring part-time work. Students who complete this training can pursue a career in piano technology or enhance their income before and after college graduation.

Carefully review the following information and materials provided on the website linked below before contacting the BYU full-time technicians.

Read the Career Information provided at the Piano Technicians Guild Website (link will open in a new tab), and then follow the links titled "Piano Technology Career Brochure," "Education and Training Institutions," and "How to Join PTG" (under "For More Information . . .").

We get about 20–30 inquiries a year, so rather than go through the “whole nine yards” several times, we offer instructional presentations every semester. Read the presentation description and the times and places are indicated below.

Each semester the Piano Shop offers two one hour presentations for anyone interested in learning more about how the piano works and piano technology.

What Every Pianist Should Know

This a one hour session deals with how the piano works, how to care for pianos, what to look for when buying pianos, what a piano technician does, and other issues related to care and maintenance of the instrument. It is very informative and enlightening, especially to those who may never have seen a piano taken apart and its inner workings demonstrated.

This class should help remove the fear of some simple tasks such as removing a pencil from the inside of the piano, and help the pianist know where to "draw the line" and call a trained professional. Anyone who owns a piano will benefit from this class. Past participants have said that it really opened their eyes as to how much is involved in keeping a piano in good working condition.

How to Become a Piano Technician

This session is for those who have an interest in becoming a piano technician. The traditional ways to become a professional are outlined and participants are given names and addresses of schools and courses offered. It will delve into the "who-what-when-where-how" of piano technology and of what it takes to become a "Registered Piano Technician."

What Every Pianist Should Know: To Be Determined

Piano Technician: To Be Determined

BYU Piano Technology—Student Program

BYU does not have a formal piano technology training program. They do hire student technicians occasionally. The program requires a three to four year commitment. Students receive training but they will be expected to also be engaged in additional learning opportunities as outlined in “How to become a Technician” above.

Availability of Jobs

Piano Shop student employees are hired as needed and as the budget allows. Jobs are available upon the discretion of the full-time technicians and School of Music administrators. The number of students and the amount of employment hours given may vary.

Qualifications

No special qualifications are required for employment in the Piano Shop. However, it is suggested that a student be able to play the piano to some degree of proficiency and be mechanically inclined. Prospective student employees should be freshmen or sophomores so that they will be here long enough to learn the skills necessary to become a "Registered Piano Technician," the only recognized standard in the industry.

After you have read the information from the Piano Technicians Guild Website linked above (under "How to Become a Piano Technician"), if you are interested in talking with us in person, please fill out the information sheet provided below and make an appointment to talk to either Keith or Jim in the Piano Shop.

 Click here for the information sheet.

Piano Shop Contact Information:

BYU Piano Shop
Keith Kopp
Jim Busby
801-422-3400
HFAC C-109/C-110

The Piano Shop

C-109/C-110 HFAC
Hours: 9:00 am–5:00 pm, Monday–Friday
Phone: (801) 422-3400

E-mail

Keith Kopp: keith_kopp@byu.edu
Jim Busby: jim_busby@byu.edu