I am about halfway through the new book just released by André Oorebeek.

This must be the most comprehensive book on the subject of voicing that I have read to date; André breaks down the process into sections that are easily understood by the beginner as well as the more experienced technician.

The book comes with a DVD companion that I just reviewed; running time of 45 minutes total, professionally done, with good clarity and sound. Of particular note, André breaks down the voicing procedures for all to see and hear, moreover, he demonstrates very clearly finding an “error” in the tonal qualities of the instrument, and then correcting the problem of uneven tones.

This is a very important aspect of teaching, the ability to communicate the process of any technical expertise in language that the majority will understand, even folks who are not technicians at all.

For the average layman or pianist, I would also encourage the purchase of this book/DVD. A study of this material will go long way to explaining why pianos sound like they do, what can be done for improvement, and further will help to explain the tonal qualities, how they are produced, or masked, by using the hammer.

I know that André has been booked for seminar classes in concert voicing at the National Convention of the Piano Technicians Guild in Grand Rapids that commences this July 15th 2009. For the technicians who are attending, obtaining a copy of this release prior to attending this class would be a very good way to prep yourself “going in”. Hope to see you at the classes there…………….

Thanks to Jurgen Goering of Pianofortesupply for compiling and producing this book. And thanks to André Oorebeek for taking the time to share his expertise in this way for the benefit of all.

Here is the web site link for the purchase of this book. I would encourage all who are interested in taking their voicing procedures to a higher level would benefit greatly from this release.

www.thevoiceofthepiano.com

Thanks, Dan. I just ordered mine and hope to get it soon. Judging by past posts on pianotech from Andre, this should be a great read and reference book.

Cheers Dave,

Yes it is a good read. Very informative for expanding your voicing horizons. One of the most important aspects of becoming a well rounded technician, is the complete understanding of how the hammer reacts to its own shape and the manipulation applied.

The DVD is a nice addition too.

Thanks Dan, although I have enough on my plate right now...I have put it on my want list...maybe santa will come early this year...

Thanks for the review, Dan.

Kudos to Jurgen Goering and (obviously) André Oorebeek.

No problem on the review Erus, glad to offer an opinion on this release.
As far as purchasing or planning to purchase Monster, I have no idea of the size of the print run, so best to contact Jurgen (supply) for availability.

Oh no.... don't anyone tell my wife... or I'll be in the wood shed...(if we had one)... again.

Dan,

Once again, I thank you for your work in bringing this great guy into my expanding horizon. I've seen enough of Andre's work to easily justify ponying up the $85 plus S&H in the coming weeks! This guy is poetry in motion!

Thanks for your part in giving this thing wings!

RPD

Ordered mine this morning... with wifes blessing, ain't she a sweetheart

She lives on Love Street.....good stuff Monster, you will eventually benefit from the purchase as you go forward....

Thanks Dan...there are some days I'm so stoked about learning all this, reminds me of the days of long ago when I was drag racing and learning as much as a sponge can soak up...:)

The voicing book has only been available for about two weeks and there has already been a tremendous amount of enthusiastic feedback.

There's a new "Events" page on the book website with upcoming voicing seminars André Oorebeek will be giving. You can also see pictures of him in action at a voicing class (click on the thumbnails for a larger view). As well, instructions on how you can get André to your town to voice a whole piano before your eyes.

piano hammer voicing seminar

Enjoy.

Got the book and DVD the other day...tks

Great picture of the back of my head Jurgen
Not so sure what that is on my shirt.

Rod,
That spot is what is called lens glare...usually from a spotlight or pot light above the subject...

OR, it (the blue spot) could be the aliens trying to figure out if the speed in which this guy works is even human, or otherwise!!!

RPD

And here I thought Andre gave me a shot of teflon when I was not looking, trying to make me as slick as him.

When you blow up the blue spot and use image enhancement, it says "Kick me!"

ROFLMAO....

For those technicians in the UK or Australia:

Hecksher in the UK will be carrying The Voice of the Piano (& DVD).

Bruce Browning will be distributing it in Australia.

These additions are about to be posted at the book website's "Purchase" page.

www.TheVoiceOfThePiano.com

Good work on the web site options Jurgen,

A couple of other things for you to answer……

After reading your latest posting here, I was wondering if this DVD is region free or do buyers have to obtain a DVD player for region 1 discs?

Also what about playing the disc on a computer or an NTSC video player?

The DVD is not keyed or locked for any particular region in the world. It is in NTSC (standard North American and Japanese format), which means it can be viewed on any NTSC player anywhere.

It can also be played on any computer, which is where most people will probably watch it, as it is of technical nature.

Good planning on the DVD Jurgen. I just watched it on the big screen and it looks great there too! Good clarity, nicely edited, sound is good……

This week was a great one for Andre's book. We sent a shipment of books out to a wholesaler in Japan. "The Voice of the Piano" book and DVD is now being distributed on four continents - North America, Europe, Japan and Australia. Technicians all over the world are discovering this valuable resource.

Does anybody know if this DVD will be available at a booth at the PTG event in GR this summer?

RPD

I use the contents of the book almost daily. And I haven't even seen the DVD yet....

I ordered mine and eagerly await it's arrival!

The DVD comes with the book, it is a set. The book has a lot of background information which is not touched on in the DVD. This information is helpful in getting the most benefit from the video. The 45 minute DVD shows all the steps in voicing a set of hammers from start to finish, as described in the book. A DVD can show a lot of things that are difficult to put into words and the audio is helpful so that one can hear the changes taking place.

Not only will the book/DVD be available in Grand Rapids at the Piano Forte Supply booth, the author Andre Oorebeek will be giving a full one day class on the whole book content. Having seen him in action twice, I can say that his one day seminar alone is well worth the cost of attending the convention. There will be time for mingling and book signing, of course.

Hi Folks,

I've sure enjoyed my copy and the DVD is great! Well done! A great guide!

Many Thanks,

Hey Jurgen,

I was reading this posting and wondered if there was any plans to translate the book into Cantonese or Mandarin.(Actually, I think both languages are written the same but spoken differently. Also with Mandarin there are some phrases that have no translation into Cantonese.)

With all of the piano manufacturing being re-located to mainland China, there will be a requirement for a good deal of technical instruction over there.Maybe this is something that you and Andre have discussed already.....