Qualifying from three years study at the Royal National College for the Blind, during this time winning the Europiano prize in 1975. 
In July 1976 I went to work in Rye, East Sussex, as a newly qualified piano technician with a City and Guilds and CTB. Diploma.
During 1980 to 1981, sponsored by an Arts Council bursary I spent a year at Steinway Hall in London training in the preparation of pianos for concert work.
Moving to Manchester in 1981, I started my own business.
Building up my largest client base in Cheshire and Lancashire, I tune pianos five days a week. Travelling to North Wales and the Lake District by request.
To date working for 20 years as piano technician for Manchester University, many churches, North-West Arts, Stockport Symphony Orchestra, and a wide range of professional musicians and piano teachers.
Martin is also on the recommended list for The Piano Tuners Association and The Blind Piano Tuners Association, and has worked internationally to represent these organisations in addition to acting as an examiner of piano tuners.
By 1989 I opened my own shop 'Piano House' at Barlow Moor Road, Didsbury. Retailing a wide range of pianos.
Dedicating a total of 30 years to date studying and working with pianos.
Disclosure and Barring Service: yes
Music Festival for performers and guests Our 10th
18-06-2022 01:30PM
The Morecambe Bay Piano Group was set up to extend
11-12-2021 02:00PM
The Morecambe Bay Piano Group was set up to extend
08-01-2022 02:00PM
The Morecambe Bay Piano Group was set up to extend
12-02-2022 02:00PM
What is Piano Voicing or Toning?
Voicing is an extremely difficult area. It's subjective in the extreme, and has caused endless discussion in piano maintenance circles. But the final goal of voicing is to have the hammers striking the notes of the piano to offer a uniform sound from the bottom to the top of the instrument. Goes without saying that evaluating this capability is governed by the capability of the piano, and the construction of the action parts. But, often a technician will find extremes in voicing, such as a particularly hard hammer, which may result in a note sounding louder than the rest. But, this too can be laid at the door of regulation. This is where the tuner's skill comes into play here. Voicing can be accomplished by pricking the hammer with a set of needles. This pricking changes the structure of the felt, and softens the hammer to a degree.
What is toning?This is the reverse of voicing, and accomplishes the inverse sort of thing. May be necessary to bring up a particularly soft sounding hammer, and bring it into line with its neighbours. This is accomplished by applying a special material to the hammers or ironing with a special tool.
