A regular meeting of the Long Island Nassau Chapter, PTG was held on September 11, 2012, at Frank and Camille's Keyboard Center, 229B Glen Cove Road, Carle Place, N.Y. Seven chapter members and two guests attended.

President Slavin called the meeting to order at 6:45 PM.

There weren’t any minutes taken at the June dinner meeting.

A treasurer’s report was not given.

President Slavin asked for suggestions regarding future guest speakers. No one offered any names.

President Slavin gave the technical presentation for the evening. He spoke about and demonstrated his approach to leveling piano keys and setting key dip. On a grand piano action, he removes the mechanism (stack) from the keyframe and hangs key-leveling weights on the backchecks. Instead of using the Davis key-leveling tools available from piano supply houses, a four-foot length of ninety-degree aluminum angle as a straight edge is used. The aluminum straight edge gets marked in the center and modified so that the same side of the tool always rests on the keys. Key height is set on sample keys which are supported from underneath by wood blocks equipped with an adjustable screw. Key level is then checked using the straightedge set at a uniform distance from the end of the key with the keyframe and keys installed in the piano. Paper punchings are added or removed to change key height.

Setting key dip is done in a similar way as key leveling, only with the lead weights removed from the backchecks. A 48” length of angle-iron can be placed on top of the keys to ensure that the keys are fully depressed. Key dip is then checked with the straight-edge and regulated to samples.

The technical presentation ended at 7:34 PM. Tools belonging to the late John Schiavone were auctioned. Proceeds from the sale will be forwarded to his daughters.