TECHNICIAN DETAILS LIFELONG LOVE AFFAIR HE HAS HAD WITH CAREFULLY TUNING PIANOS

Published on November 18, 2005

© 2005- The Press Democrat

BYLINE:    SHELLEY SHEPHERD KLANER  FOR THE PRESS DEMOCRAT

To say Larry Lobel is the Piano Man would not be an understatement. His love affair with the keyboard has transcended all elements of his life from an artistic standpoint to a mechanical one.

The 55-year-old Petaluma piano tuner recently completed the requirements to become a Registered Piano Technician through the Piano Technicians Guild. And receiving this classification is not an easy one. He had to complete three examinations, covering all aspects of piano technology from adjustment to tuning.

Of some 10,000 piano technicians, only about 2,100 have completed this regiment. According to Lobel, he wanted this designation to satisfy his own goals rather than any other reason. His thriving Virtuoso Piano Service keeps him hopping, tuning pianos throughout the Bay Area.

``I did it for my own satisfaction and the respect of my colleagues,'' he said.

He also is one of five licensed Stanwood precision touch designers in Northern California.

Born and raised in New York City, Lobel took piano lessons as a youngster. He quit the discipline when he was 13, but later took it up again at 18. His grandmother owned a baby grand, which fascinated him. He was never allowed to touch it and this prohibition made the piano even more special.

He majored in music at Hunter College in New York, but he had no career path in mind. He fumbled around trying to find himself after graduation and credits his father for his direction.

``My father never gave me guidance,'' Lobel said. ``But the one time he did, it was to introduce me to a piano tuner.''

This began a six-month apprenticeship for the young man. Starting at the bottom, literally sweeping floors, Lobel found his niche. It wasn't long before he was tuning pianos in all of the public schools in New York City.

A move to Canada with his ex-wife found him employed with Yamaha. They later relocated to San Francisco where he continued in the company's San Francisco store, calling the change ``an easy transition.'' His major responsibility was warranty work and tuning pianos in the showroom.

He soon began working with a piano rebuilder in San Francisco. He discovered he would never be finished learning and that each level of experience taught him more about the inner workings of the piano.

In 1978 Lobel went into business for himself, restoring pianos in the garage, as well as providing piano tuning. He has become well known for specializing in the rebuilding and mechanics of pianos. Most of his business is through referral.

``I love taking a piano in terrible shape and restoring it and making a beautiful instrument out of it,'' Lobel said.

His biggest challenge has been a current project. He is restoring an antique 1865 Bosendorfer. ``It is one of the world's great pianos,'' he reported. ``It is so old, and the mechanism is antiquated. It is the shadow of a modern piano.''

His living room houses a Yamaha full-concert grand piano. At 9 feet, it is the biggest one made, he said, and they are usually only found in concert halls.

According to Lobel, he purchased the piano because it is the finest and he wanted to own the ``ultimate.'' He often holds recitals at his home, inviting customers, friends and family to hear its sound. Often he brings in guest pianists, but sometimes he plays himself, dubbing his own ability as that of a ``serious amateur pianist.'' Although Lobel chose the grand piano, he regrets letting go a 1920s player piano he started restoring. Not having the room in his home, he hopes one day to find one again.

After 33 years working as a piano technician and a career spanning jobs with the Aeolian Piano Corporation, International Piano Archives and Yamaha International, Lobel has experienced many aspects of the world of the piano.

Whether restoring or tuning pianos for customers, listening to recordings of the great pianists, playing his own piano or hosting recitals, Lobel couldn't imagine his life without the instrument as his constant companion.

PHOTO: by JEFF KAN LEE / The Press Democrat

CAPTION:  Piano tuner Larry Lobel's specialty is making sure all of the keys feel the same. Each key is taken apart, weighed and balanced.