SAQA All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.
SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED UNIT STANDARD THAT HAS PASSED THE END DATE: 

Regulate an acoustic piano 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
264857  Regulate an acoustic piano 
ORIGINATOR
SGB Piano Restoration and Tuning 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY
-  
FIELD SUBFIELD
Field 02 - Culture and Arts Music 
ABET BAND UNIT STANDARD TYPE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL CREDITS
Undefined  Regular  Level 4  NQF Level 04  18 
REGISTRATION STATUS REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE SAQA DECISION NUMBER
Passed the End Date -
Status was "Reregistered" 		 2018-07-01  2023-06-30  SAQA 06120/18 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2024-06-30   2027-06-30  

In all of the tables in this document, both the pre-2009 NQF Level and the NQF Level is shown. In the text (purpose statements, qualification rules, etc), any references to NQF Levels are to the pre-2009 levels unless specifically stated otherwise.  

This unit standard does not replace any other unit standard and is not replaced by any other unit standard. 

PURPOSE OF THE UNIT STANDARD 
The person credited with this unit standard will be able to fully understand and implement the principles relating to the optimum function of all components of the acoustic piano. They will display skills necessary to achieve satisfactory results in the regulation of acoustic pianos according to industry standards.

Learner accredited with this Unit Standard will be capable of:
  • Describing and implementing the principles and procedures used in the regulation of the acoustic piano.
  • Defining the measurements and tolerances used in regulating an acoustic piano.
  • Displaying the ability to assess the results upon completion of the regulation. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    It is assumed that a learner will be competent in:
  • Language and Communication, NQF Level 3 or equivalent.
  • Mathematical Literacy, NQF Level 3 or equivalent. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
  • Performance of all elements is to be carried out in accordance with industry standards and organisation standards and procedures, unless otherwise stated. Organisation standards and procedures may cover: quality assurance, standard operational procedures, communication, health and safety, and personal behaviour.
  • All activities must comply with any policies, procedures and requirements of the organisations involved, the ethical codes of relevant professional bodies and any relevant legislative and/ or regulatory requirements. 
    		•

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Describe the equipment and procedures used in the regulation of the acoustic piano. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The component parts of the action and keys are identified and described according to the function they perform. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Components include but not limited to hammer assembly parts, viz, Lever assembly parts, damper assembly parts, rails and standards.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The tools and equipment for regulating acoustic pianos are described and enumerated in terms of how they operate. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The usage and maintenance of tools is described according to manufacturer specifications. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Tools, equipment and consumables are correctly selected for the repair process to be executed. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Problems with equipment and tooling is identified and rectified in accordance with organisational procedures. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Combine and regulate acoustic piano action and keys to provide optimum touch and tonal response. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The sequence for regulating a piano is complied with according to industry standards. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Includes both upright and grand piano.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The importance of adhering to specified measurements and tolerances is described in terms of the effect of the sound quality. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Settings required in an upright piano are confirmed to be in accordance with manufacturer specifications. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Key height, Key dip, hammer blow, lost motion, hammer set-off, hammer checks, bridal tapes, damper lift (key), damper lift (pedal), touch weight, damper slap rail.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Settings required in a grand piano are confirmed to be in accordance with manufacturer specifications. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Key bed seating, key heights, key dip, hammer blow, hammer set-off, hammer drop screw, hammer checks, hammer striking point, height of lever/wippen, position of jack, tension of lever spring, damper lift (key), damper lift (pedal), damper stop rail, una chorda movement.
     

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Assess the results upon completion of the regulation. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The full compass of keys on the piano are played in a number of ways to illustrate optimum performance of hammer mechanism. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The full compass of keys on the piano are depressed in order to illustrate performance of damper lift on keys. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The piano is played with varying intensity to demonstrate effective damping and sustain pedal function. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The piano is played in a manner that will demonstrate effectiveness of una chorda and sostenuto if applicable. 


    UNIT STANDARD ACCREDITATION AND MODERATION OPTIONS 
  • Any individual wishing to be assessed, (including RPL) against this Unit Standard may apply to an assessment agency, assessor or provider institution accredited by the relevant ETQA, or an ETQA that has a memorandum of understanding with the relevant ETQA.
  • Anyone assessing a learner against this Unit Standard must be registered as an assessor with the relevant ETQA, or an ETQA that has a memorandum of understanding with the relevant ETQA.
  • Anyone assessing a learner against this Unit Standard must hold a minimum of level 5 qualification in the piano restoration field.
  • Any institution offering learning that will enable achievement of this US or assessing this US must be accredited as a provider with the relevant ETQA, or an ETQA that has a memorandum of understanding with the relevant ETQA.
  • Moderation of assessment will be overseen by the relevant ETQA according to the moderation guidelines in the relevant qualification and ETQA guidelines. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD ESSENTIAL EMBEDDED KNOWLEDGE 
    Embedded knowledge underpinning this unit standard is:
  • Knowledge of piano components.
  • Tools and equipment required for regulating a piano.
  • How to use and maintain piano regulating tools.
  • How to identify and rectify problems with piano regulating tools.
  • The sequence for regulating a piano.
  • Measurements and tolerances.
  • How to vary intensity when playing a piano. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD DEVELOPMENTAL OUTCOME 
    N/A 

    UNIT STANDARD LINKAGES 
    N/A 


    Critical Cross-field Outcomes (CCFO): 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO IDENTIFYING 
    Identify and solve problems in a responsible manner using critical and creative thinking in making decisions relating to regulating acoustic piano. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO WORKING 
    Work effectively with others as member of the team when repairing, fitting and aligning inner playing mechanism of a piano. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO ORGANISING 
    Organise and manage oneself and one's activities responsibly while carrying out the various aspects in regulating an acoustic piano. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COMMUNICATING 
    Communicate effectively with colleagues and other team members in reporting wear and tear of an acoustic piano and/or equipment. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO SCIENCE 
    Use science and technology effectively and critically, showing responsibility towards the health and safety during repair process. 

    UNIT STANDARD ASSESSOR CRITERIA 
    N/A 

    REREGISTRATION HISTORY 
    As per the SAQA Board decision/s at that time, this unit standard was Reregistered in 2012; 2015. 

    UNIT STANDARD NOTES 
    N/A 

    QUALIFICATIONS UTILISING THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
      ID QUALIFICATION TITLE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL STATUS END DATE PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QA FUNCTIONARY
    Core  67354   Further Education and Training Certificate: Piano Technology  Level 4  NQF Level 04  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2023-06-30  CATHSSETA 


    PROVIDERS CURRENTLY ACCREDITED TO OFFER THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
    This information shows the current accreditations (i.e. those not past their accreditation end dates), and is the most complete record available to SAQA as of today. Some Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionaries have a lag in their recording systems for provider accreditation, in turn leading to a lag in notifying SAQA of all the providers that they have accredited to offer qualifications and unit standards, as well as any extensions to accreditation end dates. The relevant Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionary should be notified if a record appears to be missing from here.
     
    NONE 


    All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.