Chapter 1: Getting Started

• Introduction
• Two Main Objectives in Damper Work
• Getting Started
• Different Approaches, and Why I Do What I Do
• Summary

Chapter 2: Tools and Supplies

• A Few Words About Tools
• First Priority
• Second Priority
• Other Tools and Supplies
• Summary

Chapter 3: Naming the Bends/Using the Tools

• Naming the Four Bends
• Three Important Things to Remember
• Developing a Damper Man’s Eye
• Understanding and Making the Ten Essential Adjustments
• Summary

Chapter 4: Fine Damper Regulation

• The Pitch Raise Method
• The Nitpick Method
• An Order for Fine Tuning the Regulation
• A Final Checklist
• Summary

Chapter 5: In-The-Home Remedial Work

• Educating Clients
• Fixing Individual Leaking Dampers
• Adjusting the Pedals
• Individual Felt Replacements
• Going Beyond the Original Design
• Sticky Underlever Centers
• Summary

Chapter 6: The Back Action

• Crossing the “Magic Line”
• Checking/Changing the Damper Tray Pivot Blocks
• Making New Pivot Blocks
• Checking Friction in the System
• Setting the Damper Upstop Rail Height
• Replacing the Damper Upstop Rail Felt
• Replacing the Damper Tray Felt
• Summary

Chapter 7: Re-setting Damper Lift/Setting Tray Height

• Damper Lift from the Key Using Spoons
• Damper Lift from the Key Using Capstans
• Damper Lift Adjustments When There are No Spoons, Capstans, etc.
• A Protocol for Resetting All the Dampers
• Additional Notes
• Summary

Chapter 8: Replacing Damper Felt

• All Felt is Not Created Equal
• Removing Old Felt
• Installing New Felt
• Single Felt Replacement
• Summary

Chapter 9: Replacing Damper Wires

• Using New Wires with Old Heads/Hole Repair
• Replacing the Heads (New Set)
• Installing New Wires into New Heads
• Making the Initial Bends/Rough Installation
• Those Difficult Cantilevered Dampers!
• Summary

Chapter 10: Replacing the Back Action with a New Renner System

• The Renner Back Action
• Instructions Online
• Ordering the Right System
• Tips Beyond the Renner Instructions
• Summary

Chapter 11: Troubleshooting, Tricks of the Trade, and Miscellaneous

• Revisiting the Damper Man’s Eye
• Adding Weight to Dampers
• Softening the Felt: Oinking and Whooshing Dampers
• “Trimming the Beard”
• Thinning Bass Damper Felt
• Replace it!
• Pedals Revisited
• Replacing Key-End Felt
• Summary

Chapter 12: Upright (Vertical) Piano Dampers

• A Few Basics of Upright Dampers
• Replacing Damper Felt in an Upright Piano
• A Few Extra Tips
• Troubleshooting Upright Dampers
• Summary