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: 

Refurbish the acoustic piano back-frame 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
243313  Refurbish the acoustic piano back-frame 
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 3  NQF Level 03  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 
This unit standard will equip the qualifying learner with the competencies to recondition the action and the keys of the acoustic piano. The knowledge and skills to undertake the basic restoration of the acoustic piano is included here. The qualifying learner will be able to repair and replace the moving parts of the action and keys of the instrument.

Learners accredited with this unit standard will be capable of:
  • Stripping the back-frame.
  • Replacing the pin-block.
  • Repairing bridges and sound board.
  • Assembling repaired component parts of the acoustic piano.
  • Supplying bass strings for acoustic piano. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    It is assumed that a learner will be competent in:
  • Language and Communication at NQF Level 2 or equivalent.
  • Mathematical Literacy at NQF Level 2 or equivalent. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
    All repairs adhere to organisational and manufacturer requirements, processes and procedures. 

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Strip back-frame. 
    OUTCOME RANGE 
    Back-frame components include but are not limited to: pins, strings, pin block, cast iron frame, bridges etc. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The piano strings are detuned and string sizes recorded and undone/unhooked. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Tuning pins for replacement are removed and their sizes recorded. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The frame is removed according to workshop procedures. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The bridges are repaired if loose or broken. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Replace pin block. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    A template of the pin block is created. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The damaged pin block is removed. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The new pin block is cut and shaped to size using the template. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The pin block is drilled and fitted into position. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Repair bridges and sound board. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Loose/broken bridges are repaired. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Bridge pins are replaced and secured. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Soundboard is repaired and finished. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Repair/finish cast iron frame separately. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4 
    Assemble repaired component parts of the acoustic piano. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The frame is fitted. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The felts of the back-frame are replaced. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The tuning pins of the acoustic piano are fitted. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The strings of the acoustic piano are fitted in an incremental order. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 5 
    Supply bass strings for acoustic piano. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The material for bass string making is sourced. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The material for making the bass string is determined according to the needs of the job. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    String types include: steel and copper wire.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The tools and equipment to make bass strings are selected. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Tools and equipment include but is not limited to: winding machine, micrometer, gloves, side cutter, measuring tape, strings etc.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The process of bass string winding is completed. 


    UNIT STANDARD ACCREDITATION AND MODERATION OPTIONS 
  • Any institution offering learning that will enable achievement of this unit standard must be accredited by the relevant ETQA.
  • External Moderation of assessment will be overseen by the relevant ETQA at its discretion.
  • The accredited Training Provider will oversee internal moderation of assessment.
  • Internal and external moderation should encompass achievement of the integrated competence described in this unit standard. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD ESSENTIAL EMBEDDED KNOWLEDGE 
  • Organisational procedures for back-frame stripping.
  • Pin-block replaced according to workshop procedures.
  • Workshop requirements for bridge and sound board repairs.
  • Organisational processes and procedures for the assembling of piano components.
  • Organisational procedures to secure materials and equipment for bass string winding. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD DEVELOPMENTAL OUTCOME 
    N/A 

    UNIT STANDARD LINKAGES 
    N/A 


    Critical Cross-field Outcomes (CCFO): 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO IDENTIFYING 
    Identify and solve problems associated with the refurbishment of the acoustic piano using responsible decision-making and creative thinking. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO WORKING 
    Work effectively with others as a member of a work team to strip back-frame and replace pin-block of the acoustic piano. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO ORGANISING 
    Organise and manage oneself and one's activities responsibly and effectively to repair bridge and sound board of the acoustic piano. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COMMUNICATING 
    Communicate effectively using appropriate modes of oral and/or written persuasion to secure materials and equipment to supply bass strings for the acoustic piano. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO DEMONSTRATING 
    Demonstrate an understanding of the world, as a set of related systems by recognising that problem solving occurs in a variety of contexts in the piano workshop and wider piano industry. 

    UNIT STANDARD ASSESSOR CRITERIA 
  • Assessors must be registered with a relevant ETQA or an ETQA that has a Memorandum of Understanding with the relevant ETQA.
  • Assessors must be in possession of a Qualification related to Acoustic Piano Restoration and Tuning or a related sub-field of Culture and Arts at a minimum of NQF level 3. 
    		•

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

    UNIT STANDARD NOTES 
    Supplementary information

    Chipping refers to the following process:
  • Plucking of strings using plectrum to activate the string, to establish string tension. All the strings must tremble at equal tension across the whole back-frame.
  • The appropriate tool for this process is the tuning hammer/lever.
  • The process of chipping is achieved by plucking the strings chromatically from the middle to the left and then from the middle to the right.
  • The pitch of the sound is determined by the length, thickness and weight of the strings. 
    		•

    QUALIFICATIONS UTILISING THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
      ID QUALIFICATION TITLE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL STATUS END DATE PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QA FUNCTIONARY
    Core  58011   National Certificate: Acoustic Piano Back-framing  Level 3  NQF Level 03  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.