About Simon Bird FdA Musical Instruments - Piano, AIMIT, RRT

Simon Bird, had his first experience of the piano industry from a very young age.

Throughout his childhood, Simon watched his father, Ron Bird, an established Piano Tuner-Technician tuning, repairing and rebuilding pianos in his piano workshop, becoming increasingly familiar with the technical mechanism of the piano. Simon began undertaking the simpler tasks involved in the rebuilding of pianos, developing a growing understanding of the complexity of the piano.

Practising the art of aural piano tuning under his father's guidance and developing a strong underpinning knowledge of the technical processess involved with piano repair and rebuilding, Simon enrolled at London Metropolitan University as a part-time student to undertake formal training in musical instrument technology whilst also continuing his apprenticeship at his father's workshop and assisting in the day-to day running of the family business dealing with customer enquiries. 

Simon completed the university course in 2008, and was awarded the Foundation Degree in Musical Instruments (Piano) with Distinction, having covered all aspects of piano tuning, repair and rebuilding, as well as associated subjects such as harpsichord repair and acoustic theory. 

Since 2008, Simon has been a qualified self employed Piano Tuner-Technician and has furthered his skills and qualifications by attending technical courses and seminars with both the Institute of Musical Instrument Technology and the Pianoforte Tuners' Association at piano manufacturers including Steinway and Sons (Steinway Hall, London) and Kawai (Milton Keynes). 

Simon has also completed several intensive and advanced technical courses at Louis Renner GmbH, Stuttgart, Germany to become a Renner Recognised Technician. 

Simon Bird has gained recognition for his high quality piano tuning and has supplied tuning and technical services for large scale outdoor events such as Isle of Wight Festival, Bestival and Love Supreme Jazz Festival as well as local concert events and venues such as Classic Isle, Newport Jazz Weekend, Shanklin Theatre, Quay Arts Centre, Medina Theatre, Wolverton Manor Concerts and The Royal Yacht Squadron, whilst continuing to provide regular piano tuning and technical services for local recording studios, music teachers, churches, schools and domestic customers across the Isle Of Wight.

Notable appointments include piano tuning and technical support for performances by high profile and recognised artists including:

Keane, Elton John, Burt Bacharach, Roxy Music, Gregory Porter, Bernard D'Ascoli, Roy Chubby Brown, The Bees, Jamie Cullum, Chili Gonzales, Herbie Hancock, Des O'Connor, Curtis Stigers, Rick Wakeman and The National Youth Jazz Orchestra.