Here in the Bible Belt the term we use to describe excessive string breaking and other related problems caused by over enthusiastic church musucians is "Gospel Damage". Some of these players hit the keys every bit as hard as concert artists and use the sustain pedal as a springboard to do jumping jacks. It's no surprise that many pianos can't stand up to this kind of treatment. Even with tricks like shortening blow distance, increasing letoff, and introducing lost motion to the sustain pedal to cause earlier damping some of these players manage to beat the piano to an early death. Another good way to solve the problem is to convince the church to replace the pianist, not the piano. If that doesn't work suggest that the sound person put a monitor speaker near the ear of the pianist and then make sure that it's cranking out at about 150 decibels thus giving the illusion that the piano is being played louder than it really is. If that doesn't work just give them the bill with a smile on your face and get ready for a long relationship! Bill Scharbrough RPT
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