Played to death?

[A440A@aol.com]

Joseph Vitti writes:

>The pianos in our Recital Hall (two very fine Steinway Ds ) are being played
to
death.

        This is a problem??  We are in the business of service, and a high
usage situation is a high service situation. It affords the technician an
opportunity to learn a lot, and be well paid while doing it.     Nothing will
teach you as much about doing durable work as a school full of lead-fingers.
You find what works,  and what doesn't.  Talk is cheap, but experience is
valuable.
        I have approached the wear problem at school by educating the bean
counters.  Demonstrate that  hammers and dampers  are non-durable parts and
have a finite service life; the more filing and needling required, the faster
the hammers will wear.   When the money managers understand that each note
costs a certain amount,  they will either pay more , or allow less play.

       **** I would really be cautious about being  responsible for a stage
piano that is not properly funded. It will sound  bad,  cause complaints,
 and make  the tech appear to be as poor as the instrument.****

       Race cars,(another performance article), get more tires in one race
than your sedan will in a lifetime.  That concert instrument will properly
use up hammers and dampers at a much faster rate than others.  Use hide glue,
and enjoy replacing  these items. The concert stage is like a dyno room; you
find out strengths and weaknesses in a hurry, especially with the "guest
artists" that don't know you.  Ask for critique and treat it like schooling.


        And yes, I agree with Joesph, the best piano is played non-stop until
the lesser piano begins appearing better and better, however this gives you
the chance to constantly take the poorer of two instruments and make it
superior to the "better" piano.  Each time you do this you demonstrate how
much of the piano's quality is due to the care and expertise you bring to it.

Regards,
Ed Foote
Precision Piano Works
Nashville