Hammer Weight. etc.

[PSLOANE@OCVAXA.CC.OBERLIN.EDU]

I have been very interested in the perception of resistance/mass in the piano
for a long time. In addition to weighing hammers, I have been measuring the
ratios of different levers in the piano. As I am sure most of us realize, the
mechanical advantage gained from mounting the knuckle on the grand shank
farther away from the action center can drastically affect the touch
resistance of a piano. Another measurement I routinely make is the ratio
of leverage at the key. You would be surprised how much this varies in
Steinways (because they locate they key frames in the manufacturing process
and then slide the stack back and forth to accomodate strike point). There is
a definite correlation between deviations from the "ideal" or theoretical
2 to 1 ratio designed into most (all??) conemporary pianos and the touch
resistance conditions those deviations produce. I have some interesting
conclusions, along with some interesting conclusions about hammer weight and
knuckle position. The conclusions are complex and inter-related, and I am
certain that many of you out there would also have some interesting conclu-
sions.

So.....How about we plan to have or College and University Forum at the next
So.....How about we plan to have our College and University Forum at this
year's convention devoted to this, complex, important, and interesting topic.
We could have a panel of experts of C&U personnel plus include some "outsiders"
like Stanwood, Fandrich (Darrell), and/or Trivelas. Questions and (hopefully)
answers would abound, and many of us could enlighten ourselves about this
"black art" of regulating touch resistance.

What do you think of this? How about you, Tom McNeil, our good old friend and
trusted Chairperson? I am worried, as of late, about your silence, so speak to
us please.

Happy New Year all, and thanks for keeping the debates so interesting and
lively. And to you Mr. Reeves of Wasatch land with all its luscious powder,
I was not envious from 12/16-22 while I was tasting the creamy powder in
the mighty Tetons in NW Wyoming. Over 4000 vertical feet of the stuff on
Rendezvous Mountain and hardly a soul there.