Inertia

[PSLOANE@OCVAXA.CC.OBERLIN.EDU]

Mike at Cincinnati: The rationale for my saying that not much information is
derived about inertia by using touchweights while measuring acceleration
in a key/hammer system came in the next sentence, though (I must admit), I
didn't make that very clear. Let me be more thorough.

I said in that next sentence: "Pianos I have encountered with lots of inertia
seem to be fine for the pianists until they play them fast and loud. At that
point, all the inertia in the piano becomes a problem for the pianist as
they try to accelerate/decelerate the key/hammer  systems very quickly many
times persecond". In other words, I don't think we would see much difference
in acceleration rates between pianos of high and low inertia until we tried
to accelerate them -- i.e. their key/hammer systems -- very quickly as
occurs in fast, loud playing. We have to invent some sort of spring loaded
machine that could engage notes rather forcefully but, of course, at the
same force from piano to piano to analyze inertia because its presence, as
it relates to the pianist in a problematic way, is not felt on soft blows.
Obviously the touchweights mimic a softer than soft blow.

For Steve Brady: A heart amen to you for your comment about pianists being
For Steve Brady: A hearty amen to you for your comment about pianists being
used to certain levels of inertia, and I also agree with Mr. Spurlock that
those levels can vary quite a bit. I have tried no leads (as an experiment)
in keys when fitting new frames to pianos and have got mixed results.
Generally people say the actions feel a little awkward when playing soft
but that they work good when playing fast. I did not put these "experimental"
actions back in service without adding weights.

To Mr. Ballard: I have been a long time proponent of using the Steinway
shank with a post '84 geometry. The mechanical advantage gained makes for
actions that will appeal to a broader spectrum of players. I wrote a
rather lengthy article about this in the College and University Newsletter
some time in '93. The article deals with shank dimensions and how they
affect the action

To all: I'm displaying too much inertia by sitting here in front of this
damn computer. Fresh snow outside. Off to do some cross country skiing.