Lid Prop on Performance Pianos

[Eric Leatha]

>> Date:          Thu, 26 Sep 1996 00:06:50 -0700
>> From:          Joel Rappaport <joelr@flash.net>
>> Subject:       Lid Prop on Performance Pianos
>> To:            pianotech@byu.edu
>> Reply-to:      pianotech@byu.edu
>
>> Here's another question for the List Members:  One of the things I like
>> to check when on standby for a concert is that the lid prop is placed in
>> the correct position when the lid is opened.  I was wondering if anyone
>> has had a bad experience of the lid being shaken loose if the prop is in
>> the wrong hole in the lid.  Some artists get pretty enthusiastic when
>> playing and, if the lid prop is not correctly positioned, has it been
>> known to slip?  Maybe I am worrying for nothing??
>> --Joel

Joel,

I have seen it happen once on a Kawai grand.  Our performer had the
full-stick in the short-stick's hole.  While she thrashed about, it slipped
and the lid came crashing down.  As you would expect, the stick took a turn
in an unplanned direction and took some of the rim with it.  At least we
found out what the rim was really made of!  To add insult to injury, this
was an event rental, however, the store that this occurred at (for which I
am no longer affiliated), our policy was, "If it ain't sold, it ain't
spoken fer."  Many new pianos went on event rental.  Many were damaged.
Many were sold with bondo in them.  Some were sold and went on event
rental.  But I digress.  Lid props- 90 degrees- if you please.


Eric Leatha, RPT
Portland, OR
tunrboy@teleport.com
"Brains First...  then the Hard Work"
-A.A. Milne