Optimizing repetition

[Jim]

Yes some are that good.  I'm sure Joel meant "NEAR the bottom of the
stroke." Sometimes we technicians miss the point of the freedom of the
repetition lever because it is masked by the strength of the spring.
I once had an action that seemed to be in good regulation, but would
fail on repeat sometimes.  When in exasperation, I took the springs
loose, I discovered 20 grams resistance in the repetition lever bushing.
When that was corrected all the springs were way too tight. So most of
the spring tension was used up in overcoming the flange resistance.
In that particular case it was a Baldwin which has a shorter spring
than the Steinway butterfly type. A shorter spring has a greater
spring rate and will not repeat quite as fast. That, coupled with a
slight radius of the back side of the jacks will make a Baldwin not
repeat quite as fast as a Steinway or Yamaha, but it will FEEL smoother.

Was she playing a Baldwin or a Steinway?

Jim Coleman, Sr.


On Mon, 14 Apr 1997, Richard Moody wrote:

>
>
> ----------
> > From: Joel Rappaport <joelr@flash.net>
> > To: pianotech@byu.edu
> > Subject: Re: Optimizing repetition
> > Date: Monday, April 14, 1997 7:55 PM
> >
> > With Alicia deLarrocha, the thing to notice is that she wants the
> > repetition down at the ***bottom*** of the key travel.  She wants
> it
> > fast and she wants it consistent.  We have worked with her several
> times
> > and when she gets what she needs, the smile on her face is reward
> > enough!
>
> 	Does that mean after touch at (near) the bottom of the key stroke?
> And does she want the damper down before she repeats? Of course then
> the key has to come up so far. If she wants key still holding the
> damper up while she repeats, that would be something, esp if she
> could demonstrate it.  Nobody is that good ,,,,    are they?
>
> Richard Moody
>
>