At 10:41 4/9/98 -0600, you wrote: > >Open can of worms time! Glenn, I just _love_ cans-o-worms... > If in >setting the pin there is more or less tension left in any portion of the >string, rather than EQUAL tension from pin to hitch pin, a moderate blow >will equalize it and the resultant pitch settle lower. Caveat: I pound. I hope to pound harder than anyone using the piano will. That said, my feeling (unsubstantiated by hard scientific research) is that the sounding portion of the string is actually at a lower tension than the ends. When the hammer strikes the string, it deflects it to start the vibration. The vector force of this displacement increases the tension. Depending on the amount of deflection/force applied by the blow, the friction resistance of agraffe/capo and/or bridge terminus may or may not be overcome by this increased tension. So, if the string has equal tension in all segments and a forceful enough blow is struck to increase the tension more than the amount of the friction, then the outer segments will be pulled toward the center, thus increasing their tension. After the blow and vibrations cease, the sounding portion will drop back down in tension, leaving the outer portions at an increased tension with a maximum differential of the friction at the terminus points. As long as the note is not played harder than necessary to overcome that friction it should be a stable tuning. So - equilbrium, not equality Naturally, this also speaks to Goldilocks down/side bearing. (Not too much, not too little - just right.) The ice is off the lake, where's that can-o-worms? Conrad Conrad Hoffsommer Office - (319) 387-1204 Luther College 700 College Drive, Decorah, Iowa 52101-1045 hoffsoco@martin.luther.edu -or- pno2ner@salamander.com If I had multiple personality disorder, my resume would make more sense.
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