In a message dated 5/29/98 7:05:10 AM Central Daylight Time, Michael.Jorgensen@cmich.edu writes: << I timed it and it took me exactly 23 seconds to strip mute the mid-section and bass of a P22. This likely isn't my fastest time either as I fumbled alittle with the screw driver and only timed it once. I remember when my Dad was teaching a tuning class and put his mute real quick, A girl leaned over to another classmate and said "huh!!, a half hour right there!" -Mike Jorgensen >> I've seen others do muteless pitch changes. I know someone who can do it by ear. Frankly, it would bother me quite a bit. Since I've used strip mutes in all but the finest unison tuning since I learned how from Jim Coleman 19 years ago, I don't consider that the time it takes to totally mute a piano worthy of consideration. I haven't actually timed it but it surely takes me less than a minute in most cases. As with any technique, one gets quicker the more one does it. It was slow and difficult for me at first but after finding the right material (action wippen cushion cloth) and having it cut to the right legnth and tapered a certain way, I learned to put in a strip mute very quickly and effortlessly. (The felt strip mutes that are sold by supply houses are not suitable for their intended purpose, in my opinion.) I would not want to tune without one, either aurally or electronically. Bill Bremmer RPT Madison, Wisconsin
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