Pounders... why?

[BDeTar@AOL.COM]

List,

With all this talk about "pounders," I'm wondering where the rationale of 
"pounding" comes from.  After almost 25 years of using a quick "double 
strike," that is, the first time the note is struck sharply, then 1/2 a 
second or so after, the note is played softer and held so as to hear the note 
to tune.  I have never pounded the notes to achieve stability.  In fact, if 
the notes are pounded too hard, you actually CREATE instability in the string.

Rather, let's have a discussion of hammer technique combined with "judicious" 
test blows and retained, controlled, tuning pin torque, which have dramatic 
effects on tuning stability or lack thereof.

For example, let's suppose you are going to tune for, let's say, Paul Smith 
at, say, the National PTG Convention which was held in Portland, Oregon.  And 
let's say that the piano was moved on its own casters from one building to 
the next, in the sun about 2 hours before the PTG banquet starts.  Now, I 
guarantee you Mr. Smith is, shall we say "exuberant" when he plays.  Here's 
the question:
Which has more effect on maintaining tuning stability: Hammer technique; 
residual, controlled pin torque, or string rendering?  Further, what effect 
do you think "pounding" would have on this tuning?

I'll spare you the details of what I did to encourage discussion!

Brian De Tar, RPT
Positively DeFined
BDeTar@aol.com
				NO OBSTACLES... ONLY OPPORTUNITIES!
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