Delwin D Fandrich wrote: > Richard Brekne wrote: > > > A lot of pianists complain about actions being "to stiff". I am wondering how one > > avoids too stiff a feel to the action, while at the same time finding every > > possible way to make parts so that they are stiffer in effort to transfer more > > energy from finger to string ? > > > > Richard Brekne > > -------------------------------------------- > > > If the keys are so flexible that under a reasonably hard blow the front of the key > bottoms out before the hammer starts to move, it is too flexible. And, yes, this > happens, especially in larger pianos. We had a Steinway D (built in the 60's) in the > shop a couple of years back that had a severe problem with this. With just a > moderately hard blow in the bass you could easily hear the key bottom out and then, > some moments later, you could hear the hammer strike the string. Needless to say, > the complaint was a lack of acoustical power. > I Am suprised.. Have never really considered this and wouldnt have imagined that such an extreme was really possible > > Usually when a pianist complains about an action being too stiff it is because of > excessive friction and/or mass. What about hard action felt, visa vi softer. Specifically the felt cushion on the underside of whippens, and to some degree front rail felts ( hard feel at key down vs, a more cushiony feel). On many Petrof /Weinbach pianos I find that harder felt on the underside of the whippen "stiffens" the feel of the action and makes for a bit more stability in regulating from capstan up. Would you rule out such things as part of what makes an action "feel" stiff then ? I hadnt imagined that keys could flex soooo much, but wouldnt that also feel somewhat like a lack of stiffness ? > > > Technicians tend to check and regulate things statically on the bench, touch weight > being one of them. During the 70's it was not unusual to find Steinway actions with > the "correct" 52 grams of downweight and 6 or 7 leads in the keys through the first > couple of octaves..... No argument there from me. I tend to lean towards the Light Hammer and Low Mass idea Ed McMorrow wrote about some years back, and as such I am no fan of lead in keys. Slows repetition down too much in the end. As for downweight, thats kinda a useless measurement in itself isnt it ? I know several techs here that seem to be totally unaware of the upweight measurement and the total "touchweight". Most dont even seem to be aware that you can figure action friction with these measurements. Have never equated action stiffness with mass and friction before, so I will have to pay attention to what customers say in this regard in future action jobs. Interesting.. > > > Regards, > > Del Likewise Richard Brekne
This PTG archive page provided courtesy of Moy Piano Service, LLC