Grand touch

[Frank Weston]

The key (no pun intended) word is "feel".  A piano can "feel" heavy or light
depending on many factors including the size and acoustic properties of the
room, the tuning and voicing of the piano, the position of the lid,
condition of the hammers, the condition of the player's ears, and of course
the actual touch weight.  In my experience, so long as the touch weight is
within reason, one or more other factors can be more important to the
player's perception of light or heavy.

Start by measuring the actual touch weight and friction.  If these measure
within acceptable parameters look at the other factors.  The room and its
configuration and voicing would be the first to check.

If, after you have examined all possibilities, the owner still thinks the
touch is heavy, and assuming friction is not the culprit, then the easiest
way to reduce touch weight is to reduce the weight of the hammers.  Get out
the old Dremel tool and start sanding.

Frank Weston

-----Original Message-----
From: Kristinn Leifsson <istuner@islandia.is>
To: pianotech@ptg.org <pianotech@ptg.org>
Date: Wednesday, November 03, 1999 10:03 AM
Subject: Grand touch


>
>
>I´m servicing a relatively new Samick grand that the owner would like to be
>a little lighter.
>
>I´m curious to know, what are your favourite methods in making a grand (or
>a vertical) feel lighter to play?
>
>
>Kristinn Leifsson
>Reykjavík, Iceland.
>
>