>...Mute rails don't need to be on a pedal, and are not manipulated when >played. >They are on a pedal because having a third pedal makes marketing sense, and >the execution works mechanically. An argument could be made against the >pedal connection, since it is not really a functional thing; either people >are sleeping or not, and the entire practice session is with the thing, or >not... >Bill Shull Bill, List, It seems you have decided their merit as 'dis or 'dat by your comments. Installed and adjusted correctly (angle of engagement/thinness of felt/distance from strings), a mute (muffler) rail on a vertical piano can offer unique sound and touch possibilities when in use. It is more than just marketing sense, and more than just someone being asleep. It can be just plain fun at times. It would seem to me that enjoyment of an item qualifies in some degree as a functional thing. Another perspective, Keith McGavern Registered Piano Technician Oklahoma Chapter 731 Piano Technicians Guild USA
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