Voicing Technique

[David Love]

How long a voicing seems to last depends on a variety of things.  For
example, the level at which the piano is prepared.  Pianos that are kept on
the bright side show changes more easily than those on the more mellow side.
But I think the main reason voicing doesn't last is that people don't voice
the piano at all levels.  The tendency is to voice by sugar coating the
surface to even out any "bright" sounding notes.  If the hammer is not
addressed at progressively deeper levels to address playing at progressively
harder levels, then that sugar coating won't last very long.  When voicing
the piano you should test for evenness at least at forte, mezzo, and piano
plus with the una corda.  At concert level you should test at f, mf, m, mp
and p and the una corda at different levels as well.  Uneveness at various
levels will require different treatment of the hammer--basically at
different depths.  The type of treatment will also vary depending on what
kind of hammer you are using.  The more thorough you are at all levels, the
longer the voicing will last.  Though, like tuning, voicing is impermanent.

David Love


----- Original Message -----
From: "Richard Brekne" <Richard.Brekne@grieg.uib.no>
To: <pianotech@ptg.org>
Sent: August 06, 2002 2:46 AM
Subject: Re: Voicing Technique


Sure Dale... but just what do you want me to clarify ?

I suppose its the bit about how long a voicing lasts ???. If
so I can say that I have seen the results of two people who
I classify as voicing specialists, or masters. They are
exceptional at creating the sound they want, and both get
results that last a good deal longer then the length of a
concert.

That being said, 40 hours or so of such use will really be
noticable, but I wouldnt go so far as to say the voicing is
completely going even by then.. actually far from it.

I suppose its a bit relative... somewhat like a concert
tuning. A very stable tuning in a good climate will survive
a concert quite well. And can even survive a weeks use quite
well, but for sure as time goes on you will increasingly
notice a change.

Is this what you were after.

Erwinspiano@AOL.COM wrote:
>
> In a message dated 8/3/2002 11:41:39 AM Pacific Daylight
> Time, Richard.Brekne@grieg.uib.no writes:
>                  Ric wrote
>
> > Well, of course you may be right, and you are'nt the
> > first I
> > have heard make this comment, but I won't know for sure
> > until I have mastered the style. That being said it
> > seems to
> > me that every time I have seen a really accomplished
> > traditional voicer work on a set of good hammers on a
> > nice
> > instrument, the results are a bit longer lasting then an
> > hour and a half serious work.
>
> >>>>>>>>Could you clarify this Please?
>