The Feel of Voice

[Jonathan Finger]

I agree that it would be very interesting to pursue.  
Would the force applied to the keystroke affect the result of the
impact?  In other words, could a human scientifically be part of the
test?  It would seem that they would not be able to exert the same
amount of force each time to accurately test it.  But maybe I'm missing
something, and force would have no say in the matter.

What about setting up an action against a surface which would a) make no
sound and b) offer the same return force consistently.  If the hammers
weren't hitting strings, sound would be removed, and you would
accurately be able to test the return force through the key at impact,
without someone's hearing getting into the way.  


Don't mind me, I'm just kind of babbling here, it's an interesting
topic, and now you've got me thinking. 

I guess in the end though, what matters is how you leave the piano
sounding for someone.  These things are all great to ponder, but if they
don't affect our finished product, then what good are they?

Jonathan Finger RPT

PS: Richard, do you know any technicians in Oslo?  When I worked at
Schimmel, I met a few technicians from a store in Oslo, and I'd love to
get in touch with them (if you know anyone up there).



-----Original Message-----
From: pianotech-bounces@ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces@ptg.org] On
Behalf Of Richard Brekne
Sent: Sunday, March 23, 2003 4:25 AM
To: Pianotech
Subject: Re: The Feel of Voice



Jonathan Finger wrote:

> Richard, thanks for the clarification.
> I think it would be interesting to measure the difference in force
> between the two.  I would think that possibly the balance lever would
> absorb some of this force in it's effort to support the weight of the
> hammer.  I can't really think of a "direct line" as this would prevent
> the hammer from letting off.  But I see what you mean.
>
> Any ideas on a way to measure the difference scientifically?
>

Setting up a measurement is easy enough, its setting it up correctly so
as
to issolate what one is looking for that presents the challange. One
also
needs to know what signature the looked for signal has so as to be able
to
properly idendify it. There has been some research done but most of this
pertains to the question of whether  a piansts varying touch can
influence
tone. I have yet to be able to find an experiement that set itself to
the
task of identifying through measurement if the impact can be felt at the
key.

There are also a few more impirical methods to attempt, but again for
these
to have any meaning one simply needs to set things up thoroughly. For
example the testing to see whether a ear muffed person can identify
hardness
or not by feel alone. I have done some informal testing and measuring,
and
both point towards there being something delivered to the end of the key
by
the hammer impact. But since I know the degree of control I have on such
experiment is far from sufficient to draw any conclusions on,... I dont.
I
do want to pursue the matter tho. Its really quite interesting when it
comes
down to it.

RicB

--
Richard Brekne
RPT, N.P.T.F.
UiB, Bergen, Norway
mailto:rbrekne@broadpark.no
http://home.broadpark.no/~rbrekne/ricmain.html


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