foam baffles and silencing a piano

[wimblees at aol.com]

Jurgen

All of the examples you cite, except for the "social" measure, are very good ideas,and they are in my book of tricks. But I've also learned that?unless the sound of the piano is reduced to virtually nothing, some neighbors are still going to complain, for no other reason, than they?want it dead quite ALL the time. ?That is why I propose that the "social" measure is the first one that should be taken. Find times that are mutually agreeable to?everyone, and everyone will be happy, without having to do drastic things to the piano. 


Wim

-----Original Message-----
From: Jurgen Goering <pianoforte at pianofortesupply.com>
To: pianotech <pianotech at ptg.org>
Sent: Tue, 28 Oct 2008 1:04 pm
Subject: Re: foam baffles and silencing a piano




Wim wrote:  

"<fontfamily><param>Courier</param><x-tad-smaller>Seriously, there is
nothing that can be done to reduce sound, especially with a grand
piano...."


</x-tad-smaller></fontfamily>No one ever got far with such a defeatist
attitude.  Of course there are numerous measures that can help to
reduce sound, and if they are not in your book, maybe they should
be...  Not all measures will be applicable to every situation, but by
picking the ones that are feasible, you can mitigate a lot of
problems.  Here are a few spontaneous ideas:  You can:


- change the room acoustics

- change the way the piano interacts with the room environment

- change the way the piano sounds

- take "social" measures


Room acoustics can be changed by doing something about the decorating. 
Upholstered furniture, window coverings and even pictures on walls can
help to reduce reverberation and cut down on volume.  Carpet on the
floor or even an area rug under a grand will make a difference.


Moving the piano to a different position  in the room can help.  If it
is an upright, place it against a different wall, especially if it was
standing against the wall adjoining a different apartment.   Perhaps
the piano can even be moved into a different room so it is not above
someone's bedroom.  Foam in between the rim braces actually does cut
down on the sound output.  As does a lid cover, the heavier the
better.  Isolate the piano acoustically from the floor with special
caster cups, as has been mentioned.  A practice mute strip can be
installed in a grand - I have seen it.


The piano can also be voiced down to reduce its power, without turning
the tone to mush


Finally, it is a good idea to be talking to the neighbors and
complainants.  Let them know you take their issues seriously.  Find a
compromise with practice or playing times.  Play scales and exercises
when they are not at home as to not drive them crazy,  and play your
"real" pieces at hours when they may be able to hear you.   Let them
know you have taken measures and steps to reduce the impact of your
playing.  If push comes to shove, it is always beneficial if you can
demonstrate that you have shown good will by investing in measures to
reduce the impact of your playing on others.<fontfamily><param>Courier</param><x-tad-smaller>

</x-tad-smaller></fontfamily>


I hope this is a bit of food for thought.  Feel free to pick it o=up
in the next edition of your book...  for a small royalty, of course 
:^)

<smaller>

Jurgen Goering


</smaller>

-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: https://www.moypiano.com/ptg/pianotech.php/attachments/20081029/807427a4/attachment-0001.html