[pianotech] Test Blows

[Andrew Anderson]

Depends on the piano design you are working with.  Most cheap chinese  
"pianos" require rather firm test blows on top of good hammer  
technique to achieve any modicum of stability.  I don't need to go  
further than mf on high-end pianos, like driving a fine car they slide  
right into stabile tune with ease.

ymmv,
Andrew Anderson

On Sep 3, 2009, at 10:56 AM, Court Stewart wrote:

> List, though this subject has been discussed many times before, I  
> figured it wouldn't hurt to get some more input.
>
> Does anyone here use a "soft" tuning technique that they feel  
> results in as stable a tuning as using traditional hard test blows?   
> With all the discussions we have regarding hearing protection, and  
> special "pounders" made of hammer heads, etc., I know it's a matter  
> of concern to many.  Assuming good hammer technique is present, is  
> it possible to dependably (and efficiently) equalize string section  
> tensions without a good "whack"?
>
> Thanks for your thoughts.
>
> -Court Stewart
>