[pianotech] Proper use of the una corde pedal/soft pedal

[tnrwim at aol.com]

Dale

When I was at Alabama, one of the piano profs "rode" the soft pedal. He complained that there was a difference in voicing at certain spots of the hammers.  

So I started voicing each hammer at several different spots. I did this by placing a small mark on the key frame right where it meets the key bed. Then on the keybed, I placed a mark with the action at rest, (right at the mark on the keyframe), a mark with the action shifted all the way to the left, and a mark with the action half way in between. This gave me a reference as to where each hammer was in relation to the string. I would then play each note, and voice as necessary, at 5 difference positions, using the marks as a guide. (At rest, halfway between the middle and the left, the middle, etc).  I could even be more anal, and voice each hammer at 9 positions. 

Hope this helps.

Wim






-----Original Message-----
From: Dale Erwin <erwinspiano at aol.com>
To: pianotech <pianotech at ptg.org>
Sent: Tue, Oct 5, 2010 10:24 am
Subject: [pianotech] Proper use of the una corde pedal/soft pedal


SO I worked for a Russian pianist the other weekend.  Very talented. And he had real specific request for soft pedal voicing.  I learned some things but I still haven't figured out how to communicate with Russian pianist.  May be its me?  Isaac,help me  out.
 SO ,this is a quiz and a question. What voicing techniques do you all employ to voice for the shift?
    What techniques do you all use to voice the pianist:) I don't look like a plumber or a farmer(no offense meant) I ,mean I was there to elevate the level of his performance and all but ...well I just don't think he saw it that way.
  I love Russian pianist, they play all the big music and, all the way to the bottom of the keys. But keyboard side manner is another thing.
  Perhaps he had P.S.
  Dale



Dale S. Erwin
www.Erwinspiano.com
Custom piano restoration
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209-577-8397
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