[pianotech] What is bloom,

[Ron Nossaman]

As usual, this has gone into different directions from JD's initiating 
observation. Everywhere but, in fact. His post explained what he was 
doing. Play a chord, or even a note and, holding that chord or note, 
step on the damper pedal. In most pianos (nearly all) not much 
interesting happens. In some rare pianos, the whole thing comes alive! 
The impression is that the volume increases, and the sound becomes 
hugely rich. It swells! The first piano I heard do this was one of my 
redesigns. I wasn't even aware it was possible until I stumbled upon it 
as I was finishing it up in the shop. It's an extraordinary sound. This 
isn't shaping the tonal envelope with voicing. It's something entirely 
different, rare, and I think special.

Ron N