[pianotech] SWELL was What is bloom

[kam544 at allegiance.tv]

Ron, John, other,

I have a 1912 Knabe Mignon that seems to do what you all are discussing.

I play a chord, engage the sustain pedal, and the sound changes into something seemingly greater in expression.
That's my perception anyway.

My simplistic way of analyzation would be this. All that happens is that the other strings are excited somewhat by the played chord after engaging the sustain pedal. That's what you all have been probably saying anyways.

Keith McGavern


On Mar 17, 2011, at 2:15 PM, Ron Nossaman wrote:

> On 3/17/2011 1:54 PM, John Delacour wrote:
> 
>> I would suggest therefore that the effect is caused by the system using
>> the available energy to produce and recycle vibrations which, when the
>> dampers are down, is converted into heat.
> 
> I agree. This happens in any case, in all pianos. The difference in those few that exhibit that swell effect is, I think, mostly soundboard efficiency.
> 
> I wonder at this point, how many have actually heard a piano do this.
> 
> Ron N