Crumbling pianos?

[Rick Florence]

We've had BAD luck with any sort of solvent (including alcohol) and bass
strings - it will either discolor, cause loose windings, or both.  For node
points, we instruct our students and faculty to use the dry erase markers on
the plain wire and to tie colored yarn on the wound strings.  The markers
clean off easily and the yarn stays put, is easy to locate, doesn't effect
the sound at all, and comes right off.  (Tie on one sting of a unison - I
had to explain to one student why the note sounded funny after she tied two
bi-chord strings together tightly - DUH!)

For marking dampers, we have found that the post-it flags work the best and
leave the least residue.

BTW we have three pianos on which we allow preparations.  Everything else is
off limits.  Our faculty is very supportive.

Rick

on 8/26/02 11:34 AM, Otto Keyes at okeyes@uidaho.edu wrote:

> Blaine,
> 
> I'd try a delicate line with a magic marker.  If the mark is done carefully,
> it will just be on the surface of the copper winding & can be wiped of with
> alcohol.  Crayon & tape will leave a residue which may get between the
> windings & collect dust, thus deadening the strings, if you try to get it
> off with solvent.
> 
> Otto
> Piano Technician
> University of Idaho
> 208-885-7918
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Blaine Vesely" <bvesely@kent.edu>
> To: <caut@ptg.org>
> Sent: Monday, August 26, 2002 10:46 AM
> Subject: Crumbling pianos?
> 
> 
>> List,
>> Anyone have experience with "Music for a Summer Evening" by George
>> Crumb?  Music director says "No nuts and bolts in this one, more like
>> strumming and plucking at specific nodal points on the strings."  I am
>> interested in how others have marked plucking points on strings.  The
>> performance is in 3 1/2 weeks so I need to formulate a plan.  One of the
>> pianists indicated he has used chalk; he also has put small pieces of tape
>> around the string.  The instructions in the score indicate using
>> crayon.  What are the chances that the bass strings will develop "delayed
>> onset metallitis"?
>> 
>> Blaine Vesely
>> Kent State University
>> 
> 
> 

_____________
Rick Florence
Piano Technician
Arizona State University, School of Music