[CAUT] Steinway B breaking strings

[Ron Nossaman]

> We are going to swap the pianos in her studio to see how the up until  
> now less played piano behaves.

There it is. Now we can see how much hammering on the piano 
sharpens the capo. Also, does this piano have a decent dynamic 
range? Can it produce a convincing fortissimo, or is she 
trying to pound sound out of something that doesn't have it to 
give?


> But in the meantime, do you suggest I let down the tension and  
> "shoeshine" the capo to see if that helps?  Any other suggestions?

Swapping pianos will be your most valuable diagnostic. While 
piano #2 is being pounded on, clean up the capo on #1 and 
restring those sections so someone else can use the piano. 
Then wait and see which piano starts having broken strings.


> I realize piano technicians know nothing of piano technique, and all  
> the foremost authorities of string breakage are PERFORMING ARTISTS  and 
> not technicians, physicists or engineers.  But at what point can  we say 
> that fortissimo is pushing the machine past its design  limitations?
> 
> Thanks.  I'm off to change two more strings in her studio.  And no,  
> this piano is never in tune anymore.

How about micing the piano and amplifying it right up close to 
her. Maybe if it hurts enough, she'll back off.
Ron N