1. Clavichords with a sustaining stop (called a 'pantalon' stop) were produced in the 18th century. The device consists of a second set of tangents that remain in contact with the strings after the striking tangent falls away, allowing the strings to continue vibrating.
2. Six-octave clavichords were produced until about 1820.
3. Laminated piano soundboards were also used in the 18th century, notably by Lemme.
Laurence
----- Original Message -----
From: Fred Sturm
To: caut at ptg.org
Sent: Thursday, February 10, 2011 10:37 PM
Subject: Re: [CAUT] On the value of muffler rails
On Feb 10, 2011, at 9:42 AM, Edward Sambell wrote:
Don,
I do concede the point, but in actual practice this rarely occurs.If the felt wears out it is rarely replaced. I do have one customer, a very sensitive music teacher who used it because the treble hurt her ears, but after voicing the hammers she no longer does. It raises the issue too that a prospective buyer will most probably understand the need for tuning, but will not be told that regular use of the middle pedal will require replacement of the felt. It might lead the piano owner to believe their piano to be faulty, or become a warranty concern. To install a component which is known to wear out quickly has more in common with planned obsolescence than good maintenance.
Ted
Well, I will testify to its usefulness in my own personal experience. During college, it made it possible for me to practice piano in one room while my wife practiced harpsichord in the next room. After a baby was born, it made it possible for me to practice during nap time or after bed time. I replaced that felt a couple times, some of my first piano repair work. Fortunately we then bought a house with a guest house, a piano in each. Also a harpsichord or two in each.
I agree they aren't used that often, but they are really quite helpful for many. I see that many of my clients use them so that a child's practice isn't so annoying to the rest of the family. I have a client who is a professional classical pianist, who traded his St O for a Y C-6 with silent mechanism, has an upright with a muffler in his Madrid apartment. So as not to disturb his wife. After all, three hours a day consistently does get old and produces a strain on a relationship <G>.
Better, though, that we should all have a clavichord to practice on. If only the range were a little larger, and some way could be devised to retrofit a sostenuto pedal . . . and maybe a loud pedal ;-)
Regards,
Fred Sturm
fssturm at unm.edu
"I am only interested in music that is better than it can be played." Schnabel
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