I routinely iron new felt puchings before I install them. For the front rail I use the thickest felt puchings that will work. My goal is to soften the final impact that the finger makes when it follows through to the bottom of the key travel. Pianos that have severly compressed front rail punchings (felt) or punchings that are relatively thin create a feeling of fatigue for the pianist and the tuner. I figure that the pianist in reality is doing a fine finger ballet on the keyboard and that the keyboard needs to have some spring in it just like a real ballerina would prefer to dance upon a sprung floor. Just some thoughts. Michael Wathen College-Conservatory of Music University of Cincinnati
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