Brian De Tar wrote: >but if you are using a hammer of improper weight, the tone of the piano will >still be very limited in dynamic range and color potential. I disagree with this observation. My experiance has taught me that full dynamic range can be had with light hammers. The difference is in the tonal energy which relates to things like how can you hear the piano in the back row, or how can you hear the piano relative to the ensemble, or how strong are the mike signals (when the piano is miked). The lighter the hammer the lower the tonal energy. But a piano with light hammers wil still have a full dynamic range. I like to discribe it this: Light hammers create a small rainbow of tonal color. Heavier hammers create a larger rainbow. As a general rule: the lighter the hammer the softer the felt needs to be in order to achieve the rainbow effect, and vice versa. David C. Stanwood
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