Silencing a piano

[Delwin D Fandrich]

----- Original Message -----
From: "Don" <drose@dlcwest.com>
To: <pianotech@ptg.org>
Sent: September 17, 2001 7:58 AM
Subject: Re: Silencing a piano


>
> The floor is probably also shaking from energy losses thru the legs of the
> piano. Place it up on "very hard" caster cups--glass or other similar
> material would be good--so the energy will "bounce" back up  the leg into
> the instrument.
>
> A simple thick carpet under the instrument (with extra layer under the
> caster cups) will also help.

------------------------------------------

It is true that there is a certain amount of energy coupled to the floor,
"very hard" caster cups will not help, however. At least not by themselves.
Something that will acoustically de-couple the leg/caster from the floor is
in order. Use caster cups to spread out the load a bit but then try placing
them on resilient rubber pads.

And then, yes, place the whole thing on a rug or carpet that is at least
several feet larger than the piano all around, assuming the floor is not
already carpeted. Or, even if it is. A natural fiber carpet--wool, hemp,
etc.--will be more effective than something made of synthetics. Just as wool
drapes are more effective than synthetics at altering room acoustics.

Del