Silencing a piano

[Larry]

I dealt with this exact same situation a few months ago.  I had concluded 
that it would be too expensive and impractical to design a celeste-type 
must system in the grand.  What I did instead was to buy some cheap heavy 
carpeting that could be cut up.  I placed these directly onto the 
soundboard underneath the strings.  They do not contact the strings.  I 
installed rubber castor cups under the piano legs.  Thirdly I attached foam 
rubber to the underbelly of the piano.

When the girl played on the piano, she almost cried because she couldn't 
get any dynamic contrast anymore.  However, when I called back a few weeks 
later they told me there were no more complaints.


> > One of my customers is a piano teacher who lives in an apartment condo.
> > A new owner just moved into the apartment under her and is complaining
> > about the noise.  The piano is a 1919 5' Drachman grand.  I suggested
> > closing the area under the soundboard with foam rubber and keeping the
> > lid closed.  She wants me to get the material and do the work.  It's the
> > first request of this kind that I have had.  Any suggestions?
> >
> > Paul Larudee