Voicing

[David M. Porritt]

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I've been fascinated by the discussion on voicing.  I try to listen
to the kind of words people use to describe the tone they like.  If
they say "I like a bright, crisp piano,  I don't like the muffled
ones"  I know how to proceed.  If they say they like a mellow, warm
piano not a brassy tinny one, I know how to proceed there.  The
analogy of the engine timing is not appropriate as there is indeed a
right and wrong timing specification for each engine.  

A better analogy would be how much jalapeno to put in the bean dip.
Tastes vary, and there's no right and wrong.  We are like chefs that
are hired to cater a party.  The customer wants her bean dip to suit
her tastes and it's our job to deliver what they want whether it is
our preference or not.  Of course we can gather up our pots and pans
and go home if we want to be temperamental, but I'd rather give them
what they want.

I have a customer with a D.M.A. in piano performance who likes her
piano somewhat brighter than I like.  She has stated that she would
rather work harder for the pianissimo than to have to work so hard
for the fortissimo.  It's her piano.  She spent thousands on it, and
it's hers, not mine.  I have another customer with an equal academic
background who wants his piano darker than I would like.  He claims
that if he practices several hours on a piano that is brighter, his
ears fatigue and he misses little subtle nuances.  It's his piano,
not mine.

If we remember who bought and paid for the instruments I guess it's
up to us to give them what they want, or gather up our pots and pans
and leave.  I'd rather stay.

dave
_____________________________
David M. Porritt
dporritt@mail.smu.edu
Meadows School of the Arts
Southern Methodist University
Dallas, TX 75275
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