test blows

[David Love]

No, the string wasn't properly settled before the test blow.  The point was
that it doesn't require an "extremely hard test blow", as stated in the
original post, to do that.  Firm blows while manipulating the pin with
proper hammer technique will accomplish dependable stability (even through
a Rachmaninov performance).  Extremely hard test blows can actually drive
the pitch sharp, at least temporarily.  If you are strip muting the piano
and come back to tune unisons later, it can slip back flat with subsequent
playing and you will end up pulling your unisons to a note which is flat
(another reason to tune unisons as you go).  In that way, it would be
counterproductive (re another post).  This is not to mention the wear and
tear on your ears, hands, wrists, fingers, etc., that extremely hard test
blows deliver over time.  Many people do tune successfully with extremely
hard test blows, I just think it's unnecessary.    

David Love
davidlovepianos@earthlink.net


> [Original Message]
> From: Daniel Schreffler <invader@northlink.com>
> To: <davidlovepianos@earthlink.net>; Pianotech <pianotech@ptg.org>
> Date: 8/19/2003 7:41:30 AM
> Subject: Re: test blows
>
>...I've checked it out  with Sat111.Slame the note with a good stong
> blow and watch the lights go spinning to the left. Even with out the
hammer
> on the pin.Spongy pin ? Maybe...

> Dan Schreffler RPT
> Northern AZ University
> ---- Original Message -----
> From: "David Love" <davidlovepianos@earthlink.net>
> To: "Pianotech" <pianotech@ptg.org>
> Sent: Tuesday, August 19, 2003 12:03 AM
> Subject: RE: test blows
>
>
> > I wouldn't say "extremely hard test blows" but he is of the school that
> the
> > pin should be manipulated while giving the string firm and frequent
blows.
> > The C&A people at Steinway make the same recommendation (as do others).
I
> > heard a presentation of Mohr's not too long ago in which he advised, in
a
> > half joking manner, that if a technician was tuning your piano and
played
> > the notes gently as they tuned, that you should throw them out.  I have
> > found that tuning with firm and frequent blows does help
stability--though
> > I find it is more necessary in the treble (capo sections especially)
than
> > lower down.  The greater extrusion of the tenor and bass tend to keep
> > things moving more naturally.   As a general rule I find that the piano
> > requires firmer blows as you ascend the scale.  You don't need to use
> > "extremely hard test blows" while tuning.  In fact, I don't like to use
> > "extremely hard test blows" at all.  If you tune while playing the note
> > frequently and firmly, a final whack to the note doesn't really help and
> > might even be counterporductive.  It doesn't hurt, by the way, to play a
> > bit more softly when you want to listen carefully for accuracy.
> >
> > David Love
> > davidlovepianos@earthlink.net
> >
> >
> > > I've heard stories that Franz Mohr used extremely hard test blows when
> > > tuning.  Of course, I've also heard that his tunings were rock-solid
> > > stable.  There seems to be a correlation here.
> > >
> > > Any further comments?
> > >
> > > Corte Swearingen
> > > Chicago
> >
> >
> >
> > _______________________________________________
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> >