Damper pedal modifications

[Dean May]

Hi Annie

PianoDisc makes a kit for just the pedal solenoid for physically challenged
people. You could rig this with a standard keyboard foot pedal that you
could put anywhere, but it isn't transportable between pianos. I don't know
how you can get around that one. 

I would recommend removing the una corda link and fabricating some new
trapwork to make the left pedal work the sustain. It is really pretty easy
to do. If you have a PianoDisc installer in your chapter they would probably
be a willing to help. If they're like me they probably have lots of trap
work parts they've taken off pianos that you could use. 

I have a customer that fabricated their own music desk to lower the music.
It was basically a large piece of plexiglass with a hook bent on the top
side to hook over the top of the music desk. It then hung down over the
fallboard, resting against the edge of the fallboard. They had some kind of
shelf fabricated on the lower edge to hold the music. 


Dean
Dean May             cell 812.239.3359
PianoRebuilders.com   812.235.5272
Terre Haute IN  47802


-----Original Message-----
From: pianotech-bounces at ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces at ptg.org] On Behalf
Of annie at allthingspiano.com
Sent: Monday, January 21, 2008 12:50 PM
To: Pianotech List
Subject: Damper pedal modifications

Has anyone on this list every built or seen a modification of a damper
pedal that would make it possible for someone to use the left foot and
still sit square with the piano?

I have a customer who has had her right hip replaced twice and is forced
into all sorts of contortions and pain to pedal with her right foot.  In
fact, she has to sit higher than is comfortable for her so she can pedal,
and that means that her trifocals are not right for reading the music, and
it just generally makes her life difficult.

If she could use her left foot, instead, life might be simpler and more
enjoyable.  And if this modification was an add-on, then she could take it
with her when she plays elsewhere (or remove it when somebody else plays
that piano).  These sorts of issues will probably become more common as
the playing population ages, so here's your chance to develop a cool tool
and get it to market!

She plays for church, so please don't suggest that she not use the
pedal....... <g>  And she is an amazing player, so I'd like to see her
enjoy her gifts.

Thanks in advance for any (helpful <g>) advice (and why would I ever
expect anything else, eh?),
Annie Grieshop