[pianotech] key dip (was gauge)

[A440A at aol.com]

David writes:

<< Cut out a slot in a card
stock punching that is the thickness of the desired amount of aftertouch.  I
use .030".  The punching can then be inserted and removed with a pair of
tweezers easily. <snip> Use a weight do depress the key is you choose.   >>

      I also regulate with an aftertouch priority.   I used tweezers for 
years, but the final arrival of a carpal tunnel problem made me wish I had gone 
ahead and made up some permanent spacers much earlier.   It took all of 3 
minutes to cut out and tape cardboard handles to the spacers I use for measuring 
aftertouch, (stacks of punchings glued together for various depths), It is now 
faster, easier, and I don't spend an hour with my forearm tightened up around a 
pair of tweezers!  Blow and let-off settings are both critical to making the 
dip consistent!  
    I  would also make a push here for not using a weight, but rather, 
developing a sense in ones finger for feeling escapement and a certain amount of 
punching compression as simultaneous events.   With so many variables, (ratio, 
weight, resiliency, friction),  not only  the amount, but the nature of the 
resistance at let-off is a critical factor in how trustworthy the piano feels at 
pianissimo playing, which is when the highest demands are made for consistanty 
in not only aftertouch, but the sudden onset of friction during escapement. 
      I think a well educated finger is capable of leaving an equally 
consistant feel as a weight, which I once used.  I always found I would go back and 
change some dips from a thinnest tissue up to maybe pink, just to make them 
feel consistant. Not only are we free one less tool, but I think we can develop 
our sense of touch as fully as we can our sense of tone and pitch. We just have 
to do the work of using them that way.  
    This is sort of like the difference in aural and machine tuning.  The 
highly developed sensual approach is capable of surpassing  mechanical results, 
but it takes highly developed ears to hear it, (and be willing to pay for it).  


regards,

Ed Foote RPT 
http://www.uk-piano.org/edfoote/index.html
www.uk-piano.org/edfoote/well_tempered_piano.html
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