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<DIV>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. </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>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.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>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.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>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.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>dave</DIV></BODY></HTML>
<PRE>
_____________________________
David M. Porritt
dporritt@mail.smu.edu
Meadows School of the Arts
Southern Methodist University
Dallas, TX 75275
_____________________________</PRE>