I use it for stringing, but only elevate the piano so that the top of the front stretcher is level with my elbows. That's ~6". I figure that anything higher than my elbows, and I'd have to spread and raise them to get my forearms beyond the front stretcher (to where the work is). With the stretcher at elbow height, the top half of my arms can hang by their own weight, and my forearms will be level.
Damper work (inside the action cavity) doesn't lend itself to such easy solutions. Of course, the bottom 2/3 of the back action can be seen from above, through the strings. But at the mid-treble break, the view is no longer clear, and you've got to look through the the action cavity opening. (Also, with 9' grands, you're not going to reach the back action with forearms alone; the upper arms are also required.)
Once horizontal viewing (as opposed to vertical) is required, you want your eyes level with the cavity opening, to look across the keyed at the back action. But you also want the shoulder joint of the upper arm to be level with the keybed. For me, the vertical distance between the two is roughly equivalent to the cavity opening: ~7". But you really want your eyes lower than the bottom of the stretcher, while keeping the shoulder joint level with the keybed. Tilt your head the side? Tilt it forward (and then raise your eyes to maintain a level line-of-sight)? Threat or Menace? You decide!
The height of the seat you use is a no brainer, but in any case, it will deliver you to the above ergonomic conflict.
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William Ballard RPT
WBPS
Saxtons River VT
802-869-9107
"Our lives contain a thousand springs
and dies if one be gone
Strange that a harp of a thousand strings
should keep in tune so long."
...........Dr. Watts, "The Continental Harmony,1774
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Original Message:
Sent: 07-28-2018 13:10
From: William Truitt
Subject: Rebuilder's Body Hack #2,473.2
Yep. Great for stringing and damper work is so much more comfortable when you can sit on a short sliding stool. Also key leveling.
Will Truitt
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William Truitt
Bridgewater NH
603-744-2277
Original Message:
Sent: 07-28-2018 09:53
From: Jim Ialeggio
Subject: Rebuilder's Body Hack #2,473.2
Same here re elevating the piano. I like the piano high, so it goes on a height adjusted trolly first thing in the shop and stays there throughout the process. This in itself is a biggy in the "body" hack department.
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Jim Ialeggio
grandpianosolutions.com
Shirley, MA
978 425-9026
Original Message:
Sent: 07-28-2018 08:15
From: George W. R. Davis
Subject: Rebuilder's Body Hack #2,473.2
David demonstrated a lot at the "Stop in Shop" at Lancaster. Elevating the piano on blocks to eliminate a lot of leaning over the piano (save the back) is a really good move.
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Original Message------
I have also noticed that David (and some others) elevate the piano on blocks anywhere from 6" - 10". I think Will Truitt's may be closer to 12". That helps (in the shop)
Pwg
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Peter Grey
Stratham NH
603-686-2395
pianodoctor57@gmail.com
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