Pianotech

One of my customers has a very nice Yamaha C6 that he brought over from England. Unfortunately, the room he has it in is large with parallel walls, tile floor, and hard ceiling. The piano, in this room, is very loud and uncontrollable. He is a music recording engineer/producer and has a personal long term recording project that requires him to play very quietly with a muted sound. Very similar to the sound you would get from an upright with the practice rail engaged.So far I have voiced the piano down about as much as I can, and we have covered the strings with blankets. He likes the improvement but wants to take it even further.

This morning he sent me a link that demonstrates how one guy solved this problem with a home made felt mute strip, telling me that this is the sound he is looking for. He's not looking for quiet so much as he's looking for muted.

Here is the link to that guys website that demonstrates his super easy "felting" method on his Steinway. 
https://www.spitfireaudio.com/editorial/features/christians-grand-piano-gets-felted/  

I remember seeing a grand piano mute rail system at PTG conventions a while back but, to me, they are far too complicated to install and use confidently. 

I have already warned the customer that no matter what we do it will require some de-regulation and noticeably affect touch and performance.

So, today's question is have any of you ever needed to install some kind of muting on a grand piano, and if yes, how did you go about it?

------------------------------
Geoff Sykes, RPT
Los Angeles CA
------------------------------

Geoff

An interesting concept, which, as you said, would require some work to increase let off and lower the drop screw.

But seeing the felt mute being inserted under the strings gave me an idea that might be much easier to do. Insert a temeprament strip on the whole piano. For the lowest bass notes, weave the temperament strip through the strings like braiding between the bridge and hitch pins.

That should lower the volume of the piano significantly, whithout making any major changes in regulatioon or adding all sorts of padding in and around the piano.

------------------------------
Willem "Wim" Blees, RPT
Mililani, HI 96789
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 04-06-2021 12:31
From: Geoff Sykes
Subject: Grand piano mute/practice rail for a grand piano question

One of my customers has a very nice Yamaha C6 that he brought over from England. Unfortunately, the room he has it in is large with parallel walls, tile floor, and hard ceiling. The piano, in this room, is very loud and uncontrollable. He is a music recording engineer/producer and has a personal long term recording project that requires him to play very quietly with a muted sound. Very similar to the sound you would get from an upright with the practice rail engaged.So far I have voiced the piano down about as much as I can, and we have covered the strings with blankets. He likes the improvement but wants to take it even further.

This morning he sent me a link that demonstrates how one guy solved this problem with a home made felt mute strip, telling me that this is the sound he is looking for. He's not looking for quiet so much as he's looking for muted.

Here is the link to that guys website that demonstrates his super easy "felting" method on his Steinway.
https://www.spitfireaudio.com/editorial/features/christians-grand-piano-gets-felted/

I remember seeing a grand piano mute rail system at PTG conventions a while back but, to me, they are far too complicated to install and use confidently.

I have already warned the customer that no matter what we do it will require some de-regulation and noticeably affect touch and performance.

So, today's question is have any of you ever needed to install some kind of muting on a grand piano, and if yes, how did you go about it?

------------------------------
Geoff Sykes, RPT
Los Angeles CA
------------------------------

Hey Geoff,

You might do well to check out Steingraeber's sordino (pedal celeste). It consists of a thin piece of felt that intercedes between the strings (without actually touching them, except when played) and the hammers. Alex Kerstan says that with their system, no regulation accommodation is necessary. FYI

Alan

------------------------------
Alan Eder, RPT
Herb Alpert School of Music
California Institute of the Arts
Valencia, CA
661.904.6483
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 04-06-2021 12:31
From: Geoff Sykes
Subject: Grand piano mute/practice rail for a grand piano question

One of my customers has a very nice Yamaha C6 that he brought over from England. Unfortunately, the room he has it in is large with parallel walls, tile floor, and hard ceiling. The piano, in this room, is very loud and uncontrollable. He is a music recording engineer/producer and has a personal long term recording project that requires him to play very quietly with a muted sound. Very similar to the sound you would get from an upright with the practice rail engaged.So far I have voiced the piano down about as much as I can, and we have covered the strings with blankets. He likes the improvement but wants to take it even further.

This morning he sent me a link that demonstrates how one guy solved this problem with a home made felt mute strip, telling me that this is the sound he is looking for. He's not looking for quiet so much as he's looking for muted.

Here is the link to that guys website that demonstrates his super easy "felting" method on his Steinway.
https://www.spitfireaudio.com/editorial/features/christians-grand-piano-gets-felted/

I remember seeing a grand piano mute rail system at PTG conventions a while back but, to me, they are far too complicated to install and use confidently.

I have already warned the customer that no matter what we do it will require some de-regulation and noticeably affect touch and performance.

So, today's question is have any of you ever needed to install some kind of muting on a grand piano, and if yes, how did you go about it?

------------------------------
Geoff Sykes, RPT
Los Angeles CA
------------------------------

How about the una-chorda?

That will sweeten it up a bit, especially if he plays with it often, and the second set of string grooves compress a bit.  Often, when we are seeking this reduction in amplitude, a reduction in number of strings vibrating changes the tone in a very sweet way. If the una chorda is never used, it may sound muffled, but you can work on that . With the una chorda engaged, there may be a change in amplitude, but I think the change in tonal complexity is also perceived as a large change in amplitude. So using the una-chorda gets you a double whammy in perception of reduced "loudness". 

There are pieces I always play una-chorda, even though they are not necessarily piano throughout, because I want the una-chorda sound quality, and not necessarily because I want it to be quiet. It is a more cantabile sound, that you don't have to work hard for, as you would with all 3 strings being struck....and its free.

Also it gets the tonal change, without messing with letoff.

------------------------------
Jim Ialeggio
grandpianosolutions.com
Shirley, MA
978 425-9026
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 04-06-2021 14:18
From: Alan Eder
Subject: Grand piano mute/practice rail for a grand piano question

Hey Geoff,

You might do well to check out Steingraeber's sordino (pedal celeste). It consists of a thin piece of felt that intercedes between the strings (without actually touching them, except when played) and the hammers. Alex Kerstan says that with their system, no regulation accommodation is necessary. FYI

Alan

------------------------------
Alan Eder, RPT
Herb Alpert School of Music
California Institute of the Arts
Valencia, CA
661.904.6483

Original Message:
Sent: 04-06-2021 12:31
From: Geoff Sykes
Subject: Grand piano mute/practice rail for a grand piano question

One of my customers has a very nice Yamaha C6 that he brought over from England. Unfortunately, the room he has it in is large with parallel walls, tile floor, and hard ceiling. The piano, in this room, is very loud and uncontrollable. He is a music recording engineer/producer and has a personal long term recording project that requires him to play very quietly with a muted sound. Very similar to the sound you would get from an upright with the practice rail engaged.So far I have voiced the piano down about as much as I can, and we have covered the strings with blankets. He likes the improvement but wants to take it even further.

This morning he sent me a link that demonstrates how one guy solved this problem with a home made felt mute strip, telling me that this is the sound he is looking for. He's not looking for quiet so much as he's looking for muted.

Here is the link to that guys website that demonstrates his super easy "felting" method on his Steinway.
https://www.spitfireaudio.com/editorial/features/christians-grand-piano-gets-felted/

I remember seeing a grand piano mute rail system at PTG conventions a while back but, to me, they are far too complicated to install and use confidently.

I have already warned the customer that no matter what we do it will require some de-regulation and noticeably affect touch and performance.

So, today's question is have any of you ever needed to install some kind of muting on a grand piano, and if yes, how did you go about it?

------------------------------
Geoff Sykes, RPT
Los Angeles CA
------------------------------

Grand piano muffler
http://www.grandpianomuffler.com/GrandPianoMuffler/Welcome.html

------------------------------
Larry Messerly, RPT
Bringing Harmony to Homes
www.lacrossepianotuning.com
ljmesserly@gmail.com
928-899-7292
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 04-06-2021 15:00
From: Jim Ialeggio
Subject: Grand piano mute/practice rail for a grand piano question

How about the una-chorda?

That will sweeten it up a bit, especially if he plays with it often, and the second set of string grooves compress a bit.  Often, when we are seeking this reduction in amplitude, a reduction in number of strings vibrating changes the tone in a very sweet way. If the una chorda is never used, it may sound muffled, but you can work on that . With the una chorda engaged, there may be a change in amplitude, but I think the change in tonal complexity is also perceived as a large change in amplitude. So using the una-chorda gets you a double whammy in perception of reduced "loudness".

There are pieces I always play una-chorda, even though they are not necessarily piano throughout, because I want the una-chorda sound quality, and not necessarily because I want it to be quiet. It is a more cantabile sound, that you don't have to work hard for, as you would with all 3 strings being struck....and its free.

Also it gets the tonal change, without messing with letoff.

------------------------------
Jim Ialeggio
grandpianosolutions.com
Shirley, MA
978 425-9026

Original Message:
Sent: 04-06-2021 14:18
From: Alan Eder
Subject: Grand piano mute/practice rail for a grand piano question

Hey Geoff,

You might do well to check out Steingraeber's sordino (pedal celeste). It consists of a thin piece of felt that intercedes between the strings (without actually touching them, except when played) and the hammers. Alex Kerstan says that with their system, no regulation accommodation is necessary. FYI

Alan

------------------------------
Alan Eder, RPT
Herb Alpert School of Music
California Institute of the Arts
Valencia, CA
661.904.6483

Original Message:
Sent: 04-06-2021 12:31
From: Geoff Sykes
Subject: Grand piano mute/practice rail for a grand piano question

One of my customers has a very nice Yamaha C6 that he brought over from England. Unfortunately, the room he has it in is large with parallel walls, tile floor, and hard ceiling. The piano, in this room, is very loud and uncontrollable. He is a music recording engineer/producer and has a personal long term recording project that requires him to play very quietly with a muted sound. Very similar to the sound you would get from an upright with the practice rail engaged.So far I have voiced the piano down about as much as I can, and we have covered the strings with blankets. He likes the improvement but wants to take it even further.

This morning he sent me a link that demonstrates how one guy solved this problem with a home made felt mute strip, telling me that this is the sound he is looking for. He's not looking for quiet so much as he's looking for muted.

Here is the link to that guys website that demonstrates his super easy "felting" method on his Steinway.
https://www.spitfireaudio.com/editorial/features/christians-grand-piano-gets-felted/

I remember seeing a grand piano mute rail system at PTG conventions a while back but, to me, they are far too complicated to install and use confidently.

I have already warned the customer that no matter what we do it will require some de-regulation and noticeably affect touch and performance.

So, today's question is have any of you ever needed to install some kind of muting on a grand piano, and if yes, how did you go about it?

------------------------------
Geoff Sykes, RPT
Los Angeles CA
------------------------------

Larry --

Yes, that's the one I remember from PTG conventions. I always viewed it as a flimsy effort full of potential problems. But I could be wrong. The website description of the installation makes it look insanely complicated, requiring a large amount of finesse along with removing and reinstalling the dampers as well as regulation to correct for the felt thickness. Have you ever installed one of these? If yes, what was your experience?

I like the idea of the Steingraeber sordino pedal. It's doing exactly what I think the customer is asking for. I can't, however, find anything that even hints at it being available for anything but Steingraeber.

------------------------------
Geoff Sykes, RPT
Los Angeles CA
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 04-06-2021 17:20
From: Larry Messerly
Subject: Grand piano mute/practice rail for a grand piano question

Grand piano muffler
http://www.grandpianomuffler.com/GrandPianoMuffler/Welcome.html

------------------------------
Larry Messerly, RPT
Bringing Harmony to Homes
www.lacrossepianotuning.com
ljmesserly@gmail.com
928-899-7292

Original Message:
Sent: 04-06-2021 15:00
From: Jim Ialeggio
Subject: Grand piano mute/practice rail for a grand piano question

How about the una-chorda?

That will sweeten it up a bit, especially if he plays with it often, and the second set of string grooves compress a bit.  Often, when we are seeking this reduction in amplitude, a reduction in number of strings vibrating changes the tone in a very sweet way. If the una chorda is never used, it may sound muffled, but you can work on that . With the una chorda engaged, there may be a change in amplitude, but I think the change in tonal complexity is also perceived as a large change in amplitude. So using the una-chorda gets you a double whammy in perception of reduced "loudness".

There are pieces I always play una-chorda, even though they are not necessarily piano throughout, because I want the una-chorda sound quality, and not necessarily because I want it to be quiet. It is a more cantabile sound, that you don't have to work hard for, as you would with all 3 strings being struck....and its free.

Also it gets the tonal change, without messing with letoff.

------------------------------
Jim Ialeggio
grandpianosolutions.com
Shirley, MA
978 425-9026

Original Message:
Sent: 04-06-2021 14:18
From: Alan Eder
Subject: Grand piano mute/practice rail for a grand piano question

Hey Geoff,

You might do well to check out Steingraeber's sordino (pedal celeste). It consists of a thin piece of felt that intercedes between the strings (without actually touching them, except when played) and the hammers. Alex Kerstan says that with their system, no regulation accommodation is necessary. FYI

Alan

------------------------------
Alan Eder, RPT
Herb Alpert School of Music
California Institute of the Arts
Valencia, CA
661.904.6483

Original Message:
Sent: 04-06-2021 12:31
From: Geoff Sykes
Subject: Grand piano mute/practice rail for a grand piano question

One of my customers has a very nice Yamaha C6 that he brought over from England. Unfortunately, the room he has it in is large with parallel walls, tile floor, and hard ceiling. The piano, in this room, is very loud and uncontrollable. He is a music recording engineer/producer and has a personal long term recording project that requires him to play very quietly with a muted sound. Very similar to the sound you would get from an upright with the practice rail engaged.So far I have voiced the piano down about as much as I can, and we have covered the strings with blankets. He likes the improvement but wants to take it even further.

This morning he sent me a link that demonstrates how one guy solved this problem with a home made felt mute strip, telling me that this is the sound he is looking for. He's not looking for quiet so much as he's looking for muted.

Here is the link to that guys website that demonstrates his super easy "felting" method on his Steinway.
https://www.spitfireaudio.com/editorial/features/christians-grand-piano-gets-felted/

I remember seeing a grand piano mute rail system at PTG conventions a while back but, to me, they are far too complicated to install and use confidently.

I have already warned the customer that no matter what we do it will require some de-regulation and noticeably affect touch and performance.

So, today's question is have any of you ever needed to install some kind of muting on a grand piano, and if yes, how did you go about it?

------------------------------
Geoff Sykes, RPT
Los Angeles CA
------------------------------

I have a client that is moderately interested in having this on his piano. I've considered that it is no more complicated than other things I've done, just tedious. If it makes the client happy and I am paid well for doing so I'm not bothered by tweaking damper timing or adjusting let off.

------------------------------
Larry Messerly, RPT
Bringing Harmony to Homes
www.lacrossepianotuning.com
ljmesserly@gmail.com
928-899-7292
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 04-06-2021 18:28
From: Geoff Sykes
Subject: Grand piano mute/practice rail for a grand piano question

Larry --

Yes, that's the one I remember from PTG conventions. I always viewed it as a flimsy effort full of potential problems. But I could be wrong. The website description of the installation makes it look insanely complicated, requiring a large amount of finesse along with removing and reinstalling the dampers as well as regulation to correct for the felt thickness. Have you ever installed one of these? If yes, what was your experience?

I like the idea of the Steingraeber sordino pedal. It's doing exactly what I think the customer is asking for. I can't, however, find anything that even hints at it being available for anything but Steingraeber.

------------------------------
Geoff Sykes, RPT
Los Angeles CA

Original Message:
Sent: 04-06-2021 17:20
From: Larry Messerly
Subject: Grand piano mute/practice rail for a grand piano question

Grand piano muffler
http://www.grandpianomuffler.com/GrandPianoMuffler/Welcome.html

------------------------------
Larry Messerly, RPT
Bringing Harmony to Homes
www.lacrossepianotuning.com
ljmesserly@gmail.com
928-899-7292

Original Message:
Sent: 04-06-2021 15:00
From: Jim Ialeggio
Subject: Grand piano mute/practice rail for a grand piano question

How about the una-chorda?

That will sweeten it up a bit, especially if he plays with it often, and the second set of string grooves compress a bit.  Often, when we are seeking this reduction in amplitude, a reduction in number of strings vibrating changes the tone in a very sweet way. If the una chorda is never used, it may sound muffled, but you can work on that . With the una chorda engaged, there may be a change in amplitude, but I think the change in tonal complexity is also perceived as a large change in amplitude. So using the una-chorda gets you a double whammy in perception of reduced "loudness".

There are pieces I always play una-chorda, even though they are not necessarily piano throughout, because I want the una-chorda sound quality, and not necessarily because I want it to be quiet. It is a more cantabile sound, that you don't have to work hard for, as you would with all 3 strings being struck....and its free.

Also it gets the tonal change, without messing with letoff.

------------------------------
Jim Ialeggio
grandpianosolutions.com
Shirley, MA
978 425-9026

Original Message:
Sent: 04-06-2021 14:18
From: Alan Eder
Subject: Grand piano mute/practice rail for a grand piano question

Hey Geoff,

You might do well to check out Steingraeber's sordino (pedal celeste). It consists of a thin piece of felt that intercedes between the strings (without actually touching them, except when played) and the hammers. Alex Kerstan says that with their system, no regulation accommodation is necessary. FYI

Alan

------------------------------
Alan Eder, RPT
Herb Alpert School of Music
California Institute of the Arts
Valencia, CA
661.904.6483

Original Message:
Sent: 04-06-2021 12:31
From: Geoff Sykes
Subject: Grand piano mute/practice rail for a grand piano question

One of my customers has a very nice Yamaha C6 that he brought over from England. Unfortunately, the room he has it in is large with parallel walls, tile floor, and hard ceiling. The piano, in this room, is very loud and uncontrollable. He is a music recording engineer/producer and has a personal long term recording project that requires him to play very quietly with a muted sound. Very similar to the sound you would get from an upright with the practice rail engaged.So far I have voiced the piano down about as much as I can, and we have covered the strings with blankets. He likes the improvement but wants to take it even further.

This morning he sent me a link that demonstrates how one guy solved this problem with a home made felt mute strip, telling me that this is the sound he is looking for. He's not looking for quiet so much as he's looking for muted.

Here is the link to that guys website that demonstrates his super easy "felting" method on his Steinway.
https://www.spitfireaudio.com/editorial/features/christians-grand-piano-gets-felted/

I remember seeing a grand piano mute rail system at PTG conventions a while back but, to me, they are far too complicated to install and use confidently.

I have already warned the customer that no matter what we do it will require some de-regulation and noticeably affect touch and performance.

So, today's question is have any of you ever needed to install some kind of muting on a grand piano, and if yes, how did you go about it?

------------------------------
Geoff Sykes, RPT
Los Angeles CA
------------------------------