Thank you all very very much. Extremely helpful. And an amazing analysis by Jonathan, thanks so much. I enjoyed that, just don't you dare go to my website.
Here's another small section that stood out to me:
" Tapping Tools and the Correct Technique of Tapping"
"The tool you use to tap determines the pitches you hear, The heavier the object, the more surface area is activated. This, of course, is relative to the thickness,stiffness and mass of the object you are tuning. Also, the heavier the tapping tool, the longer the contact of the tool with the surface will be, and the longer the contact duration of the tool to the surface, the more damping of certain pitches will occur.
For these reasons, you want to select a tapping tool with an ideal weight and contact surface area that minimizes the length of time and area of contact surface to be tuned. A too light tool will not be able to generate certain pitches that you need to hear. Therefore, carefully choose your tool so that it draws out the pitch you wish to hear but not be so heavy as to damp too much sound."
.........and he goes on like this another paragraph.
My question is- Why not just show a picture of the tapping tool? And maybe include directions/plans on how to make one?
That seemed weird to me. My conclusion is that this book is not about helping the reader acquire new skills, but more about the author placing himself upon some sort of pedestal of greatness. What a turn off, especially since I just paid $200 for it. So I am a little disappointed.
I was going to share with you the title and author, but due to the 100% negative comments, it doesn't seem appropriate. But, it is a publicized book, so if you want the title and author name, PM me.
Thanks again everyone, very helpful.
-chris
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Troubles are Bubbles, and they just float away.
chernobieffpiano.com
grandpianoman@protonmail.comKnoxville, TN
865-986-7720
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Original Message:
Sent: 11-12-2019 12:12
From: James Kelly
Subject: Book Review Feedback
If Steinway has a patent on the Diaphragmatic soundboard it means it is their unique invention and had to meet various requirements to justify a patent. Acoustics are a complex subject but the wood used in soundboards must meet certain criteria such as grain, thickness, tension , finish etc. Plenty of people can comment on the role of the soundboard in tone production but I think it is often considered the soul of the piano. I am not convinced that piano soundboards in general imitated violin designs except for the Mehlin Viola-grand that
regarding tuning wood that seems rather strange. Perhaps when the wood is selected for the soundboard tap tuning is used but I have never heard of tuning wood as part of piano tuning
Factually Chickering & Sons was the leading/fore-most maker of pianos in America when one is talking about the 1850's. In 1853/1854 they built the largest piano factory in the world at 791 Tremont Street in Boston. Eventually Steinway & Sons edged out Chickering
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James Kelly
Pawleys Island SC
843-325-4357
Original Message:
Sent: 11-11-2019 23:32
From: Chris Chernobieff
Subject: Book Review Feedback
I'm currently working on a book review. I wish to keep the title and author secret for now. It is a book on the application of acoustics in making musical instruments. The reason I'm asking for feedback is because as I keep reading, well, I keep sensing a weird type of style in the writing, and I can't quite put my finger on it yet.
Here's an example:
............"The foremost piano maker in America in the mid-19th Century, Steinway supposedly invented the Diaphragmatic soundboard. I say supposedly because all they did was imitate the thickness of plate -tuned violins(thick in the center and thin at the edges). Predictably, it made the sound volume more flexible and the overall resonance superior, so it was deemed to be better. The problem with this manner of mechanical management of the soundboard is that nothing is in tune and everything sounds colorless, hence boring. Added to this, the habit of diagonally running the grain of the soundboard wood from the treble to the bass also caused the effect of colorlessness.
Considering that nothing on their soundboards was tuned, it's no wonder that the modern piano has "inspired" over the last 150 years a largely unmusical manner of playing."
Thoughts?
-chris
------------------------------
Troubles are Bubbles, and they just float away.
chernobieffpiano.com
grandpianoman@protonmail.com
Knoxville, TN
865-986-7720
------------------------------