Pianotech

  • 1.  Measuring & discussing Action Ratios

    Member
    Posted 09-11-2025 16:21

    Hello everyone, 

    It's my first post here on this forum, and I'm hoping to glean some insights into how we as professional technicians and rebuilders can more accurately discuss the subject of action ratio measurement. There is often much confusion - as well as misinformation - that seems to envelop this area of piano technology. Perhaps there could be a standardized nomenclature for the various forms of measurement taking? 

    I have had multiple conversations and email exchanges with very knowledgeable suppliers and technicians that have sometimes resulted in serious miscommunication issues - all due to the discrepancies that exist in these methods. I've also searched through some of the archives here and found that this problem goes back many years. 

    I thoroughly enjoyed reading the four-part PTJ series by Jason Cassell (May-August 2025) and was pleased to see that he made a point of noting a discrepancy of the outcome between two measurement methods and a third method, which is the Spurlock/Erwin 6mm dip block.

    To be clear, allow me to describe these three methods:

    1. AR = (blow distance - letoff) / (key dip - aftertouch)

           2. AR = (key output x wippen output x hammer output) / (key input x wippen input x hammer input)

           3. AR = hammer displacement from neighboring hammers / 6 

    In method 3, which uses the Spurlock/Erwin 6mm dip block, the measurement is taken at approximately 60% of key travel. And while convenient, it is not nearly as accurate as methods 1 & 2. Yet it is probably the most common method used, and certainly the quickest. However, as some of you certainly know, the results of measuring the same action with either method 1 or 2 will be much lower (and therefore wildly different) from method 3. (For those who may be unfamiliar with these concepts, here's a common example: an AR reading via method #1 might be 4.9:1 while the AR reading of the same action via the 6mm dip block might be 5.75:1.)

    Has anyone ever attempted to assign names to these 3 methods? I think this would be an excellent start to establishing a much more cohesive and comprehensive understanding of action ratios, and action geometry in general. Looking forward to your thoughts.



    ------------------------------
    James Carney
    James Carney PianoWorks
    Brooklyn NY
    jc@jamescarney.net
    (718) 637-3793
    Instagram: jamescarneypianoworks
    ------------------------------


  • 2.  RE: Measuring & discussing Action Ratios

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 09-12-2025 03:24

    Hi James,

    That's a common issue our shop deals with quite often, there are several ways measure action ratio, so different techs arrive at different numbers. That makes it difficult or impossible to discuss AR numbers without a common frame of reference. 

    Your first formula, AR = (SD-LO)/(KD-AT) is the easiest to discuss since it's objective as the components can be directly measured. And everyone pretty much agrees how to measure them.  Since our shop builds keys and actions, we ask the customer what SD (strike distnace), LO (let off), Key dip (KD) and Aftertouch (AT) they want, and we build against those numbers.

    The second formula, while it will give a correct AR number, doesn't reveal the very important ratios in the way you wrote it. A better form of the expression would be AR = KR x WR x SR where the ratios are all Input/Output.  Knowing what the KR especially is, separately is valuable. The KR should be quite close to 0.50 for optimum results.

    It should be noted that the most varied measurement is the key ratio. The KR can be measured linearly across the bottom of the key, or radially. And different rebuilders and sources will recommend measuring the key input from the front bottom front of the key, top front, or top front anywhere rom 7 mm to 13 mm from the front.

    Obriously, unless the two techs discussing "Action Ratio" agree on how to calculate, taking about AR numbers is worse than useless, it can lead to all kinds of misunderstandings and disagreements.

    That being said, our shop measures KR, SR, and WR radially, with key ratio to the top front of the key, not counting the overhang. We find this results in the same action ratio as AR = (SD-LO) / (KD-AT) - the direct measurement method. At least the two method are the same within +/- about 1 or 2%.

    The above two methods are similar or the same as used by Renner USA and Nick Gravagne in his PTG articles. These methods measure the AR statically, at the very start of action movement. Typical numbers for this method are 4.7 to 5.2, with the best range usually 4.9 to 5,0.

    The third method you mention, Dale Erwin's device gives a higher Action Ratio. The reason is that the AR changes as you press the key down, increasing gradually. The Erwin device is handy, and gives some useful data, but only if you compare to another measurement with the same device.

    Whenever I have a discussion on Action Ratios, I ask how the tech is measuring. Then I ask what his number is. If the number is about 5.5 or higher, I know they are not likely measuring it the same way our shop does, but measuring dynamically, later in the action movement, or just using different parameter or methods.

    I hope that helps,

    Best regards,

    -Dean



    ------------------------------
    Dean Reyburn, RPT
    Reyburn Pianoworks
    Reyburn CyberTuner
    1-616-498-9854
    dean@reyburn.com
    www.reyburnpianoworks.com
    www.cybertuner.com
    www.reyburntools.com
    Facebook: www.facebook.com/dean.reyburn
    ------------------------------



  • 3.  RE: Measuring & discussing Action Ratios

    Member
    Posted 09-12-2025 08:16

    Thanks Dean, I very much appreciate your response. Indeed, you and your company are dealing with AR obfuscation day in/day out!

    All your points are excellent. Might you have any suggestions for naming these three methods of AR measurement?



    ------------------------------
    James Carney
    James Carney PianoWorks
    Brooklyn NY
    jc@jamescarney.net
    (718) 637-3793
    Instagram: jamescarneypianoworks
    ------------------------------



  • 4.  RE: Measuring & discussing Action Ratios

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 09-12-2025 08:41

    Hi, Dean and colleagues. 

    Very good and necessary discussion IMHO. Thanks to James for getting it started. 

    Part of the difficulty in communicating technical components is getting mired in acronyms and nomenclature. Should they not be prefaced? I often don't see where acronyms are defined before they are used wholesale. For example, in your reply, you site KR, SR, and WR but never actually explain what they mean. We can only assume. For those who work with these factors all the time, it may be elementary, but it's hard to follow a discussion when one does not understand the terms. It is not my intent to criticize, only to bring this into focus as part of this discussion. KR = key ratio. SR (Someone Rolfing)? WR (Wide Receiver)? As for myself, I recognize many of the more often used acronyms - DW, UW, BW, SW KR, AR, MOI. But not SR or WR. This should probably be the starting point. Could this refining of protocols not include a glossary of related terms and acronyms as well? TIWMDMPC. 

    Best regards,

    Dave



    ------------------------------
    Dave Conte, RPT

    Piano Technician in Residence
    The University of Tennessee
    College of Music
    Knoxville TN
    (817) 307-5656
    Owner: Rocky Top Piano
    ------------------------------



  • 5.  RE: Measuring & discussing Action Ratios

    Member
    Posted 09-12-2025 09:58

    Thanks Dave,

    KR = Key Ratio

    WR = Wippen Ratio

    SR = Shank Ratio 



    ------------------------------
    James Carney
    James Carney PianoWorks
    Brooklyn NY
    jc@jamescarney.net
    (718) 637-3793
    Instagram: jamescarneypianoworks
    ------------------------------



  • 6.  RE: Measuring & discussing Action Ratios

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 09-12-2025 09:19

    Unless I'm seeing the math wrong, based on Mario Igrec's equation, Action Ratio decreases as the the key depresses.  Adding in the cosign angle between the jack and knuckle, the efficiency of the angle increases as it approaches keydip.  His example of 29 degrees decreases to close to 0 at letoff.  Cosign efficiency says that will increase the effective multiplier in that equation SRxWRxKRx1/cos.  

    I usually use the AR at rest (at the start of keydip) to determine touch since that is when most piano's feel it first.  
    Mario calls this Action Leverage.  Which, to the point of Dave Conte, introduces misunderstanding in definitions.  Is leverage the same at ratio?  IDK, as the kids would say.  IYKYK!


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    Dave Foster, RPT
    CAUT Michigan State University
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  • 7.  RE: Measuring & discussing Action Ratios

    Member
    Posted 09-14-2025 08:15

    Hi Dave,

    Yes, Mario's text and graphs are correct. With a 6mm dip block, the majority of the leverage occurs within those first 6mm, because - in a well regulated action - the last 3mm or so of key dip involve achieving letoff and then aftertouch. In those final 3mm the hammer is really no longer rising but escaping; then dropping slightly before rising again slightly. So the same key measured with the full movement of key dip (about 10mm) will therefore show a lower ratio over that entire 10mm keydip journey. This is why the 6mm dip block gives such different (and higher) readings of AR than the two other methods that utilize the full range of key travel.

    Action Ratio (AR) is simply the mathematical relationship of hammer travel to key travel, expressed as a ratio. For every mm of key travel, the hammer will move approximately 5-6mm. 

    Action leverage is different, but related. In pianos, it simply means any point of leverage in which a ratio can be expressed, and therefore changed or altered. With piano actions, distance from the hammershank center pin to the knuckle core can be changed to either raise or lower AR, as can key capstan distance to the balance rail pin, as can the balance point of the key to the front of the key. (Via moving the fulcrum point of the balance rail and/or using "cut" punchings.)

    Hope this helps.



    ------------------------------
    James Carney
    James Carney PianoWorks
    Brooklyn NY
    jc@jamescarney.net
    (718) 637-3793
    Instagram: jamescarneypianoworks
    ------------------------------



  • 8.  RE: Measuring & discussing Action Ratios

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 09-12-2025 13:56
    See my comments on an adjacent thread.

    Keith Akins, RPT
    Piano Technologist
    715/775-0022 Mon-Sat 9a-9p
    Find me on LinkedIn





  • 9.  RE: Measuring & discussing Action Ratios

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 09-13-2025 08:36

    KWYADAWYADI

    Peter Grey Piano Doctor 



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    Peter Grey
    Stratham NH
    (603) 686-2395
    pianodoctor57@gmail.com
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  • 10.  RE: Measuring & discussing Action Ratios

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 09-13-2025 15:41

    RYAIMHO. YPMV. 



    ------------------------------
    Dave Conte, RPT

    Piano Technician in Residence
    The University of Tennessee
    College of Music
    Knoxville TN
    (817) 307-5656
    Owner: Rocky Top Piano
    ------------------------------