Thank you all for your suggestions. We had the concert and that string made it through. But the rest of the performance was like a search and destroy mission, as if they were out to break something and they did, Another string, A -A# 6, broke just not the one I was worried about. It was as if they thought "If I don't break something, I'm not playing hard enough."
After the show I replaced it with a used string from a classroom Model D, so it isn't getting broken in on our concert piano. I put the new wire on the classroom piano.
I wonder now if the note I've been asking about, C5, is just because it gets so much heavy playing. It was the whole unison. What I did was tune it a couple of cents sharp, and by the end of the show it was right on. I might still replace it over the summer.
Thanks again for all your insights.
Robert
Original Message:
Sent: 3/30/2023 6:33:00 AM
From: Lucas Kirby
Subject: RE: One note going out of tune quickly
I'm a little late to the party here, but is it the entire unison, or just one pin/string? If it's just one, in a pinch, I think it would be a good idea to mute it. If it's the middle string, mute the outside strings with foam ear plugs (or something sufficient) against the neighboring notes and see if the dynamic level is acceptable for the performance. At C5, you're probably fine, but used your discretion. Most players are not going to notice this, and the audience certainly won't either. This is a much better compromise than to risk having that sour, nasty note being heard by everyone listening.
This is obviously a simple bandaid until you replace the string with a proper coil and seat it properly at all termination points. Even if you replace this string before the performance, you're better off muting it anyway, as it may go south.
Hope it all works out!
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Lucas Kirby
Kirby Piano Service
Piano Technician : EWU
Spokane, Washington
509-294-8717
lucaskirbymusic@gmail.com
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Original Message:
Sent: 03-15-2023 19:13
From: Robert Callaghan
Subject: One note going out of tune quickly
Hello All.
We have a Steinway D where one note, C5 goes out of tune much faster than the rest of the piano. I can tune the piano and come back in a week and that note is noticeably flat. It has also developed somewhat of a false beat. I've done everything I can see, tuning pin is fine, I tapped down the bridge pins, seated the string on the bridge. I beginning to think that it is something I can't see, such as the string is weakening and is about to break. The piano gets a lot of use so over the Spring break is my only window of time, so I would need to do is immediately since there is a big out-of-town group coming in a couple of weeks. Unless someone can think of another reason for it.
Thanks for your thoughts.
Robert
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Robert Callaghan RPT
Reno NV
(775) 287-2140
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