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MMD > Archives > December 2000 > 2000.12.14 > 11Prev  Next


Piano Key Touch Weight & Player Repetition Rate
By Larry Toto

John Tuttle wrote, "I'd add lead weights to the keys just like they
do in fine pianos."

Thanks for your response regarding the touch weight of the keys on an
upright piano.  My concern is that adding lead weight to the keys will
create another problem.  Since this is a player piano, the keys are
weighted to depress when the weight of the action is removed from the
capstan, thus the keys depress while a roll is played.

If I were to add weight to make the touch weight heavier, I would be
shifting the balance toward the capstan (possibly crossing the center
pin fulcrum point).  Adding weight might prevent the key from
depressing during roll playing.  I guess that I just don't have a feel
for how much weight I need to add and how close I will get to the
balance point of the keys.

I will do a bit of research on how much weight is necessary to adjust
the touch verses how much weight is going to shift the center of mass
across the fulcrum.

Thanks, as always, for your sage advice.  You are very generous with
your expertise and guidance.

Sincerely,
Larry Toto

 [ Altering the static force (the "dead weight") seen by the pneumatics
 [ might create problems in a reproducing system but probably not in
 [ a 88-note player piano.  Recall also that many vertical player pianos
 [ were fitted with a stop rail under the front of the keys, which could
 [ be shifted to prevent the keys from dipping while the roll played.
 [ -- Robbie


(Message sent Thu 14 Dec 2000, 14:15:51 GMT, from time zone GMT-0500.)

Key Words in Subject:  Key, Piano, Player, Rate, Repetition, Touch, Weight

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