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MMD > Archives > August 2013 > 2013.08.19 > 07Prev  Next


Keys Flutter on Playing Chained Holes
By Allen E. Ford

[ Danny Wilson wrote in 130806 MMDigest:

> I have a problem with seven (7) notes on my Weber grand. ...
> The offending notes have done this since I first assembled the piano
> some two years ago and I am just now finding time and the will to
> disassemble the piano.

Hi All,  In my experience of the last 35 or so years, if this problem
occurs with old rolls in good condition then the tracker bar needs to
be vacuumed, or if not, then the bleeds may be too small.  If this
occurs with recut rolls made in the distant past (say 20 or more years
ago) it is likely that the holes in the chain are too far apart.  In
any case I would look closely at the chain land length (the length of
paper between holes) for the offending notes and compare this length
to the notes that work properly.  Additionally, it may be due to a
restriction in the tubing between the tracker bar and valve pouch (like
a partially collapsed tube).

I note that someone thought that if only 7 notes were a problem it
would not be a roll problem.  I have seen old recuts that had one and
some times more than one note that had long lands between holes in
chain bridging in which other notes chain bridging was acceptable.

I also have found rolls that had missing holes in a chain bridge.
I have a long play Ampico roll of "American In Paris" and I purchased
a recut from Frank Adams because the chain bridging in mine was poor.
The new roll would not repeat the closely spaced notes due to their
being too close, i.e., there was not enough paper between holes.

Frank suggested I rebuild the valves.  I told him not only had
I already done that but also that my original roll played fine on my
piano.  The original roll was cut to play at Tempo 85 and Frank's recut
roll was marked to be played at Tempo 65.  The company that recut for
him was apparently trying to save on paper costs by shortening the
roll.

Being an honorable man Frank had me send him my original roll and he
gave me a new recut at the original Tempo 85.  By the way, that roll
worked fine on my piano and I often wondered if he sent new recuts to
all his other "American In Paris" clients.

Respectfully,
Allen Ford


(Message sent Mon 19 Aug 2013, 20:45:41 GMT, from time zone GMT-0700.)

Key Words in Subject:  Chained, Flutter, Holes, Keys, Playing

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