Disklavier

others on the list will disagree, as evidenced by how popular a topic 
softening the piano is. i just don't understand wy someone would spend 
the money to buy an acoustic piano if all they want is background music. 
you can lower the volume of a stereo to the point that you can't even 
tell it is music anymore. you can do all the yacking you want and not be 
bothered by the distracting music.

i prefer piano played at the volume the recording artist played it. 
anything else is an insult to the performer IMHO. i also hate it when 
people talk at concerts and other music venues. if they really have 
something so important to say why not say it where they can have a 
dedicated audience. much easier to hear their brilliant conversation 
without music getting in the way. if you are discussing the performance 
it may be somewhat acceptable but still better to wait until it is over.

i have never turned the volume down on my piano. if someone complains, i 
turn it off, or depending on the circumstance, ask them to leave.

On 2/8/2014 9:04 PM, Skanter123 wrote:
> I never liked the concept of "background music" anyway. If music is 
> good, it requires full attention. I'm not enamored of crippling a 
> piano's timbre so one can talk over it either.  Just my two cents.
>
> Sam
> www.keyboardcollective.com <http://www.keyboardcollective.com>
> (212) 684-3304
>
>
>
>
>
> On Feb 8, 2014, at 11:59 PM, Donal Galvin <discodonal@... 
> <mailto:discodonal@...>> wrote:
>
>> I use the digital piano for ultra quiet background music and I'll 
>> sometimes even switch off the pedal and key movement as that can be 
>> louder the piano sound.
>>
>> Regards
>>
>> Donal
>>
>>
>> On 9 Feb 2014, at 01:26, Bill Brandom <bill.brandom03@... 
>> <mailto:bill.brandom03@...>> wrote:
>>
>>> You are right. People expect player pianos to play softer than 
>>> pianos can play.
>>>
>>> It is a little like asking someone to play a tuba softly. They can 
>>> try, but the problem is that it's a tuba!
>>>
>>> Bill
>>>
>>> On Feb 8, 2014, at 4:44 PM, Donal Galvin <discodonal@... 
>>> <mailto:discodonal@...>> wrote:
>>>
>>> My own view is that people want an acoustic piano to play at low 
>>> volume levels not physically possible !!
>>>
>>> Regards
>>>
>>> Donal
>>>
>>>
>>> On 9 Feb 2014, at 00:36, Bill Brandom <billbrando@... 
>>> <mailto:billbrando@...>> wrote:
>>>
>>>> Correct Donal, just cut the foam about 5% larger than the opening 
>>>> and then squeeze it in.
>>>>
>>>> Bill
>>>>
>>>> On Feb 8, 2014, at 10:13 AM, Donal Galvin <discodonal@... 
>>>> <mailto:discodonal@...>> wrote:
>>>>
>>>> I have just taken delivery of 4 inch acoustic foam and have an 
>>>> electric kitchen knife ready to go. I think he said to cut the foam 
>>>> slightly larger so it does not fall out.
>>>>
>>>> Sent from my iPhone
>>>>
>>>> On 8 Feb 2014, at 17:40, gelsycycle <georgeall@... 
>>>> <mailto:georgeall@...>> wrote:
>>>>
>>>>> Joe,
>>>>>
>>>>> How did you attach the foam to the piano so it doesn't fall off?
>>>>>
>>>>> George
>>>>>
>>>>> --- In disklavier@yahoogroups.com 
>>>>> <mailto:disklavier@yahoogroups.com>, <jmorris651@...> wrote:
>>>>> >
>>>>> > Here is my story....
>>>>> >
>>>>> >
>>>>> > I have my grand piano disklavier in a living room that has wood 
>>>>> floors and many windows. With all of those reflective surfaces it 
>>>>> was impossible to get the piano to play at a low volume that was 
>>>>> acceptable for people to talk.
>>>>> >
>>>>> >
>>>>> > I looked up the different dampening systems and IMO the prices 
>>>>> were too high. So here is what I did:
>>>>> >
>>>>> >
>>>>> > I found some 2 inch 'egg-crate' foam padding that had been cut 
>>>>> into 1 foot by 2 foot pieces. I actually found them on Craigs 
>>>>> list. I paid $30 for a bunch of the pieces and have enough left 
>>>>> over to do about 5 more pianos. :)
>>>>> >
>>>>> >
>>>>> > I then went and purchased a large artist's sketch pad. I used 
>>>>> this to trace the different space configurations on the underside 
>>>>> of the piano. Using the foam pieces as a head and back rest worked 
>>>>> well. I then used these sketches and a magic marker to outline the 
>>>>> pattern on the foam pieces. Then using an electric carving knife 
>>>>> (it worked like magic) I cut the pieces to fit.
>>>>> >
>>>>> >
>>>>> > I placed the pieces in the underside of the piano and made sure 
>>>>> that they did not touch the sound board. This dramatically changed 
>>>>> the volume of the piano and my piano teacher who has a PHD in 
>>>>> Piano performance didn't notice any tonal or any other difference.
>>>>> >
>>>>> >
>>>>> > It worked so well that I can now play the piano at volumes 
>>>>> higher than 10 and still have an acceptable overall volume level.
>>>>> >
>>>>> >
>>>>> > Joe
>>>>> >
>>>>>
> 

-- 

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