Playing enhencement
The joy of playing is deeply connected to how your instrument feels. Is your piano too heavy, making it difficult to play, or is it so light that you struggle to control the hammer's movement to the strings? How consistent is the touch of all keys? Can you predict how each key will respond, or does each one feel different?
We analyze your piano's touch to customize it to your preferences. Using the Precision Touch Design method, we ensure your instrument is fine-tuned for an optimal playing experience tailored just for you.
What is Precision Touch Design?
In the 90s, the American piano technician David Stanwood wondered why
not all instruments sounded better after repair than before, even
though he stayed very close to the 'original'. He researched and
documented many mechanisms. Stanwood determined that there is a
direct correlation between the weight of the hammer head and the
three levers in the mechanism (see image below). He calls his
ingeniously simple, practice-oriented working method 'Precision Touch
Design', abbreviated to PTD. Thanks to the use of this method, we as
technicians have a much better understanding of the functioning of
the mechanism, the associated problems and the possible solutions.
The result is an instrument where the touch of each key is
consistent, giving the pianist complete control over playing and
sound.
To understand how Precision Touch Design works, knowledge of the functioning and construction of a grand piano action is essential. The image below illustrates a grand piano action with the three levers it possesses.
Lever ratio or (R) = (3B / 3A) * (2B / 2A) * (1B / 1A)
Analyse
The PTD method starts with a thorough analysis of the playing nature and
leverage ratio, starting with the hammer head. The stop weight
of each hammer head is weighed
and plotted in a graph. (see
graph which is not yet included) We
investigate what the existing hammerhead weight is and what the
desired hammerhead weight should be so that it corresponds to the
leverage ratio of the mechanism.
The grand piano mechanism consists mainly of natural materials that react
to climatic fluctuations and wear. This affects how smoothly the
movement in the mechanism is. That's why we weigh the mechanical
parts separately, but also the dynamic weight during the complex
movement. These values give us an accurate picture of the leverage
ratio and friction in the entire mechanism and for the individual
keys.
Hammerhead Strikeweight
Hammerhead No. 1 - for the thickest and longest bass string - is larger and
heavier than hammerhead No. 88 - for the shortest and thinnest string
at the treble. The weight between number 1 and 88 should form a
smooth line (weight curve).
A light set of hammer heads requires a different leverage ratio than a
heavy set of hammer heads. Like you use a different gear when you're
going uphill or downhill.
Relation Weight Curve and Leverage Ratio
After the analysis, the desired weight curve of the (usually new) hammer heads is determined, the hammer heads are brought to the correct weight and the correct leverage ratio for the mechanism is worked out. Through careful work, we get a consistent playing style: the basis for expressive music-making.
More information about Precision Touch Design can be found on the website of David Stanwood (www.stanwoodpiano.com) and on the website of Precision Touch Design Europe (www.ptdae.nl). It is a technical story that we would like to explain to you personally.
