rep springs

[Fred Sturm]

The question has always been "What constitutes 'gentle' rise?" In my
experience, rise should be positive and rather rapid. 'Gentleness'
consists in making sure there is no bounce or hop at the top of rise. I
was taught you shouldn't be able to feel the rise as you let out of
check. I have found that it is more a matter of what you feel - you
should be able to feel something, but watch out for that bump at the end
and eliminate it. _Just_ eliminate it.
	Stronger springs, under the parameters I describe, will usually suffice
to deal with seasonal changes (though when humidity is high when you
regulate, then drops, it may be that in sensitive situations you'll need
to weaken again due to looser centers. Because you'll get complaints
about lack of check in pianissimo playing. Though often that may be more
a matter of aftertouch - capstans).
Regards,
Fred Sturm
University of New Mexico

Wimblees@aol.com wrote:
> 
> I have been taught (and it says so in the regulation manuals), that
> the rep springs should be adjusted so that there is a "gentle rise,"
> when you let up on the key. This winter I regulated all of the main
> pianos in the school, including the piano faculty pianos, with the rep
> spring set to give me that "gentle rise." Now, all of a sudden, piano
> players are complaining about poor repetition, and when I check out
> the pianos, there is almost no rise at all.
> 
> Once upon a time I heard that the springs will change with the change
> in weather. But what is happening? How come all of my rep springs are
> flat? Inquiring minds want to know.
> 
> Wim