[CAUT] too tall?

[reggaepass at aol.com]

...and I've had the reverse experience with a player who complained that the keyboard was too low.  Measured several other performance pianos and, sure enough, the one in question was slightly lower than the rest.  Some time later, I had the chance to do something about it (in this case, shim between the casters and where they attach to the spider), deliberately did not tell the player who had complained, and he immediately noticed and thanked me (yay!).  It's the Princess and the Pea all over again.  Apparently, it IS detectable and really does matter, to certain players.


Alan Eder


-----Original Message-----
From: McCoy, Alan <amccoy at ewu.edu>
To: CAUTlist <caut at ptg.org>
Sent: Thu, Apr 8, 2010 1:27 pm
Subject: Re: [CAUT] too tall?


It’s been a few years but I think the top of the keys were 29 3/4” above the floor. Hence the 3/4” plywood, since 29” is fairly standard and what he expected. This piano is on a spider. But it is not that he had a tape measure. He just sat down and adjusted the bench and after playing a bit said he though the keyboard was too high. He was right. No biggy to help him out.

Alan


-- Alan McCoy, RPT
Eastern Washington University
amccoy at ewu.edu




From: John Minor <jminor at illinois.edu>
Reply-To: CAUTlist <caut at ptg.org>
Date: Thu, 8 Apr 2010 13:00:58 -0700
To: CAUTlist <caut at ptg.org>
Subject: [CAUT] too tall?

I'm curious, are these pianos actually NOT their original height for one
reason or another? Wrong leg/caster relationship? I believe Hamburg
Steinway specs give a key height measurement FROM THE FLOOR! IMHO
concert instrument keys should be pretty much the same height above the
floor.

John Minor
University of Illinois



----------------------------------------------
Alan wrote:
So this must be Arnaldo Cohen. We had the same issue here in Spokane
with the Symphony. He is very sensitive to keyboard height. We have a
piece of 3/4” plywood just for that purpose. It will work fine for him.
We also have three benches – one Jansen with normal length legs, one
with legs 2” longer, and a chair with a back to accommodate all sizes
and needs.

I really enjoy his playing and working with him to get the most out of
the piano. He’s a very likeable person, very appreciative of our work
and a great player. As far as I’m concerned, we are there to be of
service. It’s not my butt up there in front of the audience. I empathize
a great deal with those performers we serve. My job is to make the
pianist comfortable with the piano so they can express themselves and
forget all about the piano.

My 2c.

Alan



 
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