Hammer techniques -Reply

[Steve Pearson]

The question has been asked: "How in the heck does one rassle a 1098
into submission?"
In the (approximate) words of the late George Defebaugh, "if you have to
raise pitch on one of those,  you had better pack a lunch."  The recent
discussion on hammer technique seems particularly appropos to this
topic. In my opinion, the idea of pounding a tuning,  is often  a poor
substitute for good technique.  I was taught that the pounding pertains
only to testing, that is, to confirm that the pin is set, the string segments
equalized, and the tension stable.  If one pounds a string into pitch, the
only thing preventing further pounding from further moving the pitch is the
fact that you stopped pounding.  When it resumes-with the pianist doing
it- it will continue to move.  Pianos without plate bushings, and with
tuning pin coils very high off the plate respond especially badly to this 
technique, and graphically demonstrate the phenomenon  described
above.  My considerable experience with the pianos in question was that
in order to get a stable tuning, you must start with an instrument at pitch,
and be willing to spend the extra time to get it there before starting a
careful tune.  Once done, and maintained on a regular schedule, they are
no harder to maintain than any other piano.  It has been my experience
that careful massaging of the pin was at more effective at stabilizing than
pounding, and resulted in fewer headaches...or hangnails.  In my humble
opinion,  the constant pounding I have observed in a few techs must
contribute to aural fatigue.  One wonders how well one can maintain
accurate listening after an hour of this.
Steve