removing lids on performance pianos

[Robert Goodale]

Avery Todd wrote:

> Are these pianos in fairly large
> halls? If so (& maybe even if not), what does this do to the projection of
> sound, especially when with an orchestra?
> Maybe some listening experiments could be conducted and the results
> could be used as an argument for not removing the lids.
> Just a thought.

Actually yes, this is a very large hall. Probably seats at least 1,500.
It is the main music hall and sees a lot of action- including guest
concert pianists. As far as sound projection is concerned, it is
fantastic. It has been called the greatest sounding hall in Arizona by
many credible music/theater people.

As far as lid removal goes, it is often the music faculty as much as
anyone else who have started in on this trend. I think its just one of
those kind of new concepts to "change the sound" sort of things- (you
know- like all this HT business). Anyway, with enough people climbing
aboard on this it makes it difficult to regulate the situation. Often I
am not present when the lid is removed. I just come in and suddenly find
it off. Frankly I don't want to have to be there every time it is
removed- it often seems to occure at inconvenenient times. It looks like
the main issue here is how to get the lid off and on quickly and easily
without damage to anything. Any thoughts/ideas would be appreciated.

Rob Goodale, RPT
Northern Arizona U.