Hello André, Can you tell us which part in the notes scale is the best candidate for battery voicing ? In other words, is the effectiveness of battery voicing the same for each note ? Also, have you already experienced battery voicing on cold pressed Kawai hammers ? Groeten, Stephane For instance, ----- Original Message ----- From: "antares" <antares@euronet.nl> To: "Pianotech" <pianotech@ptg.org> Sent: Sunday, May 09, 2004 11:52 AM Subject: Re: explanation of battery voicing/needling > > On 9-mei-04, at 3:39, John Formsma wrote: > > > Saw the term in several posts, think I have a general idea what it is, > > but must have missed how that term originated. > > > > Anyone care to elucidate? > > > > John Formsma > > > > By battery voicing we mean going into the base of the hammer to get out > more power. > In some factories (Bechstein and Bösendorfer) the hammers will be > pre-voiced in the lowest part, just above the staple. > Usually 10 stitches will be given there and usually only by beginners. > This is called pre-voicing, followed by the first real voicing, which > is a continuation of up-needling. > In other factories (for instance Steinway and Yamaha), the first > voicing starts by making a cushion, working upwards from 3 or 9 o'clock > to a 'certain' area under the crown. > With the regular Yamaha series, there is no other option because of the > stiffness in the lower halve, caused by the impregnation. We just do > not use this area, it is useless. > With Steinway (Hamburg) however, the method differs from time to time. > During my training there they basically used the upper halve only and > later, maybe, retraced on their steps if the power supply was not > enough. > The latter method also has to do with the inconsistency of the hammer > makers : one set of hammers will give the desired result, the other set > needs more attention. > The best and safest way in any case is to make your cushion (first > voicing) working upwards from 3 or 9 o'clock in order to safe the > remaining power/energy in the battery, the lower halve.This method will > give you the opportunity to make mistakes and restore them later. > It is also a very safe method to get to know the hammer by making an > initial voicing pass, and then see what the result is. > The Yamaha hammers also have a battery, but it is very limited. It > starts right there where the grey impregnation ends, and the battery > zone is only 5-10 mm wide, before you get into the cushion/shoulder > area. > The battery is a magic place we can use for more power, but also for > opening up the sound. Some soundboards ask for heavy battery voicing > because they are high overtone soundboards. > Bechstein soundboards are like that, and that is why Bechsteins are > greatest in their mid range and treble. To give a Bechstein a more > fundamental tone, up-needling or battery voicing is required from the > start. > Of course I am talking about non laquered high quality hammers and it > is a general statement, because all hammers and all piano's need a > unique treatment. > Yamaha is probably the only factory where they teach you at the Academy > to 'plot' your voicing course by making either mental notes or making > chalk marks on the keys, and then do a complete first voicing without > listening 'on the way', followed by a more refined voicing to even it > out. > Of course this is not the case with the hand made instruments made > there. A complete voicing takes two days, which is normal for these > kind of instruments. > > > friendly greetings > from > André Oorebeek > > Amsterdam - > The Netherlands > > 0031-20-6237357 > 0645-492389 > 0031-75-6226878 > www.concertpianoservice.nl > www.grandpiano.nl > > "may the voice be with you" (; > > _______________________________________________ > pianotech list info: https://www.moypiano.com/resources/#archives >
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