[pianotech] smooth or rough keys

[Euphonious Thumpe]

I also play professionally, and wouldn't dream of touching a piano 
( or anything else that's not mine, outside of a doorknob ) without washing my hands, first.  Besides its being inconsiderate ( in my considered opinion ) I've spent too many days scraping black goo off the sides of keys, from grimy fingers, and also seen how sweat can literally dissolve keys!  I also don't like sitting to play a  piano in a public place, and feel unidentified slimy scum on my fingertips, from whomever sat there last. ( NOT conducive to "artistic reveries"!) Also:  I knew a  music major who could rip through all the Liszt Hungarian Rhapsodies "in her sleep" but ate chicken in the University practice rooms, licked her fingers and then played!!! In "no time" THAT piano really STANK !!!!!!! )

     That said, I like playing with just-washed hands, on very clean, cool, "silky" cellulose-type keytops.  I find its "satiny" feel extremely comfortable. ( Much nicer than "plastic". Does anyone still make this stuff ? )  

Euphonious Thumpe


--- On Sun, 2/1/09, Steven Hopp <hoppsmusic at hotmail.com> wrote:

> From: Steven Hopp <hoppsmusic at hotmail.com>
> Subject: Re: [pianotech] smooth or rough keys
> To: pianotech at ptg.org
> Date: Sunday, February 1, 2009, 9:30 PM
> Carl,
>  
> Having played the piano nearly 40 years and still
> practicing 2-3 hours a day and performing regularly
> throughout the year with at least one or two solo recitals I
> feel qualified to answer giving my opinion.  
>  
> First, if I perform anywhere I do not wash my hands first. 
> Most soaps leave a residue on the skin that can be slippery
> sometimes.  A little natural dirt and oil provides a bit of
> a grip that is desirable over slick clean hands.  I prefer
> pianos with as you call them rough keys.  Ivory is a great
> feel under the fingers as are ebony or flat black keys. 
> These types of keys give me a sense of security in most
> rapid passage work and a nice grip for the fingers. 
> However, I think it would feel very strange to play on
> plastic keys that had been steel wooled.  Smooth plastic
> would be much preferred over something not quite natural. 
> If the keys were sticky gross that would be bad but here
> again smooth plastic keys with just a bit of natural residue
> on them would grip a little better than highly polished
> keys.  These keys would push me into what I call the
> "danger zone".
>  
> If your clients piano keys are gross then by all means keep
> teaching them to keep them clean.  I have found that most
> clients are more horrified when they learn of the garbage
> that lurks underneath the keys that little Sally or Johnny
> is playing over.  (mice nests, bugs, cockroach eggs and the
> like).  This cleaning service can really make a satisfied
> customer.  Hope this helps and it is just my opinion.  
>  
> Steven Hopp
> 
> 
> 
> From: koko99 at shaw.caTo: ;Date: Mon, 26 Jan 2009 23:43:16
> -0600Subject: [pianotech] smooth or rough keys
> 
> 
> Reading the posts re. washing your hands, led me to asking
> this question.  
> Many times in a customers home I've encountered a
> keyboard that was 
> slow and sticky. I don't mean sticky, like tacky, but
> you can't run your fingures
> along the keys without feeling drag.   Hate the feeling, so
> I suggest to the
> person I'm dealing with that I show them something that
> could help make playing
> easier .  First I have them drag their fingures along the
> keys, and then I clean 
> an octave.  When they run their fingures from the keys that
> drag to the clean
> part, the difference is quite obvious.   Even if they
> aren't the one playing, they
> can see that it should be easier for little Johnny or Mary
> to perform on clean
> keys. Most of the time, on my next visit, the keys are
> clean.  
>  
> My question is this:   do most high skilled pianists prefer
> a smooth shiny
> keyboard, or one that has an ivory, sanded type surface? 
> Not sure if I've
> asked the question properly.  When I've steelwooled key
> tops to get them
> smooth , plastic or ivory, there is this feel I'm
> trying to describe. If it's plastic
> for sure, I will buff to high gloss.  Should they be left
> somewhere a little
> before the gloss appears ??     Pretty hard to do, I think.
>  
> Carl / Winnipeg
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