I agree with developing a sense of touch rather than a weight--less stuff to handle and move as well. For those who don't, though, there are dip weights available. I hadn't thought of permanent spacers with an extender like that. That's a better method, again, less handling of different stuff makes things go faster with less stress. David Love www.davidlovepianos.com -----Original Message----- From: pianotech-bounces at ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces at ptg.org] On Behalf Of A440A at aol.com Sent: Friday, February 27, 2009 7:30 AM To: pianotech at ptg.org Subject: [pianotech] key dip (was gauge) David writes: << Cut out a slot in a card stock punching that is the thickness of the desired amount of aftertouch. I use .030". The punching can then be inserted and removed with a pair of tweezers easily. <snip> Use a weight do depress the key is you choose. >> I also regulate with an aftertouch priority. I used tweezers for years, but the final arrival of a carpal tunnel problem made me wish I had gone ahead and made up some permanent spacers much earlier. It took all of 3 minutes to cut out and tape cardboard handles to the spacers I use for measuring aftertouch, (stacks of punchings glued together for various depths), It is now faster, easier, and I don't spend an hour with my forearm tightened up around a pair of tweezers! Blow and let-off settings are both critical to making the dip consistent! I would also make a push here for not using a weight, but rather, developing a sense in ones finger for feeling escapement and a certain amount of punching compression as simultaneous events. With so many variables, (ratio, weight, resiliency, friction), not only the amount, but the nature of the resistance at let-off is a critical factor in how trustworthy the piano feels at pianissimo playing, which is when the highest demands are made for consistanty in not only aftertouch, but the sudden onset of friction during escapement. I think a well educated finger is capable of leaving an equally consistant feel as a weight, which I once used. I always found I would go back and change some dips from a thinnest tissue up to maybe pink, just to make them feel consistant. Not only are we free one less tool, but I think we can develop our sense of touch as fully as we can our sense of tone and pitch. We just have to do the work of using them that way. This is sort of like the difference in aural and machine tuning. The highly developed sensual approach is capable of surpassing mechanical results, but it takes highly developed ears to hear it, (and be willing to pay for it). regards, Ed Foote RPT http://www.uk-piano.org/edfoote/index.html www.uk-piano.org/edfoote/well_tempered_piano.html <BR><BR><BR>**************<BR>A Good Credit Score is 700 or Above. See yours in just 2 easy steps! (http://pr.atwola.com/promoclk/100126575x1218822736x1201267884/aol?redir=htt p:%2F%2Fwww.freecreditreport.com%2Fpm%2Fdefault.aspx%3Fsc% 3D668072%26hmpgID%3D62%26bcd%3DfebemailfooterNO62)</HTML>
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