Music Trade Review

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THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW
9
ing. Consequently we see that it is necessary to
use this method with the greatest caution.
THE REVIEW'S TECHNICAL DEPARTMENT.
Conducted and Edited by Win. B. White.
[Contributions are Invited for this department from members of the industry bearing strictly on the practical side
of the craft
Communications must be signed with the name and address of the sender
The editor ac-
cepts no responsibility for the opinions of correspondents.]
This week we shall continue the discussion of
the grand pianoforte action that was begun in
the last issue. The complexity of the subject is
such that no adequate treatment of it can be
made within the brief compass of one page of
this department. We have contrived already to
give a more or less complete description of the
prevailing types of grand action, and it now re-
mains to discuss certain of the defects and diffi-
culties that are met with in the practical work-
ing of these mechanisms, and to make some ob-
servations looking to their correction.
One of the most frequent and irritating troubles
that occur in the working of the grand action is
to be found at the roller or knuckle that is fast-
ened to the under surface of the hammer shank,
and which engages with the jack and repe-
tition lever for the purpose of lifting the
hammer. It is obvious that the proper move-
ment of the hammer depends largely upon the
precise manner in which the roller engages with
the jack and lever. Consequently we can see
at once that any alteration of the circular shape
of the roller, caused by wear or age, must have
an immediate effect upon the repeating qualities
of the action. Now, all experienced tuners and
repairers are familiar with the fact that the
shape of these rollers or knuckles is not con-
tinuously maintained under the stress and strain
of playing. The continual scraping of the jack
against the under surface of the roller tends to
flatten out the operating surface at the points
of engagement and thus in time causes failure
of the hammer attack and loss of repetition.
It is certain, of course, that no possible method
of engagement would entirely protect the mechan-
ism from the stress and strain of continual use,
but it is an open question whether the circular
roller is not peculiarly liable to the kind of de-
rangement just described. For the maintenance
of its true proportions is essential to the proper
working of all the parts; while on the other hand
it is not difficult to understand that a true cir-
cular shape cannot be forever preserved under
the attacks of the jack. If the roller were super-
seded by a true knuckle as in the upright action,
having a bearing point in the shape of a re-en-
trant angle in place of the circular operating
face, the worst of the difficulties would undoubt-
edly be removed. This would, of course, im-
ply the rearrangement of the hammer-butt and
hammer shank.
Such a rearrangement would not necessarily
be more costly or difficult, when once attained,
than the device that is now universally employed
and that we have here been analyzing. It would
require a modified form of hammer-butt, more
closely approximating to the shape of the same
device in the upright, and a shortened shank.
There does not seem to be any question that such
a form of operating-face, giving a re-entrant
angular point of engagement, would be more dur-
able and reliable than the favorite circular roller.
Although, as we have already had occasion to
say, the original form of Erard action has been
modified and made more simple by such invent-
ors as Herz and the Steinways, there seem to be
certain features of the pure Erard model that
might with propriety have been retained. For
example, it will not be denied that the present
system of effecting the check has several disad-
vantages more or less grave. Perhaps the most
conspicuous of these disadvantages lies in the fact
that a single key is as difficult to remove as to
take the whole of them from the key-frame. In
both cases it is necessary to unscrew the action
frame and lift off the complete action. This ex-
tra labor and inconvenience would not occur
were it possible to dispose the check in such a
manner as to render it incapable of preventing
the removal of a single key, by itself and with-
out the necessity of taking off the action first.
A way out of the difficulty has been devised
in the shape of a compensating lever, attached to
the hammer shank on the side remote from the
hammer head, and being, in fact, a continuation
of the hammer shank beyond the butt and center
pin. This balancing or compensating lever re-
duces the amount of force that is required to
operate the hammers, and the weight of each
can, of course, be so graduated by means of lead-
ing or otherwise as to effect a gradually increas-
ing compensation for the simultaneously grow-
ing weight of the hammers.
Such a device has already been invented and
put upon the market by more than one house, and
it seems a pity that it is not more generally
We had occasion 1o remark last week that the
original Erard system of effecting the check pos- used. However, the conservatism of manufac-
sessed considerable disadvantages in itself. It is turers in these matters is traditional, and al-
not intended here to retract that opinion, nor do though we may regret we cannot often do more.
we desire to recommend a return to that form.
This very conservatism, excellent quality
On the contrary, it is easy to see that the com- though it be, can sometimes be overdone. For
plex Erard system makes the interior of the
example, is there any good reason why the but-
action altogether too crowded. The suggestion
tons that control the let-off of the jack should
here made, however, is that the portion of the be so hidden that it is almost impossible to reach
key in which the back check is sunk might profit- them for the purpose of regulating without re-
ably be made removable. There is no reason why
moving the action from the pianoforte? At least,
this should not be done, except that it has never
it seems that the heads of the screw that are en-
yet been done. We believe that the idea is worthy gaged with the regulating tool might be placed so
of trial.
that they could be got at without all the tiresome
pulling out and pushing back of the action that
is now necessary. Certainly the work of adjust-
The part played by the springs in effecting the
ing the let-off of the hammer could be more ac-
repetition cannot be overestimated. Upon them
rests the responsibility of governing the move- curately performed within the pianoforte than
ments of the escapement lever, and conse- on a bench. The inside dimensions of each indi-
quently of effecting the repetition of the hammer. vidual instrument always differ a little and this
We can see, therefore, that the design and con- small difference is often enough to upset the cal-
struction of these springs is a matter of the culations of the regulator, who at. present has to
greatest importance to the proper working of the depend upon an adjustable frame set to the height
of the strings above the keybed and laid upon
action. Now, there are two distinct types of
the work-bench over the action, which has been
spring construction at present in use. One of
these uses one single length of spring wire suit- removed. The reform suggested is not revolu-
tionary but it certainly is useful.
ably bent and having two separate points of
action; one against the jack and the other
against the repetition lever. The two separate
And here it might properly be pointed out that
bearing points have, of course, a common ful- the makers and designers of actions seem often
crum, and are governed by a common screw. to have neglected a most important point in the
Both the screw and the fulcrum are situated production and adjustment of their mechanisms.
within the wippen.
They have failed to remember that the subse-
quent fortunes of their product, after the instru-
ment is sold, are entirely in the hands of the
In the other system there are two separate and
distinct lengths of spring wire, having two ful- traveling or outside tuner and repairer, at least
crum points and two governing screws. Both sys- in most cases. These individuals, though insig-
tems possess advantages of their own as well as nificant perhaps when taken singly, are a formid-
able aggregate, and there can be no doubt that
equal disadvantages. The first has the merit of
simplicity, as it reduces the number of working their good will is a valuable asset. It seems that
points within the already overburdened wippen. this highly important adjunct to the happiness
The other, however, has the advantage of not be- of pianoforte makers and owners might be large-
ing so easily susceptible to damage. With the ly conserved if the action makers were more
one-spring system the whole mechanism will careful to remember that accessibility and ease
be thrown out of order if anything happens of regulation, outside of the factory, will do much
to one of the operating portions; whereas, the to produce not only better workmanship from
other, though less simple, is not liable to the dis- the outside tuners, but also better feelings to-
advantage spoken of. While it is not easy to ward the particular mechanism that is so con-
make a choice of the two, we are inclined to structed.
think that the two-spring method is better, and
Iherefor recommend it.
Of course, it might be said with equal justice
that the whole matter of action regulating and
There is another point that should be ob- adjustment is as much, if not more, the concern
served with regard to the repetition and jack of the pianoforte manufacturer. Nevertheless,
springs. It is common to all systems and has there is no question that the foundation work
reference to the force to be exercised by them. rests entirely xipon the action maker, as far as
It will be readily observed that the weight of
the regulation of the action is concerned. We
the hammers in all pianofortes continually in- may therefore properly appeal to them first in
creases as the scale descends. It becomes cer- these matters.
tain, therefore, that the strength of the springs
must be progressively increased as the scale des-
Next week we propose to take up the subject
cends and the hammers become heavier. But it of keys and keyboards. Communications for the
is equally certain that the task of securing this department should be addressed to the Editor,
progressive strengthening is by no means easy. Technical Department, The Music Trade Review.
While it is possible to obtain a certain gradation
of strength by skilful bending of the springs, this
NAHTJM STETSON AT PALM BEACH.
method is bound by very close limitations and
is by no means sufficient for all requirements.
Nahum Stetson, secretary of Steinway & Sons,
The alternative is to increase the weight and
is now enjoying his regular winter holiday a t
stiffness O£ the wires. But again we find that
Palm Beach, Fla. He left on Tuesday last and
this method is far from ideal. The increased is due to return about April 1st, Mr. Stetson has
stiffness provides, indeed, greater strength, but the best of wishes for a pleasant sojourn and a
it also retards the facility of finger-work in play- thorough recuperation of his health.