PTM 2018 Episode 7

David Stanwood presents Stanwood Snap​

THE NEW WORLD MODEL FOR BALANCING GRAND PIANO ACTIONS

What's in the episode ?


Finally, a worthy and welcome approach that supersedes the unreliable old world model of setting key leads with down weights.

The most simple, comprehensive, and time saving system for creating reliably perfect touch with replacement hammers.

 

1. ELIMINATE THE DRAMA OF DEALING WITH KEY LEADS 

Stanwood's Coded Key Weighting™ scales use stock or customized key weighting specifications that give a whole new meaning to key balancing. Key leads are installed once and for all in each key with digital scale accuracy. Install them yourself or send the keys to a key balancing service provider.

 

2. ELIMINATE THE COMPUTER

Measuring down weight and up weight with sample hammer weights on just a few test notes determines the stock or customized Hammer Strike Weight scale that balances the whole action. The Stanwood SNAP!™ method automatically matches hammer weight and action ratio to create any desired dynamic inertial playing type. Stanwood SNAP!™ does not require the need for a computer. 

 

3. ELIMINATE UNNECESSARY WORK

The action is balanced to the desired level of accuracy by adding or subtracting hammer weight to make the Hammer Strike Weight Scale specifications with digital scale accuracy. Learn how to order hammers of the right weight level from suppliers for the least work.

BIOGRAPHY

David Stanwood

David C. Stanwood draws from a lifetime of experience in diversified fields including:
Machine tool making, felt making, artistic photography, professional sailing and rigging, and classical piano.  

His life work began in 1978 when he received his certificate from Piano Technology department of the North Bennet St. School in Boston under William E. Garlick.  At the School, the first question he asked was "if the action doesn't feel right what can I do to change it?"  The repeated lack of definitive answers to this question led him to research and develop methods for improving the feel of piano actions. A pivotal event in his career occurred in August of 1988, when Rudolf Serkin tested a Model D Steinway
fitted with a prototype "improved" action. Serkin was favorably impressed and encouraged Stanwood to keep on his path.

Guided by evaluations of his work by top pianists, Stanwood went on to invent the "New Touch Weight Metrology", a new system of units and measures that describes how each action part contributes to the feel of the action in terms of weight, leverage, and friction. His the discovery of  "The Equation of Balance"  opened up a whole new field of study and practice, that of "Piano Touchweight Technology", culminating in the creation of Precision Touch Designtm.

His work dramatically improves the quality of restored or rebuilt pianos and is
also used frequently to improve new pianos and makes possible the customization of pianos in a way that was never before possible.  Hundreds of concert pianos have been upgraded with Precision Touch Designtm.   His work also helps in the education of music students by improving the quality of practice pianos as well as performance pianos in Colleges and Universities, most notably the Cincinnati Conservatory of Music.
His work also continues to bring great benefits to pianists who suffer from injury or who are in a weakened state due to health issues.  Most notably he helped the world famous improvisation artist Keith Jarrett when he was suffering from Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

His long range goal is integration of his component balancing techniques with the manufacture and rebuilding of pianos worldwide and the improvement of pianos everywhere.   Another long range goal is to integrate touch weight metrology into the curriculum  of  piano technology schools across the globe.  

Stanwood volunteers a considerable amount of time to teaching in his profession. In October of 1990 he published "Factoring Friction with the Balance Weight System" in the PTG Journal.  In June of 1996 he published "The New Touchweight Metrology" in the PTG Journal followed by a series of articles in 2000 that layout a whole new science within the discipline of Piano Technology.   Stanwood is frequently asked to teach  classes and seminars to piano technicians across the continent and in Europe. 

His specialty also crosses over into public school programs were he has often been asked to teach young students how to understand algebra using the analogy of a piano key as a see saw and of an algebraic formula being equal when the see saw is balanced.  

On June 1, 2007 Stanwood was presented with the Distinguished Alumni Award from the North Bennet St. School for his contributions to the craft of piano technology. In 2009 he received the Crowl-Travis Member of Note Award from the Piano Technicians Guild.  In 2019 he was inducted into the Piano Technicians Guild Hall of Fame.   Click Here for the PTG Hall of Fame Book entry.

A Stellar reputation in the Piano Industry

"It's amazing what David has done with this piano. The uncanny thing about it is that I seem to be able to play all this stuff that I'm normally not able to play with quite as much facility. It just helps me to express the ideas that I'm thinking and they just come right out."

 

Woods Hole Massachusetts January 25, 2015  

 

Chickering Upright c 1896 with new soundboard, German Action, and Precision Touch Design by David Stanwood

Gordon Webster

Jazz Pianist

My hat is off to David—an authentic genius. I shall never forget my experience playing his Magical Mason & Hamlin grand. 

I had the feeling with the first keys I depressed, that all possible sounds were possible. It was as though the tone and 

exotic dynamic was preordained by a master hand. That hand was David Stanwood. He is a blessing to the noble art of music.

Seymour Bernstein

Pianist

More pianists and clients describe their Stanwood Precision Touch Design Experience

Gary Hadfield had his prized vintage Bechstein Concert grand rebuiltbut then it was worse than even before!

Gary Hadfield

John Callahan of Callahan Piano Service in Oakland California describes the effect that Precision TouchDesign has had on his business.

John Callahan

Owner of a 10 year old Fazioli realizes the connection between theaction and piano technique.

Garrett Glass

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