Dick Martz wrote: >Out of pointless curiosity - are there any pianos strung backwards for any >physiological or other reason?
The reply did suggest a piano had been made this way. The original was made as an old forte piano would have been - without a frame, as the cost was far less than having a pattern made, frame cast etc. Since then, Blüthners have made a grand piano which is treble in the left, bass in the right - a piano with a cast-iron frame. The first one was built by a left-handed player (presumably he was a south paw..) who though it would be easier for LH players to 'have the tune in their dominant hand' i.e. the left. Fine - until you take that player ANYWHERE else and he realises there are no more than the one he owns in the world.. He taught a young student of his to play this piano in a couple of weeks. I have a piano in my garage which is an Eavestaff, where the wrest (tuning) pins are under the keyboard and the panel in front of the player's legs is actually the soundboard, not a decorative piece as per usual. This is because the piano has a 'backwards' cast frame and the hammers actually strike towards the front of the piano as you sit at the keyboard. so viewed from the rear, the piano appears left-handed. Since these particular instruments are a tuners' nightmare, I bought it to remove it from circulation and considered turning the keyboard round to make a left-handed piano - but got bored with the idea, had no time and then this other guy did it already. So if anyone wants to try, buy this wacky piano from me! I'm in North England and am also a proud owner of a compensating F/Bb righ-handed horn (which can be viewed on Dick's website). The horn isn't for sale. Regards, Paul Fox Sheffield _______________________________________________ post: [EMAIL PROTECTED] set your options at http://music.memphis.edu/mailman/options/horn/archive%40jab.org
