Der Reproducing Fluegel
By Craig Brougher
Craig Brougher seems exasperated with the discussion of alternative schemes to control loudness and/or expression, as implied in this note which preceded the fine technical articles he sent today:
> Date: Fri, 30 Aug 96 14:15:33 UT
> From: "Craig Brougher" <craig_brougher@msn.com>
> To: "Automatic Music Mailing List" <rolls@foxtail.com>
> Subject: Latest Duo-Art Modification
> After reading the latest and greatest way to modify a reproducer for
> soft playing with expression (forget the fact that all Duo-Arts have
> a "Soft" position), why not go whole hog and just tear out the
> expression box underneath, because you won't need it anymore. Here is
> the latest device:
> Bore a 1" hole through the plate, the soundboard, etc. in line with
> the lid prop cup. You mount a giant multi-leaved hinged pneumatic
> under the piano and attach your new (extra-long) lid prop to that. Get
> some really big valves. As the roll calls for expression, the lid
> flies up and down accordingly ... [and] the player flies off the floor
> like a big one-winged bat.
This is a pretty humourous vision, actually; I've heard stories about the "musical sculptures" at the House on the Rock museum -- Craig's invention would in a natural setting there!
Incidentally, the German term for the concert grand piano with the big raised lid is "der Fluegel" -- literally, "the wing". And, naturally, the Reproducing Fluegel would perform the overture to "Die Fledermaus (The Bat)"!
Robbie Rhodes, Relief Editor
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