Clavier comes up trumps

[ted]

I have been without my piano for five weeks while the action is being completely rebuilt. Consequently I have used the practice clavier daily in the hope that physical matters would not get too rusty, even to the extent of playing complete pieces on it (slowly) at around six ounces, which I normally never do.

Yesterday I had to attend a function involving a group of very old friends and, as there was a grand in the restaurant, I could not politely refuse to play. I was scared stiff. Wow ! Nobody can ever convince me that these devices are not good for my technique. I started cold but felt not the slightest strain or physical imbalance and I found I could just let the ideas flow without worrying about missing something. A big relief all round.