Your tone comes through better, and so do the beginnings of notes, the attacks, which are partly just the noises of hammers hitting strings. Attacks are powerful enough to define notes and help shape phrases, yet so short-lived that they don't make the sound louder. But when they're blunted by a closed lid, then we do play louder, attempting to maintain profile in our playing. This makes for a thick sound which may cover other players. Next, with piano silent, raise and lower the lid behind a solo instrument to hear how full stick helps the soloist, too.
Full stick is better for recording, too.
To persuade ensemble partners to let you use full stick, ask someone they trust to judge the sound. Be careful, because many people think full stick means loud. As Others Hear Us , has received the warmest comments and reviews. He intends to collect these columns in a second book sometime in the 3rd Millennium. Please address comments or questions to the moderated forum .