Debouncing/Taming a Piezo

Using Arduino Sensors
1

I'm after a human input device that captures tapping your finger on a table. Not switchy/clicky (I wonder how the Roland electronic drum kit does it??)

Originally I thought capacitive switch like the old elevator buttons, but they're 14-40 bucks, so I opted for a $0.35 piezo element.

Here's the wave for a tap on the piezo element. Can exceed 20VDC with a good enough wack! Now I know why these things come encapsulated in plastic. How would you tame it from hard hits? Spazzy potentiometer readings are making me take a look at a more natural interface.

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Am I on the right track?

Thanks,
Carl