The Origins of Tone: An Abridged History of the Piano Sound

I remember the specific day that it struck home to me how personal and personalized musical instruments have always been. The year was 2016, and I was visiting Germany on an internship through my university. Surrounded by about 70 different kinds of horn instruments, I pondered how ordinary people who also tilled fields, hunted for sustenance, or engaged in early trades, also built musical instruments that fit their lifestyles and their music. A carpenter might make early harps or violins, a farmer carve reed pipes or hollow out rams horns, a blacksmith might also make bells or drums. In archeological sites across the whole world we find musical instruments made of the most readily available materials, whether of reed or bone, brass or wood(1). The whole of human history has truly been full of music.

The piano is a relatively modern invention (around the year 1700) and as an instrument too large to be strictly portable, and too demanding in its construction to be easily accessible by those of ordinary means, was more a toy of the elite than a means of expression for the masses. However, even at that early point in time, keyed instruments were already becoming more widely accessible in the form of the clavichord (2).

More Info :  Gerst Piano Tuning in St. Louis, MO

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Ty Uphoff Piano Tuning is now Vanguard Piano Service

Ty Uphoff Piano Tuning has transitioned from Ty’s solo career to include his talented team of piano technicians serving the Greater Saint Louis and Kansas City Areas. In July 2019, Ty launched Vanguard Piano Service to better meet the needs of our expanding community of piano musicians. The Vanguard Piano Service team embodies professionalism, passion for continued education in piano technology, and a love for making pianos sound and play beautifully. If you were working with Ty prior to 2019, he is happy to continue servicing your piano. However, you will now have the option to work with our other professional piano technicians as well.  More Info : Trained Piano Tuner 
Read more

Piano Tuning in Edwardsville, IL: Why It Matters and How to Choose the Right Service

If you own a piano in Edwardsville, IL, regular tuning is essential to maintain its sound quality and longevity. Whether you’re a professional musician, a student, or someone who enjoys playing for leisure, keeping your piano in tune ensures an enjoyable playing experience and protects your investment. This blog will guide you through the importance of piano tuning, what to expect during a service, and how to find the best piano tuner in Edwardsville, IL. Why Piano Tuning is Important Pianos are intricate instruments with over 200 strings stretched across a wooden frame. Over time, factors like humidity, temperature changes, and regular use can cause the strings to lose tension, leading to a less harmonious sound. Regular tuning ensures: Optimal Sound Quality : A well-tuned piano produces rich and balanced tones, enhancing your playing experience. Instrument Longevity : Proper tuning helps prevent long-term damage to the piano’s internal components, such as the soundboard and strings. ...
Read more

Understanding Humidity Changes and Your Piano | Vanguard Piano Service

Image
  As a piano technician, one of the frequent questions I get from piano owners is about how to take care of the piano better.  There are several ways to do so and today I would like to specifically talk about how humidity affects the piano.  Materials we can find in the piano consist of metal, felt, wool and wood.  Changes in the humidity can affect all of these things that is why it is important to keep the piano in a controlled environment. With the changes in humidity, there are several ways the piano might be impacted. The most immediate change people notice is in the pitch of the piano.  Sometimes you may notice the keys feel weird when they feel heavy to the touch or sometimes stick down in high humidity, other times you may notice there are rattles or clicks when the keys are played with low humidity. Permanent damage may be caused when the piano goes through extreme humidity changes where parts swell and shrink rapidly, this may cause wooden parts to hav...
Read more