How Does a Piano Work?

1. How many parts does a piano have?

Over 12000 parts

1. What are some materials that the piano is made of?

Felt, cloth, leather, all different kinds of wood

1. Who invented the piano? In what year?

Bartolomeo cristofori in 1700

1. The harpsichord was a keyboard instrument that plucked strings, pianos don’t pluck the strings they do what? How can you make the volume softer or louder?

Throws a hammer onto the strings. By throwing the hammer faster or slower

1. Why is it called the “Pianoforte”? What does it mean?

Throwing the hammer faster or slower giving you a softer or louder sound

1. How may piano keys are on a piano?

88

1. What are piano keys made of?

Spruce

1. What is the biggest reason for “sticky keys”?

People dropping things between them

1. What are the 3 main parts of the piano action?

Hammer, wippen, and key assembly

1. What are the parts of the hammer?

Core felt, shank, roller, and flange

1. What are strings made of?

High carbon steel

1. What is the piano on the right? What does it do?

Damper pedal. Allow the notes to be held on and they ring on

1. What does the left pedal do?

Shifts the whole action to one side so you hit 2 strings instead of three

1. The middle pedal called the sostenuto pedal does what?

Hold notes up only on the ones which have been pressed immediately before pressing the pedal

1. What are the pros of a concert piano rather than an upright piano or keyboard?

Works off gravity and the action is very efficient. Repeats 2 ½ times faster than most uprights