I have a question for all the piano lovers out there: Do you know that there are so many things to explore about the piano? How important every part is? If you do know, then fantastic, and if you didn’t, then you will know about every part by the end of the article. Let’s take a tour and explore the piano parts and the importance of each.
There are two types of pianos:
- Grand Piano
- Upright Piano
The Strings and frame in a grand piano are horizontal. The most considered sizes of the grand piano are Concert Grand, Polar Grand or Boudoir Grand and the smallest one, the Baby Grand.
Components Of A Grand Piano
Cover
The cover of grand piano works like the wall between the wooden surface of the piano and its surrounding. And it also protects the piano from scratches or any kind of physical damage.
Bass Bridge
The bass bridge works the same as a road bridge. A road bridge connects two roads and a bass bridge connects the strings to the soundboard using a short bridge.
Cast Iron Plate
The cast iron plate helps reduce the tension created by hundreds of piano strings. You will find the cast iron plate above the soundboard.
Sound Board
In simple terms, the soundboard transforms the vibration produced by the strings into audible waves.
Treble Bridge
The treble bridge in a grand piano works the same as the bass bridge, but it passes over through the long bridge.
Tuning Pins
Tuning pins are structured the way they are so that they can hold enough tension needed for the strings to create the proper pitch.
Leg
As you know, the leg allows the piano to stand on it.
Wheels
The wheels are there to move the piano wherever you want.
Hammer
Hammers are attached to keys. Each key has its own hammer. So when you press any key, the attached hammer creates tension on the string, allowing the strings to vibrate and make the sound of a specific note.
Keyboard
The keyboard combination of white and black keys is the outer layer of the attached hammer and strings, which are used to produce sound.
Action Frame
The action frame in a grand piano keeps up securely with other parts of the piano so that they can work properly with each other.
Pins
Pins hold on to the strings and a set of pins are known as a pin block. Part of the grand piano pin block is also known as the wrest plank.
Dampers
The pieces of the wood that are situated above the strings are known as dampers. Dampers are used for ending notes.
Bass Strings
The part of a grand piano that is used to slow down the vibration of wires is known as the bass strings. Bass strings are made up of a steel core.
Treble Strings
Treble strings are a wire that lies around at a tuning pin and hitch pin.
These are some important grand piano parts that work together to play the awesome music you want to hear. Now let’s discuss the upright piano and the importance of the upright piano’s parts.
Components Of A Upright Piano
The upright piano is the vertical one, meaning it works vertically. Upright pianos are more economical than the grand piano. The pianos you find at churches, community centers, schools, music conservatories, and university music programs as rehearsal and practice instruments are mostly upright pianos.
Tuning Pins
Tuning pins lie behind the iron plate. Tuning pins are attached to the pin block. This entire structure holds enough pressure the strings need to create pitch.
Pin Block
The pin block is a collection of tuning pins, which are attached to strings to play a pitch.
String
In an upright piano, strings are used to reset each note while playing, which produces the sound. Strings are being hit horizontally in an upright piano.
Keybed
The keybed is the most important part of an upright piano. Keys and actions are attached to the keybed.
Metal Frame
The metal frame is there to sustain the massive tension created by the strings. The metal frame is also known as the harp.
Soundboard
The soundboard is a layer of construction that works as soundproof walls, which helps reduce the transmission of sound.
Bass Bridge
The bass bridge is used to connect the source of the sound to the amplifier of the sound. The strings attached to the bass bridge have to be long enough to create tension for the pitch.
Hitch Pins
Hitch pins are used to increase or decrease the tension on the string. You can rotate the hitch pins. These can be used for tuning.
Damper Pedal
The damper pedal is used in the piano to raise the dampers, which allows them to keep vibrating even after the release of the key. The damper pedal also creates a rich tonal quality by making every string of the piano a sympathetic string.
The Sostenuto Pedal
Sostenuto is an Italian word that means ‘to sustain’. It works almost the same as the damper pedal. It may be missing in some pianos.
Soft Pedal
A soft pedal in an upright piano is usually used to produce the mellower tone. Let me explain how it works. Basically, when you hold on to the soft pedal, it helps the hammer move in such a way that it won’t knock the strings in the middle of the hammers, which eventually generates the mellower tone.
Treble Bridge
The upright piano part that instructs the strings on the vibration process is known as the treble bridge. The treble bridge is a long wooden rail that runs on the soundboard.
Treble String
Treble strings are wires that lie around at a tuning pin and hitch pin.
Pedal Rod
The pedal rod is used to control the sound, whether we want the sound softer or longer. The pedal rod in an upright piano is being controlled by feet.
Keyboard
In an upright piano, the keyboard works just the same as in a grand piano. It also contains white and black keys on the outer level, and the attached hammer and strings are used to produce sound.
Hammer Rail
The hammer rail is the place inside the piano where you can find hammers.
Body
The wooden body, also known as the case, protects the piano from physical damage. It covers the piano.
Muffler Felt
The muffler felt is used to create a muffling effect in an upright piano. It lies between the hammers and strings. The muffler felt is cloth.
Pressure-bar
The upright piano part that preserves the string against the v-bar is known as a pressure bar. It also prevents the strings from moving sideways.
Conclusion
These are some parts of the upright piano and their importance. Now you have all you wanted to know about pianos. So, what are you waiting for? Now, you are ready to go and buy your favorite kind of piano!
