Grand piano

The grand piano is a Piano with horizontal cords.

The grand piano is the original type of the piano, derived from the Clavecin.

additional detail: the harpsichord being a string instrument struck and not struck like the piano, the piano would be rather a derivative of the tympanon or cymbalum which them even is struck.

Constitution

It is made up;

of a keyboard, generally with 88 keys (7 octaves 1/4), provided with a lid;
of a stopping, structure in beams;
of a sounding board, put in vibration by the cords via rests;
of cords: 1 per note in the low registers, 2 in the intermediate notes, 3 in the acute ones. The cords the acute ones are naked, the low register cords are spun;
of a metal framework above the sounding board (on the modern pianos);
of a belt, formwork surrounding the sounding board;
of an opening lid with 45°;
of a mechanics of percussion;
of pedals;
of a desk.

Dimensions

Dimensions of the grand piano are not standardized. Let us quote:

the concert grand, being able to exceed 3 meters;
the boudoir grand piano, of approximately 2 meters;
the quarter of tail, approximately 1,70 meter;
the clamping plate, with very short tail.

Originalities of the grand piano

the grand piano is of very careful manufacture. The famous brands manufacture and assemble the majority of the parts to the hand, grind them, select them, regulate them several times, etc
the modern grand piano always comprises a Mécanique repetition.
the modern grand piano generally comprises a tonal pedal, making it possible to preserve played the notes played before the depression of the pedal, but not those played afterwards.
the soft pedal functions by side displacement of the keyboard and mechanics, making it possible to strike less cords for each note, or to carry out the percussion on less hard part of the hammer.
exceptional Pianos: all the piano makers carry out exceptional pianos ( artcase ) some are only decorations or spectacular modifications of existing (worked feet, marquetry, painting) of others are radical modifications like Pegasus de Schimmel or Mr. Liminal drawn by NYT Line and manufactured by Fazioli. It is possible to listen to this piano here.

Various types of manufacture

Crossing of the cords

In order to move away the cords from the edge of the sounding board, the cords, parallel at the origin, became cross. One even saw rare models having three plans of crossing of cords.

additional detail: basically the crossing of the cords was used to lengthen their length and to avoid instruments oversize.

Position of the tail

The tail is almost always on the left, but some very rare models were manufactured with the tail on the right (strongly cross cords in order to shorten the instrument).

Many keys

Certains Bösendorfer has some additional notes in the extreme low register. These keys are very of black color.

Many cords

Certain models had 4 cords per note in the acute ones, others had a not struck and not choked additional cord, in order to enrich the harmonics (or to create an awkward hubbub according to the tastes).

Random links: