Parts Of A Piano

The Sound of Music

The Special Reports are an indispensible tool for any Russia watcher or researcher interested in taking a closer look at the pressing issues that affect the modern Russian society. The reports are a derivative of the print version of our monthly magazine that is no longer published on paper, but is available in various digital formats for the convenience of our readers. The second half of June will find 121 gifted young musicians from 24 countries—pianists, violinists, cellists and singers—vying for prizes at the 14th installment of the quadrennial International Tchaikovsky Competition. Until now, the Tchaikovsky Competition has taken place entirely in Moscow. But this year, for reasons that seem a bit suspect to some observers, it has been divided between Russia’s two principal cities, with Moscow retaining the piano and cello contests and St. Petersburg playing host to those for violin and voice. Most major music competitions, notably, the Chopin Piano Competition in Warsaw, the “Premio Paganini” Violin Competition in Genoa, the Rostropovich Cello Competition in Paris and the “Singer of the Year” Competition in Cardiff, Wales—are limited to a single discipline. A few, such as the Queen Elizabeth of Belgium Competition in Brussels and the Isang Yun Competition in Tongyeong, South Korea, cover multiple forms of musical performance, but, operating on an annual basis, confine themselves to just one discipline each year. Uniquely among the majors of the competition world, the Tchaikovsky holds simultaneous contests for three different categories of instrumentalists and for singers both male and female. The first Tchaikovsky Competition was held in April 1958 and drew worldwide attention thanks to the surprise victory in piano of a 23-year-old Texan named Van Cliburn. Before awarding Cliburn first prize, the jury felt required to seek permission from Soviet Leader Nikita Khrushchev. Told that Cliburn was definitely the best of the piano competitors, Khrushchev unhesitatingly responded: “Then give him the prize.” Overnight, the young pianist became a hero both in the Soviet Union and back home in America, where his return brought him a triumphant ticker-tape parade down New York City’s Broadway and a cover story in Time magazine. Cliburn has repeatedly visited Moscow during the intervening years and he is due to return again in June to serve as honorary chairman of the Tchaikovsky Competition piano jury.

How to find and buy the right piano: tips for what to consider ...

One piano does not fit all. You need to discover your own musical preferences before deciding on a piano. Be aware that many pianos of all prices can sound very different from an identical model. Therefore, you could be buying a lower quality example. Before agreeing payment ask to see the piano to test its characteristics prior.

Listen carefully to hear that each piano does have a slightly different tone. Test out different piano brands, styles, sizes, and ages to appreciate the different timbres, key weights, and levels of quality among them. Some are mellow, brilliant, loud or soft.  Each individual piano produces a different tone and unique sound regardless of style. Take into consideration the size, especially if your room is small. Size does matter (to some at least), and smaller pianos often lack depth, bass and dynamic range.

Don’t settle for the first piano available; give yourself enough time to view as many as possible (ideally a minimum of five pianos) before deciding on one, and never buy a piano without first having played and inspected it.

4. Ask about the quality of the parts The working section of the piano is called the action. There are about 7,500 parts, all playing a role in sending the hammers against the strings when keys are struck. Apart from the hammers these parts also include: Action, Soundboard, Strings, Frame and dictate the quality of touch and tone, and tuning stability. The mechanical longevity from a quality action and sustained tonal longevity from quality hammers, are invaluable. In terms of the action within different piano types:

* The grand piano ranges in size from under five feet to nine feet (a concert grand). The frame and strings are horizontal, with the strings extending away from the keyboard. Grand pianos all have a horizontal action, and upright pianos have a vertical action that can be above or below the keys. The action lies beneath the strings, and uses gravity as its means of return to a state of rest. A grand piano has a fast touch and is more responsive and powerful than an upright. The types range from the concert grand (between about 2.2 m and 3 m/9.84 feet long), the parlour grand or boudoir grand (about 1.7 m to 2.2 m) and the smaller baby grand (around 1.5 m). Grand pianos tend to have more prestige as they are associated with concerts and other live music performances compared with upright pianos. However, some larger professional-quality uprights can have equal or better tone quality than many small grands.

I flipped to the back of the book & realized all of the parts were still only right-handed. Ever seen a one-handed piano player? Ha!

The low maintenance and durability of these parts are a piano technicians dream.

starting to get a little excited about recording tonight. adding piano is my fave bit and i've got loads of parts to add. ^jc

You got plenty of parts so, what does your daughter get you? A new piano bench??? ha,ha

Stumbled on this. He sings all the parts and plays the piano, and added the video. A real labour of love. Respect.

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