Miscellaneous

Piano lesson

Don't worry, it won't be a proper piano lesson. Because I only listen to music, not write or teach it. But because it's a musical instrument made of wood, I know a little something about it, and I thought I'd share it with you. And to start off with a bang, did you know that the piano is one of the most complicated instruments? It has over 2500 parts.

Venetian Bartolomeo di Francesco Cristofori invented the piano in 1709

The piano is a stringed instrument that was invented in 1709 by Bartolomeo di Francesco Cristofori, from Padua in the Venetian Republic. He was a harpsichord maker, an instrument considered the ancestor of the piano. The name Cristofori gave the new instrument was gravicembalo with piano and forte the harpsichord with piano and forte. Unlike the harpsichord, the new instrument could increase or decrease the intensity of the sound, depending on the pressure applied to the keys. Being long and cumbersome, the name shortened over time to piano and forte - piano, finally reaching the piano - piano.

Like many of the inventors and artists of the time, Cristofori did not receive recognition during his lifetime. He moved from Padua to Florence in 1690 at the behest of Prince Ferdinando di Medici, who entrusted him with his harpsichords. After his death, Cristofori remained in Florence to look after the late prince's collection of instruments. The collection contained 84 instruments of which 7 were made by Cristofori. By 1726 he had improved the instrument bringing it very close to what it is today. The first pianos built by Cristofori are today in Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York and the Musical Instrument Museums in Rome and Leipzig.

Over the years, the piano has been continuously improved and furniture makers have been striving to make the most beautiful models. The first major manufacturer was Steinway, a German emigrant to America. He and his sons founded the company Steinway&Sons, which has become world famous.

pian Cristofori Art Museum NY photo source: lieveverbeeck.eu
pian Cristofori Museum of Art NY | photo source: lieveverbeeck.eu

 

Maple, spruce and many coats of finish

The piano is made of the finest materials, not just for the look, but especially for the sound. The body, where the sound box is, is made of long maple veneers that are glued, bent on special molds and reinforced with spruce wood. The frame is made of 22 veneer sheets 7.5 m long. The adhesive is applied to the veneer sheets using special machines. After gluing, it is placed in the mold to take the desired shape and finally reinforced with spruce elements. Wood bending is done in the same method as when Steinway started the company.

To become a piano, the resulting box must finishedThe finishing process is very laborious. The wood is polished very well in whiteafter which it is bleached. Then it is colored and several coats of primer are applied, with sanding between them. Glazes are applied between coats to antiquing and even out the color. Finally, two coats of varnish are applied. After applying all the materials, it is left for 21 days to dry. Then, in order to achieve that pianospecific shine, it is polished by hand. Find out more about making pianos here.

Apart from Stenway&Sons, which is the biggest piano company, there are other famous companies. Famous pianos make Baldwin - in America, Yamaha - in Japan, Bosendorfer - in Austria, Fazioli - in Italy.

piano cover in factory photo source: whattodowhenyour-bored.com
factory piano cover
photo source: whattodowhenyour-bored.com
photo source: everythingaboutdesign.com

 

Melodies played on piano solo or with orchestra delight us, whether classical or modern. And because you have had the patience to get this far, I reward you with a beautiful piano version of Let her Go.

About the author

Mihaela Radu

Mihaela Radu is a chemical engineer but has a great passion for wood. She has been working in the field for more than 20 years, wood finishing being what defined her during this period. She gained experience working in a research institute, in her own company, as well as in a multinational. She wants to continuously share her experience with those who have the same passion - and more.

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