Design and tone in the mechanoacoustic piano. Part I. Piano hammers and tonal effects

Relations between the design of a piano and the quality of its tone are reviewed and discussed from the point of view of an instrument designer. Topics include the effects on tone by the hammers, the voicing, the soundboard, the case, the string plate, and the design of the scale and strings, including longitudinal string modes, wrapped strings, and inharmonicity. Design limitations relating to materials, performance, or tone quality are noted. The effect of varying a parameter is described or illustrated graphically when feasible. Data comparing pianos of various size and design are shown. Examples are shown of the use of mobility measurements in assessing soundboard and string plate performance. The potential value of modal and finite element analysis in design work is noted. Although the piano is regarded by many people as fully developed, the author believes that there has never been a better time for improvement. Some directions for future work are indicated.