Pianos are beautiful and complex instruments that produce an incredible range of sounds. But have you ever wondered what’s going on inside a piano when you play it? In this blog post, we’re going to explore the anatomy of a piano, from its keys to its hammers and everything in between.
The Keyboard
At the heart of a piano is the keyboard, which consists of 88 keys arranged in a specific pattern. When you press down on a key, it triggers a series of events that ultimately produces a sound. Each key is connected to a hammer via a complex mechanism that allows the hammer to strike the strings inside the piano.
The Action
The action is the mechanism that connects the keys to the hammers. It’s made up of many different parts, including the keys themselves, which are attached to wooden levers called wippens. The wippens are in turn connected to the hammers via a series of springs and felt-covered wooden parts.
The action is responsible for translating the force of your fingers on the keys into the force that’s needed to strike the strings. When you press a key down, it lifts the wippen, which in turn lifts the hammer. The hammer then strikes the strings, producing a sound.
The Strings
The strings are what actually produce the sound in a piano. There are three strings for each note, except for the lowest notes, which only have one or two strings. The strings are made of high-tensile steel wire and are attached at both ends to the piano’s frame.
When the hammer strikes the strings, they vibrate, producing sound waves that travel through the air and reach our ears. The pitch of the sound is determined by the length, thickness, and tension of the strings. The longer and thicker the string, the lower the pitch; the shorter and thinner the string, the higher the pitch.
The Soundboard
The soundboard is a large, thin piece of wood that amplifies the sound produced by the strings. It’s located directly beneath the strings and extends the full length of the piano. When the strings vibrate, they cause the soundboard to vibrate as well, which in turn produces a louder, fuller sound.
So there you have it – the anatomy of a piano! Pianos are incredibly complex instruments that require a delicate balance of components to produce the beautiful sounds we all love. From the keys to the hammers to the strings and soundboard, every part of a piano plays an essential role in producing its unique sound. Whether you’re a musician or simply an admirer of the piano, understanding its anatomy can deepen your appreciation for this remarkable instrument.
How Much a Grand Piano Weighs?
Grand pianos are designed with a variety of features that make them so prized among musicians—of course, with all those features, comes the need for an instrument big enough to house them all!
A question that customers keep asking us is: How much a Grand Piano Weigh?
Now, we will be exploring the weight breakdowns for some of the most common kinds of grand pianos
(as well as a few reasons why opting for a professional move might save you time, money, and sore muscles!). Take a look.
How the grand piano earned its name
The Oxford Dictionary defines something “grand” as “denoting the largest or most important item of its kind.” When it comes to the prized grand piano, this description is more than fitting! Concert grand pianos can reach more than 1,000 pounds (that’s half a ton, or a quarter of the weight of your car!). “Parlor” or living room grands are slightly smaller, but still weigh in at more than 600 or 700 pounds. When it comes to your baby grand piano—the smallest of the family—you’re still dealing with a sizable instrument that can weigh more than 500 pounds.
Your grand piano might just be the biggest piece of “furniture” in your home. Even enormous, high-tech refrigerators will rarely climb past 300 or so pounds. Today’s smart, flat-screen TVs are large but thin and light—with most weighing below 50 pounds—while your three-seater sofa will typically weigh below 300. Your grand piano is built with quality—not portability—in mind, so it takes careful equipment to move it safely.
Of course, the shape of a grand piano also adds to its difficulty in moving. With a large soundboard that extends far beyond the playing area, your instrument is asymmetrical and, as a result, tough to balance between two, three, or even four inexperienced movers on their own.
Different types and qualities of wood can also impact the weight of your piano. And, it all depends on the brand. For instance, some brands, such as Bösendorfer or Fazioli, or some older pianos, can sometimes be heavier than a standard Steinway. As you can see, there are many factors that affect the weight of your piano.
The effects of heavy lifting
We all know the basic moving rules—lift with your legs, not with your back—but even these smart tips can’t always help you move something as large as the grand piano. Moving can be tricky enough, so don’t worry about taking a toll on your muscles during the process. Our equipment can help handle even the heaviest of grands, so that you can focus on the other elements of your big move.
Let Miami Piano Movers do the heavy lifting! We have the tools and expertise needed to get your grand piano—no matter how heavy—to your next destination.
How to Select the Perfect Piano
Perhaps you used to play piano as a kid, but life put that hobby on hold. Or maybe you’re just getting started with the instrument, regardless of your age.
Whatever your unique situation, the fact remains that playing piano is a timeless joy. In fact, some health experts say practicing and performing music can actually improve mood and help you live longer. What better reason to start playing, or pick up where you left off?
Of course, the first step is finding a piano to play. But not just any instrument will do. Instead, it’s best to find the right piano for your specific desires and requirements. Here’s how to get started:
Know Your Budget
As with any purchase, pianos come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and price tags. From inexpensive to luxury prized possessions, the first step in finding the right piano for you is to assess how much you’re willing to spend.
For instance, casual players might be content with a solid and functional piano that fits their basic needs. However, if you play professionally (or are looking to start), it might be wise to invest in a larger and more exquisite instrument that can help you secure performance events.
Regardless of price, it’s important to select a piano in good working order. Instruments in need of excessive repairs and tuning will quickly add unnecessary cost to your purchase.
Consider Space
Pianos range in size from a grand piano to a parlor player and everything in between. Along with budgetary requirements, the amount of space you’re able or willing to commit to a piano will determine the type of instrument you’ll decide on.
Some players have opted to forego large furniture or other décor in their homes, in order to fit their pianos into certain rooms. Whatever your choice and space limitations, don’t let logistics get in the way of fully enjoying the instrument.
While you might be wondering how to move a piano, the fact is that there are many safe, convenient, and affordable methods. That includes partnering with a trusted and dependable piano moving company.
Evaluate Your Playing Style
As mentioned, it’s wise to first determine how and when you’ll use your piano. Consider that the soundboard and length of strings are integral factors in the overall sound the instrument can produce.
That means a grand piano produces greater volume and resonance than a smaller instrument. Still, these pianos are typically used to play classical music. If you’ll be playing mostly jazz, pop, or another genre, you may want to see another style.
Also, consider that smaller pianos have fewer keys. This could be important, depending on your desired octave range and other factors. On the other hand, children and beginner piano players might benefit from (and be less intimidated by) pianos with fewer keys.
Assess All Options
In the end, the “perfect” piano is the one that’s best for you. That stated, and whatever your specific situation, it’s important not to let price or any other factor get in the way of accomplishing your musical goals.
Some folks own a piano that’s currently stored in another locale. That’s when using a piano delivery service makes sense. In the last 20 years, we’ve helped countless people across the country safely and efficiently move their pianos. Fully licensed and insured, our trucks are specifically-engineered for transporting these majestic instruments.
In addition, our climate-controlled and security-monitored warehouses ensure your piano is protected and secure at all times. That’s partly why we’re known as the most reliable and reputable Florida piano movers. We ship and pick up from anywhere in the contiguous United States. International shipments can also be arranged.
Contact us today to learn more about how convenient, affordable, and safe it is to transport your piano with Miami Piano Movers.
How to Choose the Best Piano for New Players
Learning to play the piano is an exciting and challenging journey. While many new players begin taking lessons outside the home, they still need a piano of their own so they can practice. For those new to the piano world, it can be difficult to know how to select the right option.
There are a lot of decisions to make, from the model and the price point to which piano moving company you choose. Here are a few tips for choosing the best piano for new players.
Consider a Used Piano
New piano players are often tempted to purchase a brand-new piano, but that often isn’t necessary. Even under average conditions, a piano can last 50 years. Consider purchasing a used piano from a former player or a family who no longer needs it. You can have the piano inspected to make sure of your purchase before taking it home. Investing in a used piano is often less expensive and it will work just as well as a brand-new model.
Decide on Keys
When choosing a piano for a new player, know how many keys you are looking for. While standard pianos have 88 keys, digital pianos and keyboards can also come with 72 or 66 keys.
While a lot of music can be played on any keyboard, some music requires all 88 keys — particularly classical music. If you are a new piano player and not interested in classical play, you’ll likely be just fine with 66 keys.
Consider the Future
When you are new to playing the piano, it can be difficult to determine right away what your piano future will look like. But this is an important consideration when purchasing a new piano.
If you are an adult who wants to play casually, there’s no need to invest in an expensive, classic keyboard.
However, if you are purchasing for a new young player who plans on taking lessons for years, more of an investment may be warranted. Remember, you can always start out with an affordable option and upgrade down the road.
Consult an Expert
When choosing a piano, the best thing you can do is take your time and consult the help of an expert. Most piano stores will have staff who are knowledgeable and more than happy to help you with a recommendation.
Piano experts have years of experience that they can leverage to help you determine what works best for you. They will usually let you try out various models. If you are new to piano, there’s no replacement for the recommendation of an expert.
After Your Purchase, Hire a Piano Moving Company
With the excitement of a new piano, it can be easy to overlook the details, like moving the piano to its new location. Miami Piano Movers are your best bet to ensure your new purchase gets to its destination unharmed.
The last thing you want is to spend time selecting a piano that’s right for you only to have it damaged during the move. Don’t take any chances with your new piano — hire a piano moving company.