What is the piano’s mechanism and how many components does it have?
What lies behind a piano’s set of keys? A complex mechanism that can reveal a lot about the production of each sound. The mechanism differs whether the piano is upright or grand. You will hear tones from the piano in a completely different way.
What about the components? Other than the strings and the pedalboard, the parts of a piano are almost unknown to many pianists. Learning the names of each part of the instrument will enrich your knowledge and, maybe even make you a better musician.
♪ The Mechanism
At times high or low, staccato or legato, forte or piano, each nuance is generated by the movement of the pieces that make up the mechanism. Through its sensitivity to touch, the mechanism makes it possible to translate the emotions and subtleties of the pianist.
To learn more about the mechanisms that allow these two types of pianos to produce fabulous melodies, refer to the following diagrams.
♪ The Components
A piano is made up of several components. Do you know what they are? Use this glossary to familiarize yourself with them.
The various components of a piano
Get to know your instrument
Each component of the piano has its place in the creation of harmonious melodies. René Sauriol, piano technician and tuner, is pleased to present this little glossary to help you better understand the various components of your stringed instrument.
♪ The sounding board
A wooden surface that intensifies and diffuses the sound in the surrounding space. The surface area of the wood is related to the resulting resonance.
♪ Easels
The support points of the strings, propagating the vibrations on the soundboard on which they rest.
♪ The windchest
A piece of laminated hardwood, solidly attached to the structure, into which the tuning pegs are driven.
♪ Tuning peg
Made of nickel, the tuning pegs are pressed into the box spring. The flexibility of nickel allows the strings to be adjusted very precisely (fine tuning).
♪ The metal frame
Structure used to retain the pressure exerted by the ropes (number from 215 to 245). Their tension totals more than 18 tons.
♪ The ropes
Metallic wires of different sizes and lengths, designed according to the frequency to be produced.
♪ Bare strings
Steel wire strings for its medium and high pitch.
♪ Spun strings
Copper spun steel ropes to increase diameter and slow oscillation to produce the low (bass) sound.
♪ The keyboard
A set of 88 keys (52 white and 36 black) which, when moving, engage the mechanism.
♪ The pedalboard
A set of pedals that control the duration and power of the sound.
Upright Piano
1- String
2- Damper felt
3- Damper head
4- Damper block
5- Hammer
6- Damper wire
7- Spring rail felt
8- Spring rail
9- Hammer shank
10- Hammer rail cloth
11- Hammer rail
12- Damper lever
13- Damper spring
14- Hammer butt spring
15- Damper flange
16- Hammer butt felt
17- Hammer butt buckskin
18- Hammer butt
19- Catcher shank
20- Catcher
21- Catcher buckskin
22- Backcheck felt
23- Backcheck
24- Damper lift rod
25- Hammer Butt flange
26- Main action rail
27- Jack
28- Letoff regulating screw
29- Letoff rail
30- Letoff button
31- Bridle strap
32- Letoff button punching
33- Backcheck wire
34. Damper spoon
35- Jack flange
36- Bridle wire
37- Jack spring
38- Whippen flange
39- Whippen
40- Sustaining pedal connecting rod
41- Lower action rail or sticker rail
42- Sticker
43- Sticker flange
44- Sticker tongue
45- Sticker cloth
46- Capstan screw
47- Back rail cloth
48- Key
Grand Piano
1- String
2- Damper head
3- Damper felt
4- Damper guide rail
5- Damper wire
6- Hammer
7- Hammer shank
8- Drop screw
9- Hammer flange
10- Main action rail
11- Damper stop rail
12- Damper wire block
13- Damper wire screw
14- Sostenuto rod
15- Backcheck
16- Hammer rest
17- Repetition lever screw
18- Repetition lever flange
20- Hammer knuckle
21- Repetition lever button
22- Wippen spoon
23- Combination jack spring and repetition lever spring
24- Wippen
25- Jack regulating button
26- Jack regulating screw
27- Letoff regulating screw
28- Letoff rail
29- Letoff button
30- Letoff button punching
31- Jack
32- Action bracket
33- Damper lift flange
34- Damper lift rail spring
35- Lips for Sostenuto
36- Damper lever
37- Damper lever key cushion
38- Backcheck wire
39- Wippen flange
40- Wippen rail
41- Wippen cushion
42- Capstan screw
43- Key button
44- Balance rail key pin
45- Key
47- Damper lift rail
48- Back rail
49- Back rail cloth
50- Key frame
51- Balance rail
52- Balance rail bearing