#16. Endblocks--These rectangular chunks of wood serve an important purpose. Little metal plates embedded in them serve to reposition the action whenever it is has been removed for maintenance. The blocks, sometimes called "cheekblocks", are often loosely connected to the fallboard and can fall off when the fallboard is removed. Picture...List
#15. Agraffe--the point closest to the performer at which the string stops vibrating. At some places this is a solid piece of the frame (treble) or in the mid and low ranges it is a small metal grommet through which the string travels to get to the tuning pin. The other end of the vibrating string terminates at the bridge---a long curved board that attaches to the soundboard. Picture...List
#2. Damper pedal--Originally called the "forte" pedal, this invention seems to be as old as the piano itself. The influence of Panteleon Hebenstreit (see History of the Piano) cannot be overestimated in this regard. His two-sided dulcimer had a means of releasing the sounds to ring indefinitely, and many remarked on the beautiful "mingling of harmonies". Early pianos tried to copy this effect with the "forte" pedal which raised the dampers off the strings. Early versions allowed the performer to choose between raising the upper or lower string dampers. All modern instruments have this capability, and some upright instruments have retained the split damper capability in place of one of the other pedals (see sostenuto pedal). Picture...List
#5. Tuning Pins--These are metal dowels approximately 2.5 in. long which are embedded in the "pinblock" and serve as the movable adjustment for tuning. They must be fixed enough to resist changes in humidity and temperature but loose enough for a tuner to turn for tuning. Picture...List
#6. Frontslip--thin wooden piece that fits just in front of the keys. On Steinway model pianos it is removable without a screwdriver (it just SLIPS out). Take one out sometime and look for pennies, pencil leads, paper clips, etc. Picture..List
#7. Pedal Lyre--so named for its resemblance to the Greek harp-like instrument. The rods from the pedals to the piano form the "strings". Picture...List
#8. Frame--The frame is the heaviest single part of a piano and is made of cast iron. The strength of the frame allows the piano to be strung with steel strings stretched to incredible tensions. This translates into carrying power and made the piano a true solo instrument capable of competing with a full symphony orchestra. Picture...List
#11. Dampers--felt mutes that dampen the sound of a sounding string. Those pictured have white stripes on them to indicate the groups of three and two black notes (used in playing ultra modern pieces on the inside of the piano) . This allows a performer to"read" the inside of the piano for extended techniques. Picture...List
#3.Una corda pedal--Also called the "soft" pedal. In a modern grand this pedal shifts the action (see "action") sideways so that the hammers strike only two of the three strings provided for each note in the treble and only one of the two strings provided in the bass, while continuing to strike the single strings of the extreme bass. Picture...List
#9. Hammers--The striking member of the instrument. Hammers were originally made of wood, covered with leather strips. Modern hammers are made of many layers of felt wrapped "onion-skin" fashion around the wooden core. The striking surface of the hammer greatly influences the tone quality of the intsrument and technicians often "file" the hammers to give a new striking surface.Picture ...List
#14. Action--The "action" refers to the entire assembly of the key mechanism which is removable for maintenance. The assembly itself slides out on the surface of the "keybed" or floor of the piano case. It includes the whippens, hammers, keys, capstans, backchecks, etc. so that when a person refers to a heavy "action" he /she is referring to the adjustment of all these parts resulting in a heavy (or light) feel to the keyboard.
#13. Whippen-- refers to a system of levers and springs which deliver the key movement to the hammer. The delicate adjustment of this part is essential to a responsive instrument.Picture ...List
#7. Pedal Lyre--so named for its resemblance to the Greek harp-like instrument. The rods from the pedals to the piano form the "strings". Picture...List
#4. Fallboard--Wooden structure which covers the keys of modern pianos. Sometimes used as a sound source in modern music. Picture...List
#10. Music Rack--Holds the music...I just want you to know the name so you don't call it "the thing that holds the music". Picture...List
#12. Back-checks--small flanges covered with leather which "grab on" to the tail-piece of the hammer after the impact of the hammer on the string. If these are not adjusted properly the hammers may hit the string twice. Picture...List
#1. Sostenuto Pedal--the middle pedal on the piano lyre. It sustains only the sounds of keys that were depressed at the time the pedal was engaged. All other notes remain unchanged. Invented in 1862 in Paris by Claude Montal. It can be used in conjunction with either (or both!) of the other pedals. It is functional as a sostenuto pedal only on grand pianos. On uprights it may serve other functions, such as a damper pedal for the lower strings, a mute, or something else. Many European grand pianos do not provide this pedal. Picture..List..