Not all pianos are created equal, and they certainly vary in the sounds they produce. What are some of the physical properties of pianos that affect their sound?
Starting with steel strings, the same string twice as long
as its original length vibrates one octave lower, but creating a piano with the
same thickness of string would be unwieldly, but a wider and heavier string vibrates
more slowly. That is why a piano’s bass strings are thicker than the higher
notes.
The string’s tension also plays a role in the velocity of the
string’s pulse as it is hit by the piano’s hammer. The highest strings need to
have the highest tension/
Furthermore, the longer the string, the longer the
wavelengths and the better tonality. With increased reverberation and power, the
better the harmony, so the larger the piano, the better, all other variables held
constant.
Even then, the property of the strings as they have to
create 88 notes can result in uneven quality of tone. Therefore, most pianos use
multiple stringing so that the vibrations travel more efficiently, making a louder
sound, which can also be sustained longer, depending on how the strings are
hit.
But strings by themselves don’t make much sound, so that is
why a soundboard (make of lightweight wood) is needed to vibrate with the strings
and amplify the sound through the surrounding air. The strings run across a
wooden bar bridge, which is glued to the soundboard.
Moreover, the room in which the piano is placed, also impacts
the piano’s acoustics. For instance, a rug under the piano and irregular shaped
objects along the wall can absorb excess reflected sound. However, adsorptive
objects such as upholstered furniture and heavy drapes can deaden the sound. In
that respect, having exposed flooring at the room’s edges makes the resonance more
“live.” Opening the doors of a room can clarify a piano’s bass tones. Upright pianos work fine in small rooms, but grand
pianos need lots of space to resonate properly. Acoustics professional can
fine-tune the room for optimum sound quality.
