Grand Piano Mechanics and History

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Questions and Answers

Which component of a grand piano is responsible for vibrating and producing sound when the strings are struck?

  • The keyboard
  • The iron frame
  • The soundboard (correct)
  • The felt-covered hammer

Why are the lower strings on a grand piano wrapped in copper wire?

  • To increase their length
  • To reduce their tension
  • To make them heavier (correct)
  • To make them softer

What traditional material were the black keys on a piano made of?

  • Ebony wood (correct)
  • Ivory
  • Plastic
  • Mahogany

Which composer is known for the 'Hungarian Fantasy'?

<p>Franz Liszt (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What distinct characteristic affects the sound of modern pianos compared to older ones?

<p>Changes in sound quality over 300 years (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What nickname was given to the jazz pianist Oscar Peterson?

<p>Maharaja of the keyboard (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which part of the piano is directly visible to the player and interacts with the action?

<p>The keyboard (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following pianists was known as a child prodigy?

<p>Vladimer Askenazy (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which features of a grand piano allow for high-pitched notes?

<p>Multiple steel strings per note (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Grand Piano Action

Mechanism where pressing a key strikes a steel string via a hammer.

Soundboard

Surface that vibrates to amplify sound from the strings of a piano.

Piano Strings

Made of steel wire, differing in construction for pitch variations.

Sharps and Flats

Black keys on the piano, traditionally made from ebony wood.

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White Keys

Traditionally made of ivory, now usually plastic on the piano.

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Octave Pattern

The repetition of white and black keys in a sequence on the piano.

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Top Pianists

Notable composers and performers like Mozart and Chopin in piano music.

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20th Century Pianists

Child prodigies like Vladimer Askenazy and Oscar Peterson in modern piano.

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Hungarian Fantasy

A piano composition by Liszt combining folk melodies and orchestra.

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Study Notes

Grand Piano Action

  • Pressing a key moves a felt-covered hammer, striking a steel string
  • The string vibrates, producing sound
  • Soundboard amplifies the sound
  • Strings held taut by an iron frame
  • Strings made of steel, with higher notes having more strings
  • Lower strings wrapped in copper for weight

Piano Keys

  • White and black keys arranged in an octave pattern
  • Black keys (sharps or flats) traditionally made of ebony wood
  • White keys traditionally made of ivory, now plastic

Piano Composers and Pianists

  • Many classical composers composed works for piano
  • Examples include Mozart, Beethoven, Liszt, Chopin, Clara Schumann
  • Piano sounds have changed over the centuries
  • Famous pianists like Vladimir Askenazy, Nelson Freire, and Idil Biret are noted for their skill
  • Oscar Peterson was a famous jazz pianist

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