Dave-
Are we talking about pianos? Are we considering the history in development of an instrument?
There is not one piano manufacturer or soundboard rebuilder in existence today, not one, that can create the sound production that a piano with the modern frame and plate can, trying to duplicate their soundboard for the modern piano, or that of any other manufacturer, in a Mozart pianoforte and its accompanying frame. Perhaps we have gained enough knowledge in the process to increase sound production in the Mozart pianoforte, but it will never match the modern piano.
We should not ignore the role of the modern piano action in creating the sound of the modern piano. Dale Probst states 5/11:
"A piano action could be thought of as a mechanical amplifier. The system of levers actually increase the power and speed of the keystroke to the hammer strike."
Actually, whatever could be made of this isolated description, the modern piano action, accelerated or not, has everything to do with the sound production of the modern piano. The modern piano action and its system of levers would tear a Mozart pianoforte to shreds. The Mozart pianoforte could never withstand the kind of force the modern piano action creates when striking a string. The strings would all be broken as soon as you played them if you installed a modern piano action in a Mozart pianoforte.
I agree that we must consider the piano action in any discussion of the source in sound production of pianos. The action has everything to do with how much sound it produces. To ignore this would be to say that percussionists only can play one volume.
The sound production of the modern piano is in large part due to the multiplied potential for withstanding string tension, and the massive string diameter that it makes possible, not the soundboard. There are other considerations. That action is more powerful, and the strings strong enough not to be snapped by the hammer, etc. Without the plate and strengthened frame, however, the modern piano would still whisper, and occasionally speak up to perhaps a conversational volume, like the pianoforte always did.
Any major piano manufacturer could revive more traditional keyboard instruments, attenuate the tons of tension the gargantuan strings in the modern piano creates, eliminate the cast iron plate, and begin to build period instruments. There is a market for it also. But probably, not enough money in it. Piano manufacturers struggle enough without such gambling. Not too many halls get built for that anymore. It is a shame. The Mozart piano seems to me ideal for the Mozart recitative and the coloratura, more than his piano concertos, though it can work for that also. It might even work better for keyboard reduction of a modern opera like Strauss's "Ariadne auf Naxos," or his "Capriccio," if memory serves me correctly, being examples of his less Wagnerian, unaggressive, neo-classical style.
- Ben
-----Original Message-----
From: caut-bounces at ptg.org [mailto:caut-bounces at ptg.org] On Behalf Of David Love
Sent: Monday, May 11, 2009 4:07 PM
To: caut at ptg.org
Subject: Re: [CAUT] Accujust and grunting fish bait
OK. I'm not trying to be a pain here so please bear with me as I wrestle
with the correct terminology (I do get the mechanics). If we hammer on a
string that is not connected to a soundboard we hardly hear it. When we do
couple it to a soundboard the energy output can actually damage our hearing.
How is that reconciled with either no new energy is created or the output of
energy is not increased when we consider sound as a form of energy. Isn't
there such a thing as a mechanical amplifier?
David Love
www.davidlovepianos.com
-----Original Message-----
From: caut-bounces at ptg.org [mailto:caut-bounces at ptg.org] On Behalf Of Delwin
D Fandrich
Sent: Monday, May 11, 2009 11:39 AM
To: caut at ptg.org
Subject: Re: [CAUT] Accujust and grunting fish bait
No. We've just changed it from one form of energy to another form of energy.
That is what transducers do.
ddf
| -----Original Message-----
| From: caut-bounces at ptg.org [mailto:caut-bounces at ptg.org] On
| Behalf Of David Love
| Sent: May 10, 2009 10:23 AM
| To: caut at ptg.org
| Subject: Re: [CAUT] Accujust and grunting fish bait
|
| Del (et al):
|
| One final question for clarification because there seems to
| be something missing in the link here.
|
| If we agree that no new energy is created, but that the
| energy from the string through transduction creates new sound
| via the soundboard, and if sound is energy, haven't we
| created new energy?
|
| David Love
| www.davidlovepianos.com
|
|
|
|
|
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