Question: What's the difference?

[Nancy McMillan]

Kris wrote:

> Maybe I really am nuts... but maybe not ?  It seems to me that there is a
> definite difference between the sound of an electronic "piano"  and a
> REAL piano.  It's hard to convince our church pianist of this... she
> loves her Clavinova, and while it can do some pretty neat things I just
> ache to hear the grand played.  It sits right next to her Clavinova. It's
> a well-maintained Kawai 7-footer.  I've wondered what is it about the
> electonic sounds that make my ears want to squirm and run away.  The
> sounds seem hollow, tasteless.... but how can I explain this to the dear
> pianist? (She doesn't know when the grand is out of tune, either. She
> frankly acknowledges that she needs someone to tell her that.) So... is
> there an actual, definable physical difference between the sounds
> produced by the two instruments? something that would confirm my balance
> and explain  the unsettled, unsatisfied feeling I have when she plays the
> Clavinova?
>
It is as simple as a huge wood soundboard vibrating air against a small
paper and metal speaker vibrating air.
Doug Mahard, Associate