[CAUT] Physics of the Piano

[Fred Sturm]

On Feb 24, 2011, at 1:39 PM, Ed Sutton wrote:

> Fred-
>
> Based only on the sample pages of Amazon.com, I am disappointed. His  
> studies are based on his own 1916 S & S M, which he takes as a  
> standard of standardness. At NAMM I saw so many fine instruments,  
> grand and vertical, designed by people like Del Fandrich, Frank  
> Emerson, Bruce Clark and Lothar Thoma, to name a few. Failing to  
> account for the understanding and advances introduced by people like  
> this is, I think, a serious flaw in a book that hopes to be up to  
> date.
>
> I suppose I'll have to spend $50 to find out if my criticism is valid.
>
> Ed Sutton


That was my first impression, too. And the chapter on the history of  
the Steinway Co should have been left out. However, the basic physics  
is presented in a very clear and measured way, including an excellent  
account of the creation of standing waves in the piano string, the  
hammer string contact period and its effects, various issues  
concerning soundboard modes and nodes, variation of amplitude of  
partials and various causes thereof . . .
	I didn't shell out $50 - our library bought it, and when I glanced at  
it on arrival, I was put off and decided not to bother. Then a  
physicist client presented his copy to me last week (on loan until the  
next tuning), and asked my opinion. So I actually started reading, and  
was far more favorably impressed.
	No, it isn't state of the art, up to date, concerning recent  
developments in the piano world. It isn't what we would wish for as an  
ideal. But it is a pretty comprehensive look at the Physics/Acoustics  
world of scholarship with respect to the piano, the best overview I  
have ever seen, and pretty up to date in that regard (papers from the  
21st century included). All the basic concepts like impedance,  
propagation of waves, etc presented in a clear manner. And, as I said,  
contains some material that was new to me and quite interesting. Yes,  
there are a few warts, but it is worth the reading, IMO.
Regards,
Fred Sturm
University of New Mexico
fssturm at unm.edu