How A Piano Works

A piano is an intricate piece of artistry and probably the most complex mechanical device found in your home.  Properly maintained, it will outlast your car and possibly your house.  It is truly unique in its ability to “express” music.  Its features allow a player to interpret many types of musical works in many different ways. Every standard-size piano contains more than 200 strings that must be tuned separately.

More than 10,000 individual parts must be kept in proper regulation if the piano is to function properly and sound its best.  Most pianos have 88 keys - 52 white and 36 black - and two or three pedals to soften and sustain sound.  The piano’s source of sound is vibrating strings.  Depressing a key of the piano causes a hammer to strike one, two or three strings (depending on whether it is a treble, middle or bass note).  These different parts working together make up the “action” of the piano.  The piano we play today is based on one originally invented over 300 years ago, yet it continues to be one of the most popular, versatile instruments and is the one most commonly found in homes.          

Click here to see a moving piano grand action. 
This is a link to Wayne Land's Musicplay page with a wonderful animation of a grand piano action.

Click here to download a fact sheet about how your piano works. 

Click here to download a fact sheet about the features and parts of a piano. 

Click here to play Piano Parts Concentration.