The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-09-03

and also harmonic passages, but avoided
music of sustaining and melodic form.
"The piano builders then, especially at
the advent OF the famous Liszt, who gave
the piano strings the greatest blows that
ever were inflicted upop them, saw the
signs OF the times and they began to
sreugthen the piano, both in its consti-
tutional conditions as we'll as in the
stringing and action, while the sounding
board was built of thicker material,
strings heavier than formerly used were
drawn over it, aud the action kept in
proportion. Heavy hammers replaced he
lighter ones heretofore used, while softer
and more delicate coverings replaced
the ones OF puckskin.
"AIl these improvements gave the
piano more solid nature, but at the
same time it remained in the very state OF
its birth. The hammer struck the string
in a fixed and conditioned sweep OF
flight. being hurled with q mechanical
force and not deviating or changing its
automati stroke. Ii gave the string
blows that were not in harmony with its
vibrating condition, but were in contrast
to the sensitive reviorations OF the sound
ing board. These blows were too severe,
and in consequence brought forth over
tones, or harmonics that CRATE most ter
ribiy on the musical ear. These me-
chanical strocks admitted of no tone
coloring on the part OF the player, as Is
obtained with the bow upon violin
string. But the grea test obstacle was
found In the noise produced by each
blow when engaged with the string.
"The action of the present piano still
retains an encum brance called the re-
lease OF hammer, a mechanical contriv-
ance that disconnects the key from the
hammer after each stroke Is made and
therefore disturbs the player In his
musical Intentions.
"These are the principal objections that
block the ways Of the pianist when per-
forming upon his instrument and while
he can overcome such by hard practice
In controlling his keyboard, there is
ever barrier between him and his in
strument which does not admit OF his ex-
pressing fully his emotions and carrying
or singer can do.
FINDS THE MISSING LINK.
"After caref ul investigation and
many years OF study have found the
missing link that is still wanting in our
present plan oIorte, and which should
elevate that instrument to higher po-
sition aud make.it capable OF serving in
an equally eficient manner, as the violin
does its player. My invention consists
of novel action, which Is to he used in
place OF the present one. This new ac-
ton, while il differs in many respects
from the old one, IN OF q very simple
contraction and free fr )m tho mechani-
cal pressure that the ORD dinary appliance
of springs gives. II is principally BASED
upon a system OF beverages that are calcu-
lated TO give to the swing OF the hammer
a motion thhat must influence 10 to any
degree OF force that is brought upon the
movement OF this action. by tho pressure
upon tho key, according to the many IN
tentions OF the player. This indirect sys.
ten Of motion OF hammer, ia contrast
to the crude force as applied TO the direct
blows, II in a measure greatly diminish
ed, as much as the pressure upon the key
proscribes, and when it's dynamic resour.
ces are fully understood and felt, the
player possesses strong weapon to sub
ject the force OF the hammer when 81 Is in
the act Of combating the Ired string.
"My invention gives to the piano ham
mer the same agency ss the bow in the