Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-02-08
PLAN 0S
By FREDERIC J. HASKlN.

for the grand piano in 1S4O and in 1913
one for the square piano, each of which
could be made in one casting. The COM
Dlned principles of cast-iron frames and
over-stringing were developed by Theo-
dore Steinway. and patented in 1863
lnese inventions were of unparalleled
value to the piano manufacturers of the
world. The iron frame is one of the es-
sentla!s of the pianoforte. 1t must be of
great strength, as it needs to sustain
constant strain equivalent to from 4, 900
TO 5000 pounds from the tightly stretch
ed wires, and at the same time it must
not De TOO heavy in weight for the piano
frame TO support. Wherever they can
De inserted without Interfering with the
SOUND vibration essential to music OPEN
1nSs are made in this iron frame as the
maternal taken out lessons the weight
Next to the iron frame comes the
sounding board, which is also a difficuIt
problem. 1t is usually made of light
spruce wood, very well seasoned 1t is
slightly followed on the side next to
tnt wires On the opposite side are
Slued' at right angles of the grain light
, nars OF spruce wood to prevent warping.
lhese bars also prevent the sounding
board from swelling below, while at the
same time permitting it to swell above
III response to the sound vibration of the
wires. The seasoning Of the wood for
sounding boards requires scientific exact
ness; "A cracked sounding board means
broken-hearted piano. and is gen
SidiS the cause OF the tin-panny sound
heard from bad Instruments
Ivory for piano keys was formerly ca
greatly in demand that if was fe.rod ~
supply would be
SC1u1Olu USeQ insufficient. Now
in Making Keys. m ue,,a'o, n has al
ivory for this purpose. The latest de-
velopment is the material called bakelte
Jo;l
more durable and possesses the adyan-
tage of being non-infammable. The iron
and steel used in piano construction mus,
be OF the highest quality as must also
the wires used for the strings. These
last, ranging from the copper wire-wran-
ped bass strings four feet long To tho
slender twc-inch strand for the upper
treble. require absolute perfection in tenn
perlng, since they are the tone producerS
The newest thing in the manufactur-
ing of pianos is the development of its
prayer attachment. This has now he
come recognized as so desirab BILE a fea
ture that manufacturer remarked re-
Gently: I'm the near future the pIaye,.
VIII be recognized as just as important
a part of the piano as its action or key
board In the mind of the manufac
turer, the player has come to STAY. and
each month develops improvements in
Its operation and attachment. The PLAYER
Will not, as has been feared, interfere in
any way with the study of music becausa
its mechanism obvates the need of prac
ticlng. Real musicians will always de-
hSht IN the composition of new themes
and in their own Interpretation of tho
classics, but the piano player puts music
within the reach of those vino have
neither the time to practice nor the skill
Tor original playing. The larger manu-
1acturefs are devoting much effort to the
development of the player. One firm is
erecting large building to be devoted
entirely to this purpose 1t will have !, !
floor space of 10000 square feet
While there are hundreds of manufac-
turers in the United States, there are
h GU s n d of
Many "Stenciled" names under
r4 which pianos are |
VA sold. One of the i
tricks Of the trade is the "stenciIed''
piano. There are many large factories !