Music Trade Review
Issue: 1897 Vol. 25 N. 16 - Page 27
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THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW
Art in Piano Making.
SIX YEARS ARE NECESSARY FOR PERFECT CON-
STRUCTION GREAT CARE IN ALL STAGES
OF MANUFACTURE IS OF VITAL IM-
PORTANCE EXQUISITE SKILL
AN ABSOLUTE QUALIFICA-
TION IN EVERY WORK-
MAN.
ment the piano must prove a failure. The
next stage reached here is where the ham-
mer, keys and actions are placed in their
proper positions in the frame, when the
piano first gives forth sound as a musical
instrument.
" T h e principal object sought here is a
powerful blow of the hammer upon the
strings, to be produced by a light touch of
the performer. The workmen in this de-
partment must have skill and experience,
for the delicate and costly materials and
mechanisms they handle and place in pro-
per working positions make this branch one
of great trust.
"In still another department the carvers
are at work chiseling out legs and other or-
namental portions of the piano. These,
too, have to go through a course of sprouts
in the varnish room. After the keys, lev-
ers, hammers, sounding board and case
have been put together the piano goes to
the fly finishing department, where all
those parts which have been finished sepa-
rately are placed in their respective posi-
tions; that is, the top, lock board, legs,
pedals and music rack are here adjusted.
"Now that the piano has been put
together it remains in the fly finishing de-
partment from three to five weeks, and re-
ceives a preparatory course of tuning be-
fore going into the hands of the action and
tone regulators. These first tunings are
of great importance, and on them much of
the future excellence of the piano depends.
"Then the instrument goes to the tone
regulating department, probably the most
important branch of all. Failure here is fatal
and must result disastrously asfarasthe pro-
duction of a true musical instrument is
concerned. Here the mechanical rules
which have guided all previous departments
take a back seat, and the highly trained
ear and musical skill of the artist take the
lead. All sound is conveyed to our sense
of hearing by means of vibration running
in waves through the air.
"The tone regulator must thoroughly
understand the laws which govern the pro-
duction of sound and tones. Uneven and
irregular vibrations produce false and
discordant tone. On the other hand,
even and regular vibrations produce
sweetness of tone and harmony. It is of
vital importance to the piano manufacturer
to understand the laws which govern the
production of the false as well as the true
tones. It is in this department that the
quality of the piano is determined. .
"Of course you think this is the finishing
point, but it isn't. Before it goes to the
warerooms the piano goes into the hands
of workmen of the very highest grade,
who minutely examine every portion of
the instrument. Every string and ham-
mer, every center lever and spring, every
screw and pin must undergo a rigid in-
spection, and not until these have been
ascertained to be adjusted properly and
the instrument is found to be in perfect
condition is it'passed over to receive its
final polish and be placed in the wareroom."
Few people are aware of the amount of
time and labor required to produce a piano.
From the time the first log is sawed in the
forest until the finishing touches and final
overhauling are given to the completed
piano from four to six years must pass.
That is, every piano turned out from the
factory or store to-day was begun four or
five years ago, and ever since that time has
been going through the various stages of
preparation and construction. One of the
large manufacturers, when asked by a re-
presentative of a Brooklyn paper as to the
process of construction, cheerfully gave
A Difference of Opinion.
the desired information, at the same time
leading the way through the manufac-
The Topeka, Kans., papers of recent
tory.
date contain some funny paragraphs about
"This is in reality the second factory,"
the set-to which occurred in the Kimball
said he, "for all the material comes here in
piano warerooms in that city between T.
a partially completed state. In the first
P. Cully and Henry Dalby. The latter it
place an experienced lumberman is em-
seems claimed there was something due
ployed by every manufacturer to select the
him on a certain business transaction; the
logs and see that the grains of the different
matter was disputed with the result that a
woods are straight and true. After these
pretty lively scrap ensued. The parti-
have been sawed the lumber is piled under
cipants were not, to use the sporting
weather proof sheds, where it remains
vernacular, ''in the same class," meanwhile
from three to five years, according to thick-
none of them escaped without a souvenir
ness, until it has become thoroughly air
of the fracas.
dried.
"When the case has been cut out in the
Diamond Polish
Massachusetts factory it is shipped here
and comes first into the varnishing depart-
Not only polishes organs and pianos, but
ment, where it remains from three to four
cleans them. Wide-awake piano dealers
months in order that the pores of the wood
push its sale and find it satisfies the cus-
may be thoroughly filled. That is really
tomer; can be used safely by anyone. It
the secret of the fine polish on a finished
is made by the Hartford Diamond Polish
piano. While this is progressing in the
Co., Hartford, Conn.
varnishing room other and important work
is being done on the interior of the piano.
F. E. McArthur & Sons, of Knoxville,
The sounding board, which is also seasoned
Tenn.,
are making extensive alterations
and tested in the first factory, is again
and
improvements
in their warerooms in
thoroughly tested here.
that city.
" Every grain of wood and every joint
is thoroughly investigated before it is put
into the case. Here the skill of the piano
Finest Tone,
maker begins, and only the most careful
and competent workmen are intrusted with
Best Work
the responsibility of this department.
Numerous mechanical and scientific ar-
rangements are necessary to obtain satis-
and Material.
factory results with the sounding boards.
"Then the actions, keys and levers are
OVER 65,000 NOW IN USE.
attended to in another room. These por-
Illustrated
Catalogue upon application,
tions of the piano are of the most vital
importance, as it is upon the exact adjust-
EMERSON PIANO CO., Manufacturers,
ment of the many layers and center points
NEW YORK,
CHICAGO,
BOSTON,
that the power and delicacy of the touch
218
Wabash
Avenue.
depends. Unless great care and attention 116 Boylston Street.
92 Fifth Avenue.
is bestowed upon the details in this depart-
Factories: BOSTON, MASS.
EMERSON
PIANOS
POOLE
PIANOS
Precious, Perfect, Peerless
As to Tone, Touch, Design,
Durability and Value. . . ,
5 and 7 AFFLETON STREET, BOSTON. MASS.
THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW
Art in Piano Making.
SIX YEARS ARE NECESSARY FOR PERFECT CON-
STRUCTION GREAT CARE IN ALL STAGES
OF MANUFACTURE IS OF VITAL IM-
PORTANCE EXQUISITE SKILL
AN ABSOLUTE QUALIFICA-
TION IN EVERY WORK-
MAN.
ment the piano must prove a failure. The
next stage reached here is where the ham-
mer, keys and actions are placed in their
proper positions in the frame, when the
piano first gives forth sound as a musical
instrument.
" T h e principal object sought here is a
powerful blow of the hammer upon the
strings, to be produced by a light touch of
the performer. The workmen in this de-
partment must have skill and experience,
for the delicate and costly materials and
mechanisms they handle and place in pro-
per working positions make this branch one
of great trust.
"In still another department the carvers
are at work chiseling out legs and other or-
namental portions of the piano. These,
too, have to go through a course of sprouts
in the varnish room. After the keys, lev-
ers, hammers, sounding board and case
have been put together the piano goes to
the fly finishing department, where all
those parts which have been finished sepa-
rately are placed in their respective posi-
tions; that is, the top, lock board, legs,
pedals and music rack are here adjusted.
"Now that the piano has been put
together it remains in the fly finishing de-
partment from three to five weeks, and re-
ceives a preparatory course of tuning be-
fore going into the hands of the action and
tone regulators. These first tunings are
of great importance, and on them much of
the future excellence of the piano depends.
"Then the instrument goes to the tone
regulating department, probably the most
important branch of all. Failure here is fatal
and must result disastrously asfarasthe pro-
duction of a true musical instrument is
concerned. Here the mechanical rules
which have guided all previous departments
take a back seat, and the highly trained
ear and musical skill of the artist take the
lead. All sound is conveyed to our sense
of hearing by means of vibration running
in waves through the air.
"The tone regulator must thoroughly
understand the laws which govern the pro-
duction of sound and tones. Uneven and
irregular vibrations produce false and
discordant tone. On the other hand,
even and regular vibrations produce
sweetness of tone and harmony. It is of
vital importance to the piano manufacturer
to understand the laws which govern the
production of the false as well as the true
tones. It is in this department that the
quality of the piano is determined. .
"Of course you think this is the finishing
point, but it isn't. Before it goes to the
warerooms the piano goes into the hands
of workmen of the very highest grade,
who minutely examine every portion of
the instrument. Every string and ham-
mer, every center lever and spring, every
screw and pin must undergo a rigid in-
spection, and not until these have been
ascertained to be adjusted properly and
the instrument is found to be in perfect
condition is it'passed over to receive its
final polish and be placed in the wareroom."
Few people are aware of the amount of
time and labor required to produce a piano.
From the time the first log is sawed in the
forest until the finishing touches and final
overhauling are given to the completed
piano from four to six years must pass.
That is, every piano turned out from the
factory or store to-day was begun four or
five years ago, and ever since that time has
been going through the various stages of
preparation and construction. One of the
large manufacturers, when asked by a re-
presentative of a Brooklyn paper as to the
process of construction, cheerfully gave
A Difference of Opinion.
the desired information, at the same time
leading the way through the manufac-
The Topeka, Kans., papers of recent
tory.
date contain some funny paragraphs about
"This is in reality the second factory,"
the set-to which occurred in the Kimball
said he, "for all the material comes here in
piano warerooms in that city between T.
a partially completed state. In the first
P. Cully and Henry Dalby. The latter it
place an experienced lumberman is em-
seems claimed there was something due
ployed by every manufacturer to select the
him on a certain business transaction; the
logs and see that the grains of the different
matter was disputed with the result that a
woods are straight and true. After these
pretty lively scrap ensued. The parti-
have been sawed the lumber is piled under
cipants were not, to use the sporting
weather proof sheds, where it remains
vernacular, ''in the same class," meanwhile
from three to five years, according to thick-
none of them escaped without a souvenir
ness, until it has become thoroughly air
of the fracas.
dried.
"When the case has been cut out in the
Diamond Polish
Massachusetts factory it is shipped here
and comes first into the varnishing depart-
Not only polishes organs and pianos, but
ment, where it remains from three to four
cleans them. Wide-awake piano dealers
months in order that the pores of the wood
push its sale and find it satisfies the cus-
may be thoroughly filled. That is really
tomer; can be used safely by anyone. It
the secret of the fine polish on a finished
is made by the Hartford Diamond Polish
piano. While this is progressing in the
Co., Hartford, Conn.
varnishing room other and important work
is being done on the interior of the piano.
F. E. McArthur & Sons, of Knoxville,
The sounding board, which is also seasoned
Tenn.,
are making extensive alterations
and tested in the first factory, is again
and
improvements
in their warerooms in
thoroughly tested here.
that city.
" Every grain of wood and every joint
is thoroughly investigated before it is put
into the case. Here the skill of the piano
Finest Tone,
maker begins, and only the most careful
and competent workmen are intrusted with
Best Work
the responsibility of this department.
Numerous mechanical and scientific ar-
rangements are necessary to obtain satis-
and Material.
factory results with the sounding boards.
"Then the actions, keys and levers are
OVER 65,000 NOW IN USE.
attended to in another room. These por-
Illustrated
Catalogue upon application,
tions of the piano are of the most vital
importance, as it is upon the exact adjust-
EMERSON PIANO CO., Manufacturers,
ment of the many layers and center points
NEW YORK,
CHICAGO,
BOSTON,
that the power and delicacy of the touch
218
Wabash
Avenue.
depends. Unless great care and attention 116 Boylston Street.
92 Fifth Avenue.
is bestowed upon the details in this depart-
Factories: BOSTON, MASS.
EMERSON
PIANOS
POOLE
PIANOS
Precious, Perfect, Peerless
As to Tone, Touch, Design,
Durability and Value. . . ,
5 and 7 AFFLETON STREET, BOSTON. MASS.
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