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What Happens When a Key is Pressed?
Each key is attached to a hammer, and pressing it sets off a mechanical chain reaction that causes the hammer to hit a corresponding string.
The key acts as a lever, which pushes the hammer upward. The hammer briefly touches the string, then immediately falls when the key is released. This allows the string to vibrate freely.
The vibrations are transferred via bridge to the soundboard and base of the piano, amplifying the sound.
As soon as the key is released, a damper falls back onto the string to stops its vibration. This gives pianists control over the intensity (how loud the sound is) and the duration (how long the sound lasts) of each note.
Pedals
Pedals
There are two pedals on an upright piano, and three pedals on a grand piano.
The left pedal is called the una corda pedal. It raised the hammers closer to the strings, reducing their speed and the force at which they strike the strings. This makes it ideal for practicing, as it makes the whole piano quieter.
The right pedal is called the sustain pedal. It lifts all the dampers at once, allowing the strings to continue vibrating after the keys are released. This creates a smoother and longer sound, and allows notes to blend together.
The middle pedal, only on grand pianos, is called the sostenuto pedal. It selectively sustains notes by only lifting the dampers of the keys being played while the pedal is being pressed, making it easier to play songs with chords.
Hannah
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