Arthur Cook, RPT
THE PIANO IS UNIQUE AMONG
KEYBOARD INTRUMENTS.
Only the piano has hammers that strike the strings and rebound away from them, allowing the strings to vibrate and produce sustained musical tones. Each note has an escapement mechanism between the key and its hammer that releases the hammer from the key just before the hammer strikes the strings, allowing it to bounce away from the strings. The pianist may play softly or loudly by depressing the keys slowly or quickly, thus varying the intensity of the blows of the hammers on the strings.
BARTOLOMEO CRISTOFORI
(1655-1731) built the first practical piano that could be played either softly or loudly, with an escapement mechanism for the hammers, in the early 1700's. The name PIANO is an abbreviation of Cristofori's original name for the instrument
- PIANO ET FORTE, or soft and loud.
The dramatic expressive capabilities of the piano set it apart from other keyboard instruments of Cristofori's time, including the harpsichord, in which the mechanism plucks the strings, and the clavichord, in which small brass "tangents" mounted directly on the back ends of the keys touch the strings lightly to produce a very soft, delicate tone.
Because of its versatility, the piano has remained popular to this day as the fundamental keyboard instrument of both home and concert hall.
-Piano Servicing, Tuning and Rebuilding by Arthur Reblitz
Cook Piano Service
616-302-3022
Arthur Cook, RPT
Expert Tuning, Repair
Appraisals and Estimates
It's not only important that your piano techician be competent to perform tuning, regulation and repairs, but also that the person be someone you feel comfortable calling with questions concerning your piano's performance. Hiring a Registered Piano Technician who is committed to comprehensive service for your piano, and not just an occasional tuning, is your best assurance.
The Registered Piano Technician
Certificate is awarded by the Piano Technicians Guild (PTG) to professionals who have committed themselves to the continual pursuit of excellence, both in technical service and ethical conduct. RPT's have passed a series of rigorous examinations on the maintenance, repair, and tuning of pianos.
