hammer tone mechanics.

ari isaac isaacah@sprint.ca
Sun Jun 28 12:57 MDT 1998


     How does a hammer produce tone? I keep pondering this question since
the answer, or my perception of it determines the specifications for the
felt I will order for the Isaac hammers.
    I think piano tone is produced by the hammer in two stages. The impact
- the hammer striking the strings - and the push off - the hammer lifting
the string when the felt spring reforms the hammer which has been deformed
by the impact.  It goes without saying that the felt spring or, how springy
the felt really is depends on how the hammer is made and how the felt is
put together. 
   I think the functioning of hammers like felt compression springs is
essential for two reasons:  first, musicians and composers want as much
musical color in the tone of instruments as they can get.  Second, a spring
is the only device that will push against the force applied with an equal
force.  The harder the impact - the more the hammer is deformed and the
greater the push off energy.  Also the opposite; the lower the impact - the
less the hammer deformation and the weaker the push off.   
  The third and very practical reason for makeing the hammers to function
like felt compression springs is their much lower dependence on voicing, 
both at installation and during the hammer's lifespan.  A hammer will tend
to revert to function in the way it was first made, regardless on how much
it is voiced.  
To repeat: please get in touch with me with any questions or ideas you may
have concerning hammers, I'll be happy to answer.   Ari Isaac.   
anything to do with hammers,     hammers, piano hammers I mean.


This PTG archive page provided courtesy of Moy Piano Service, LLC