Far 3 Piano Keys
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This really isnt much of a finale question, but on a Grand Piano, why are there an extra 3 keys on the far left side?
- Peter Thomsen
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I'm afraid I can't follow your thoughts here.
Could you explain your thoughts a little more in detail, e. g. by defining "extra keys"?
Could you explain your thoughts a little more in detail, e. g. by defining "extra keys"?
Mac OS X 12.6.9 (Monterey), Finale user since 1996
- miker
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Some manufacturers (i.e. Bosendorfer) add additional keys to some special models. The Model 290 Imperial has 97 keys!
Finale 27 | SmartScorePro 64
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Copyist for Barbershop Harmony Society
I've played on one of those Bosendorfers that go all the way down to C. By the time you get down to that near-subsonic range, the upper harmonics take over, and it sounds more like a 1970 sci-fi laser pistol (byool-byool-byool) than a musical instrument.
I think 92 keys, going down to F, woulda been plenty.
I think 92 keys, going down to F, woulda been plenty.
-Tom Williams
Finale 26.1, Finale 2012
Finale 26.1, Finale 2012
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If you go from C to C on a keyboard, it consists of a set of 2 black keys and 3 more black keys. A grand piano seems to have 7 sets of those, but on the far left side, it has 3 extra keys: A, A Sharp and B. I'm just curious on why those three keys are there.
- Peter Thomsen
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There's no law that says that you must go from C to C on a keyboard.dberry02jr wrote:If you go from C to C on a keyboard, it consists of a set of 2 black keys and 3 more black keys. A grand piano seems to have 7 sets of those, but on the far left side, it has 3 extra keys: A, A Sharp and B. I'm just curious on why those three keys are there.
You can just as well go from A to A.
If you go from A to A, then you will come to the conclusion that there are 3 extra keys on the far right side.
Also, there's no law that says that the lowest note on an instrument must be a C.
As a matter of fact there are many instruments whose lowest note isn't a C.
The range of 88 keys, going from A on the far left side to C on the far right side, is pretty much standard on a grand piano.
Mac OS X 12.6.9 (Monterey), Finale user since 1996
- miker
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Because a lot of the resonance and tone come from the case. Plastic doesn't have the same characteristics.
For some very interesting reading, find 88 Keys: The Making of a Steinway Piano.
For some very interesting reading, find 88 Keys: The Making of a Steinway Piano.
Finale 27 | SmartScorePro 64
Mac OS 13.2.1 Ventura
Copyist for Barbershop Harmony Society
Mac OS 13.2.1 Ventura
Copyist for Barbershop Harmony Society
Pianos have been made of plastic -- transparent lucite, for example. And the piano on the Hindenburg was made of aluminum!
'Course, I have no idea how they sounded. It seems to me that a metal body would have its own resonances, not necessarily unpleasant.
'Course, I have no idea how they sounded. It seems to me that a metal body would have its own resonances, not necessarily unpleasant.
-Tom Williams
Finale 26.1, Finale 2012
Finale 26.1, Finale 2012
- michelp
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Extra keys are available on Böserndorfer pianos, in the bass range :
- 97 keys on the "Imperial" model : http://www.boesendorfer.com/en/model-290-imperial.html
- There used to be a model with "only" 92 keys (225), but it doesn't seem to be in their catalogue anymore. Read http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/B%C3%B6sendorfer
Why extra keys ? Some piano litterature uses them, a.o. contemporary composers, Busoni, etc...
- 97 keys on the "Imperial" model : http://www.boesendorfer.com/en/model-290-imperial.html
- There used to be a model with "only" 92 keys (225), but it doesn't seem to be in their catalogue anymore. Read http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/B%C3%B6sendorfer
Why extra keys ? Some piano litterature uses them, a.o. contemporary composers, Busoni, etc...
Michel
MacOsX 12.7.5, Finale 27.4.1 & 26.3.1, Mac Mini Intel Dual Core i7 3Ghz, 16 Go Ram. Azerty kb. MOTU Midi Express XT USB, Roland Sound Canvas SC-88vl, MOTU Audio Express. 2 monitors (27"' pivot, 24'"), JW Lua, RGP Lua
MacOsX 12.7.5, Finale 27.4.1 & 26.3.1, Mac Mini Intel Dual Core i7 3Ghz, 16 Go Ram. Azerty kb. MOTU Midi Express XT USB, Roland Sound Canvas SC-88vl, MOTU Audio Express. 2 monitors (27"' pivot, 24'"), JW Lua, RGP Lua