What Are the Parts of a Piano?

The piano is a fascinating and complex 325 year-old instrument, admired for its beautiful sound and design. If you’ve ever wondered, what are the parts of the piano and how many parts does a piano have, in this blog we’ll be exploring the piano anatomy along with the intricate components that transform the simple act of pressing a key down into harmonious melodies.

The modern piano has close to 12,000 parts. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned pianist, understanding the different parts of a piano can deepen your appreciation for the craftsmanship and artistry that goes into making this remarkable instrument.

Keyboard & Hammers

So, what are the parts of a piano called? Starting off, one of the most recognizable parts of a piano is its keyboard. A standard piano keyboard is made up of 88 keys, 52 white keys and 36 black keys that correspond to different notes. The keys are much longer than they appear; about ⅔ of the key is hidden from view. On an acoustic piano, the keys and hammers are part of a large intricate mechanism called the action, which allows a felt covered hammer to strike the string(s) when a key is pressed down.

Dampers

The dampers are small pieces of wood covered in felts that rest against the strings when the keys are not depressed, effectively muting the strings’ sound. When a key is pressed down, the damper for the corresponding string(s) is lifted, allowing the string to vibrate and produce sound.

The ability to quickly lift and lower the dampers is essential for playing short, sharp notes (staccato) and creating a crisp, distinct sound. Without dampers, the piano would constantly produce sound even when the keys aren’t pressed down, making it nearly impossible to play melodies and chords without everything blending into a cacophony of sound.

The highest notes on the piano don’t have dampers, as they’d sound odd if the sound clipped off too quickly without resonating. New piano owners call us all the time asking if the missing dampers are a factory mistake!

Strings

The strings on a piano are responsible for producing the energy that is sent to the bridges and then the soundboard; they are vibrating, but not making any sound of their own (imagine the sound of an unplugged electric guitar). They are made of high-tensile steel and vary in thickness and length depending on the note they produce.

A standard acoustic piano typically has 230 strings, although this amount may differ based on the make and model. The bass notes are wound with copper which allow the string to vibrate at a lower pitch. Notes in the bass section are longer and thicker with the lowest notes striking 1 string per key. As you move to the higher notes, the string length becomes shorter and a thinner wire gauge is used. In the upper bass section, each key strikes 2 strings, while notes in the mid-range and treble sections strike 3 strings per key. Since the strings become shorter and thinner as you move up the piano, additional strings are used to produce a richer tone and increase the volume.

If you’ve ever wondered why the standard size of a concert piano is 9-feet long, it’s largely because the long strings continue vibrating and “singing”, while the sound dies off faster on smaller, shorter pianos.

Soundboard

The soundboard, considered the soul of the piano, is a large and thin wooden board located beneath the strings and is one of the most important parts of a piano, because the design, quality, and size determines the piano’s volume, resonance, and tone. The soundboard’s job is to amplify the strings’ vibrations and produce the rich, resonant sound we associate with the modern piano. Spruce is commonly used for the soundboard due to its tonal qualities and ability to transfer sound efficiently, and there are many grades of quality.

To construct the soundboard, several planks of wood are glued together edge to edge. The soundboard is then cut to the shape of the piano and planed to the proper thickness. A slight arch known as the crown is formed which helps improve the sound quality. Wooden ribs are also attached underneath the soundboard for support and to help with sound production. The high tension on the strings pushes down forcefully on the soundboard, about 25,000 to 30,000 pounds of tension in a baby grand.

If you’ve seen similar-looking models at wildly different prices, the quality of the soundboard could be one of the reasons; a 350 year-old German white spruce is massively more expensive than a 200 year-old Alaskan spruce.

Bridge

Another piano part that is crucial to sound production is called the bridge. The bridges which are made from wood are located beneath the strings and are glued to the soundboard. This design allows the vibration of the strings to transfer to the soundboard. Metal pins are inserted in the top of the bridge which help maintain the strings’ proper alignment and spacing. The exact placement and shape of the bridge play a significant role in shaping the tonal qualities of the piano. Neglecting your seasonal piano tuning can cause damage like cracks in the bridge, which badly harms the piano’s tone, and is almost irreparable.

Plate

The plate is a large cast-iron frame that is designed to withstand the immense tension created by the strings. It is positioned above the soundboard and pinblock and securely bolted to the backframe. Tuning pins are inserted through holes near the keyboard side of the piano, down into the pinblock. A string is then anchored from the tuning pin to the hitch pins which are positioned on the opposite side of the frame.

Tuning Pins

A standard 88 key piano has over 200 tuning pins, which are steel cylinders driven into a wooden pinblock and are used to anchor one end of the string. The top of the tuning pin features a square shape that can be gripped by a tuning hammer and is used to tune the piano by adjusting the tension of the string. The bottom of the tuning pin is threaded and tightly gripped by the pinblock which helps keep it in place. The tuning pins, pinblock, and plate are essential for maintaining the piano’s tuning stability.

Case & Lid

The case of a piano is a wooden cabinet that provides aesthetic appeal, houses and protects the internal parts of a piano, in addition to providing structural stability. It is comprised of several parts including the inner and outer rim, backposts, lid, and fallboard.

The lid can be used to adjust the amount of sound projected from the piano in addition to protecting the internal parts. Most grand pianos are equipped with 1-2 prop sticks which allow you to adjust the height of the lid. Upright pianos may come with a prop stick or will have a lid with a hinge that can be flipped open.

Pedals

Pedals are crucial parts of a piano that affect the sound and overall playability of the instrument. Most modern pianos typically have three pedals: the damper pedal, the sostenuto pedal, and the soft pedal.

To the right, the damper pedal, also referred to as the sustain pedal, lifts all the dampers simultaneously when pressed down, allowing the sound to sustain.

The middle pedal, also known as the sostenuto pedal, is used to selectively sustain certain notes. Only notes played just before the pedal is activated will keep the dampers lifted off the strings while the pedal is pressed down. Notes played after the pedal is pressed down will not be sustained. The function of the middle pedal can vary depending on the piano. Some grand pianos are equipped with a bass damper and will only sustain the bass notes. On certain upright pianos, the middle pedal or practice pedal, can activate a mute rail, which lowers a piece of felt between the hammers and keys to mute the sound.

The soft pedal, situated on the left, reduces the overall volume of the piano and can also change the tone. On grand pianos, the action shifts to the right so that certain hammers strike two strings rather than three. During this shift, a different section of the hammer felt will strike the string resulting in a more delicate tone. On upright pianos, the soft pedal reduces the distance between the hammers and the strings.

Other Technical Parts

These piano parts may get overlooked, but still serve important roles in supporting the instrument’s structure and functionality.

1. Key block: Removable wooden blocks positioned on both sides of the keyboard to prevent it from sliding.
2. Key slip: A removable wooden strip which is placed along the front edge of the piano, just below the keys, to conceal the key frame.
3. Casters: Small wheels that are mounted beneath the legs that allow you to move the piano. Typically made from metal or rubber.
4. Music rack: Designed to hold sheet music in an upright position for the pianist to read.
5. Legs: Supports the piano and provides a visually appealing base for grand pianos (3 legs) and some upright pianos (2 legs), while others, like continental styles, may lack them.
6. Lyre: The removable framework located beneath a grand piano, which holds and supports the pedals.

Conclusion

Now that you’ve learned how many parts are in a piano and some of their primary functions, you can begin to see how each element contributes to the instrument’s overall sound and performance. Each component, from the piano key parts to the strings and soundboard work in harmony to create the expressive tones that make this instrument truly special. We hope that understanding the parts of a piano not only deepens your appreciation for the instrument, but also enriches your experience whether you are playing, listening, or even considering purchasing one.

There is a significant difference in the quality of pianos that are being fine-tuned in the factory by seasoned craftsmen and women, and those that are completed in a very automated fashion with as few human beings as possible. The finished pianos look almost identical on the outside, but the amount of care and attention to detail in making a piano that sounds beautiful and has a long lifespan are very different!

If you’re interested in learning more about the fascinating world of pianos or are looking to buy a piano, contact us today and we’ll be happy to assist.