Craft · 6 pages · 12 min

How a piano hammer hits a string

The hammer is thrown free of the key so it strikes the string and rebounds instead of resting on it.

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From the opening

A piano key does not push the hammer all the way into the string. A lever train throws the felt hammer so it flies the last short distance on its own and rebounds after the blow. The opening covers jack throws the hammer, escapement lets it rebound, and felt strikes then leaves.

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Inside

Jack throws the hammer
Escapement lets it rebound
Felt strikes then leaves
A blocked hammer chokes
Where the idea stops applying
A distinction worth keeping

Sources

Piano action escapement
Cristofori hammer mechanism

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How a piano hammer hits a string

From the opening

Inside

Sources

Also on the desk