The Bellharp

A golden age of piano technology

Modern grand pianos are in a class of their own: more powerful yet more subtle, with faster keyboards and better materials. In my opinion, the instrument is on the verge of being redefined.

My Bellharp paradigm

I believe a bell-like essence is built into the grand piano's design.

To play the piano is to play a chromatic keyed bell.

I draw it out through tuning and regulation.

Tuning

Aural tuning is key to bell tone. I start from a Japanese tuning fork matched to A4, then build the tuning note by note, each derived from the one before it.

The temperament, the heart of the piano

I tune the 12-note temperament in a circular pattern so every note relates to its neighbors, then tune the octaves above and below by ear. This brings out the bell characteristics already in the frame.

Tensioning the bellframe

I tension the frame firmly. If a tuning pin is lax, the string doesn't pull on the frame as it should, and the sound suffers.

How I picture the piano

I picture the grand piano as a tetrahedron that holds sound like a vessel, with the cast-iron frame, the real bellharp, at its center.

The action, regulated by ear

If the piano is a keyed bell, the double-escapement action is its clapper. I regulate by listening, judging how the touch affects what the musician hears, and I use my ear to find the ratio of key depth to striking distance that gives the liveliest bell tone.

Then I sit back and enjoy. Let the piano do its magic under your fingers.