Piano parts
Before you get to purchasing, it's important to know how the piano creates its sound. As I run through the parts, I'll be featuring photos of my own August Hoffman grand piano.The piano is technically percussive instrument – that is, the sound is made by a striking force. In every piano, hammers strike against the strings as the keys are played. Once the hammer hits the string, its vibrations are picked up through the bridge onto the soundboard, which is the wooden panel at the back of the piano. Top quality German Roslau strings are used in all August Hoffman pianos.The soundboard is a crucial piano element. If it is cracked, the sound will be distorted. A well-crafted piano will play with no buzzing. The soundboard, ribs, and back posts of August Hoffman pianos are carved of fine spruce from north-east China.If the soundboard is the heart of the piano, the tone is the soul. Each piano also has its own distinct tone - bright, loud, soft, expressive, warm, etc. Tonal preference is subjective. Play low, middle, and high notes to listen to the full range.
Hammerheads and action
Action is the mechanism that translates your movement on the keys to the hammers, and subsequently the strings. The weight of the hammer refers to the weight of the felt sheets used to construct the hammers. European hammerheads have been installed on August Hoffmans for superior sound.For added stability and strength, zinc aluminum action rails are used to create Renner style action, known as the benchmark for hammerheads
. keys and finish
The touch of a piano refers to stiffness or looseness of the keys. These days, keys are made from high-quality plastic to prevent yellowing and cracking. They are balanced by a center pin.August Hoffman keyboards are produced with digitally controlled machines for precision fit. The same quality of finish used for the exterior cabinet parts is also applied to interior parts. Seasoned wood and felt facilitate the piano's longevity.
Pedals
Your feet will have to play the piano, too!The sustain pedal on the right lifts the dampers. Dampers prevent the string from vibrating, so when it is lifted, the tone is sustained.The pedal on the left is the soft pedal or una corda pedal, which muffles the tone by minimizing the force of the hammers or by altering the action.A third pedal, in the middle, may be present for sustaining bass.
Pedal system
August Hoffman uses a soft play pedal system that is durable and easy to assemble/disassemble.These pedals are made of solid cast and polished brass.
