From touch to string vibrations—The initial course of the piano tone
Anders G. Askenfelt, Erik Jansson · The Journal of the Acoustical Society of America · 1987
In a pilot study [J. Acoust. Soc. Am. Suppl. 1 71, S92 (1982)], measurements of key velocity, hammer acceleration, and string vibrations were reported. The study also covered the timing of the parts in the action and contact durations between hammer and string. The project was now continued by verifying measurements of key motion and string vibrations by means of a novel optical detector. In addition, the motion of the hammer has been recorded simultaneously with key motion under different playing conditions (pianist, nonpianist, pendulum). The effects of adjustment of the action on timing, as well as the effects of weight, shape, and softness (intonation) of the hammer on the string waveform and spectrum, have also been investigated. The methods and the results of the measurements will be presented and discussed.