Many folks think that playing the piano is like using a typewriter: press a key, you get a note. But on a typewriter, there are two main limitations:
- You can’t change what each “note” looks like, and
- You can’t repeat that “note” very quickly.
Video Timestamps
0:09 – The limitations of a typewriter action1:12 – Demonstration of volume differences with the piano action
2:29 – Demonstration of repetition with the piano action
2:49 – A look at a key stick and how it works as a basic see-saw
3:28 – How the key stick operates on a key frame
4:17 – Thinking of the piano action as a bio-mechanical amplification system
5:12 – Launching a quarter off of the key stick capstan
5:41 – Demonstrating the power of the top action stack with a quarter
6:07 – Demonstrating the sensitivity of the top action stack
6:51 – Jaimie “Jay” Diaz explains the parts of the piano action and how the whippen and letoff works
7:57 – Why letoff is so important
8:45 – How the key end felt controls the piano dampers
10:00 – A look at the back action underlever damper control system
10:29 – What are “weighted keys” and why are they important for digital pianos?
11:49 – Final thoughts on the merger of science and art expressed through the piano
