With its 12,000 parts, acoustical energy stored in 230 strings under 40,000 pounds of tension, and capable of playing practically any Western music ever written, the piano is one of the top achievements of the industrial revolution. Unlike electronic instruments, the acoustic piano rewards us with a sound that’s alive, never the same, never completely predictable. That magic, of course, is not without a price. Built from living materials, the piano is in a constant state of flux and requires care and attention.
Click the links on the left to explore interesting features of this fascinating instrument and learn how to care for it.