Pianos have been around for a long time. And for all those centuries, piano tuning has been as much of an art as piano playing, and it has evolved right alongside the instrument itself. The history of piano tuning provides and interesting peek into how both musical tastes and technology have developed. And this week, we’re going to take a trip back in time to explore some of this history! This journey highlights how piano tunings became an integral aspect of piano playing, music making, and defining the sounds that inspired generations.
Pre-Piano: Clavichord & Harpsichord Tuning
While the piano has been around for a long time, it hasn’t always been around. First were its predecessors: the clavichord and harpsichord. And both of these instruments required regular tuning to create their distinctive sounds. Early tuning techniques were rudimentary by today’s standards, and usually performed by the musicians themselves. The “temperament,” or tuning system, was usually meantone. Meantone favoured pure intervals in a limited range of keys, which reflected the musical preferences of the time.
The Piano & The Birth of Piano Tuning
When Bartolomeo Cristofori invented the piano in the early 18th century, it started a new dynamic in music making. The new instrument could play both soft and loud; something none of its predecessors were capable of. However, this new feature brought with it new tuning challenges. Specifically, the piano’s complicated mechanism and intense string tension necessitated a more sophisticated approach to make sure the instrument stayed in tune and maintained its dynamic sound.
The Industrial Piano Tuning Revolution: Equal Temperament & New Tools
The turn of the 19th century and the Industrial Revolution brought with it a true revolution in piano tuning. At this time, “equal temperament” was highly popular and largely adopted. This system divides the octave into twelve equal parts, which allows composers to write in an key. The result was an expansion of the musical palette, and in turn, musical tastes. It was a radical change that matched the era’s thirst for exploration and creativity, and allowed the rich and harmonic sound of Romanic music to thrive.
Furthermore, the Industrial Revolution brought on advancements in piano manufacturing; instruments were more consistent and reliable. Additionally, tuning gained access to far more precise tools for their craft. This included the tuning lever (or hammer), as well as a host of mutes, which improved the tuner’s accuracy and the stability of their piano tuning. These tools and techniques helped elevate the role of the piano tuner, making it a highly specialized profession.
Piano Tuning in the Electronic Age: Tuning Meters & Digital Advancements
The next major leap forward for piano tuning came with the start of the 20th century, and the rise of electronic tuning devices. At that time, the first strobe tuners, and later digital tuning devices, offered professional tuners the ability to measure pitch with incredible precision. These tools advanced in leaps and bounds over the next hundred years, and today, software apps have integrated these devices. Modern tuners now blend traditional by-ear techniques with the latest technology to achieve the best result possible.
Modern Piano Tuning: Blending Art & Science
Today, piano tuners are stewards of a rich history and heritage, blending art and science as they work. Not only do they rely on sophisticated, modern technology, but also their highly trained ears. This combination of technology and centuries-old technique ensure each piano expressed the full range of human emotion. With this respect for the traditions of the past, mixed with the advancements of the present, today’s piano tuners make sure the piano will remain an important instrument well into the next century.
Closing Thoughts
The evolution of the techniques and technology of piano tuning closely reflects the development of the modern piano itself. Both have changed, hand in hand, with musical tastes and styles, technological innovations, and cultural shifts. From the earliest days of meantone temperament, to the precision of equal temperament; from manual tuning techniques to digital modernization, the piano and piano tuning have come a long way. In fact, the long history of piano tuning isn’t just a dry topic on technical details. Rather, it’s a rich story of human ingenuity and the endless quest for the perfect musical tone.
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