Piano Power

Huntly Press and District Gazette, Volume 4, 18 June 1915, Page 3

Piano Power

The —amount of power expend on playing a piano has recently been figured out in a way which, if not altogether accurate, is at least interesting, commenting on the statement that it already requires more force to sound a note gently on this instrument than it does to lift the lid off a kettle, it is easy to verify if one takes a small handful of coins and piles them on a key of the piano. When a sufficient quantity is piled on to make a note sound they may be weighed, and the figures will he found to be true. If the pianist is playing fortissimo, a much greater force is needed. At times the force of six pounds is thrown upon a single key to produce a single effect. With chords the force is generally spread over the various notes simultaneously, though a greater output of force is undoubtedly extended. This is what gives pianists the wonderful strength in their fingers that is often commented on. A story used to be told of Paderewhski that he could crack a pane of plateglass, half an inch thick, merely by placing one hand upon it as if upon a piano keyboard, and striking it sharply with his middle finger. .