Pianotech

  • 1.  Christofori's invention

    Posted 05-15-2020 18:20
    From the PTG Vertical Regulation Workbook by LaRoy Edwards (page 3):

    What is a piano?
    Christofori invented the escapement principle, not "the piano." The escapement principal is the heart of the piano and the heart of the regulation process. 

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    I can not find a single article or person to support not giving Christofori credit for the invention of the piano. I tried my best to come up with arguments to support the statement above, but they just fall apart. I think there is plenty of evidence Christofori's new instrument at the time to fits the standard definitions of invention and piano. 

    I am curious if anybody has any evidence or solid arguments to support the statement that Christofori is not the inventor of the piano.

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    Tim Michaels

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  • 2.  RE: Christofori's invention

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 05-15-2020 18:59
    I don't want to seem like I am putting words in LaRoy's mouth, but the modern oiano is considered to have arrived after the invention of the double escapement action by Sebastian Erard, and the invention of the one piece cast iron string frame or plate by Alpheus Babcock, first brought to market by Jonas Chickering. Of course, Cristifori did not come up with either of those things.

    Perhaps that is the distinction that LaRoy was making by parsing his words the way he did.



    Original Message


  • 3.  RE: Christofori's invention

    Posted 05-15-2020 21:37
    Pure Poppycock!,
    Yes over the years there were many claims but none of them hold up under scutiny. Schoeter would be an example, but that is actually a case of just inventing a part. 
    Based on the fact that he was already inventing instruments in 1690, i suspect Cristofori's  R and D period for the piano was between then, and he had it all figured out by 1700.
    Silbermann made a piano in 1732. 

    All the essential elements come together as well with Cristofori, opportunity, funding, trade skills, etc.

    I frankly don't get the splitting of hairs of "modern piano" and just a "piano". Give the guy his due credit. And may he rest in Peace already.
    -chris

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    Chernobieff Piano Restorations
    "Where Tone is Key"
    chernobieffpiano.com
    grandpianoman@protonmail.com
    Lenoir City, TN
    865-986-7720
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    Original Message


  • 4.  RE: Christofori's invention

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 05-16-2020 16:11
    Hi Tim,

    I don't really think LaRoy was trying to speak as a historian, as much as to make a point about the escapement principle, as his work is about action regulation.  The historical record is more complicated. For a long time the German  Silbermann was credited with the piano's invention, and today we credit Cristofori but acknowledge recent scholarship that has found that the idea was gestating throughout Europe even before him.

    The principle of escapement isn't universal with the piano either, as other means were also used to prevent the hammer from blocking than a definite escapement mechanism or Jack.   It's really the replacement of the plectra mechanism with the hammer action that was Cristofori's greatness.

    Bill Shull, RPT,  M.Mus.

    Sent from my iPhone



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  • 5.  RE: Christofori's invention

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 05-17-2020 22:47
    By the end of Christofori's piano building career his actions were essentially double escapement with backcheck. He had bichord unisons, a shift, and damper raising mechanism. If he would have had cast iron, high tensile piano wire and continuously felted hammers, he would have created the modern piano. I don't think his strike point ratios were well worked out though.

    If LaRoy was emphasizing the significance of escapement to proper piano function, I couldn't agree more. If you consider the dwell time of the hammer on the string, that is also part of the escapement window. Heavier hammers escape slower.

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    Edward McMorrow
    Edmonds WA
    425-299-3431
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    Original Message