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50 KEY-TREATMENT ; INSTRUMENTAL ASPECT. |
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RECAPITULATORY AND SUMMARY
OF THE MAIN CONCLUSIONS OF
PART II
a): The Pianoforte Key is a machine to facilitate the production of Speed in the String. It is a compound-lever, akin in principle to the See-saw.
b): It follows, that Tone-production can only be effected by giving Motion to the Key; since this forms our only means of conveying motion to the String.
c): Energy brought to bear upon the Key ceases to create Tone, the moment that the place in key-descent is reached, where the hammer's motion culminates, and causes Sound to begin.
d): The act itself of Tone-production can hence never take longer than it does in the most extreme Staccatissimo.
e): The Ear apprises us of this moment more quickly than can any other of our senses; hence we must listen for the beginning of sound, if we would have Accuracy in tone-production.
f): The greater the total speed we induce during each individual key-descent, the greater is the Tone-quantity.
g): The more gradually this key-speed is attained, the more beautiful is the Tone-character,—the fuller, more " sympathetic," singing and carrying is its quality.
h): The more sudden the key-depression, the harsher is the resulting Tone-quality; it may be more "brilliant," but it will be less effective in carrying power.
i): The softest possible sound is obtained, when Weight is brought upon the key until a point is reached where the key's opposition (or resistance) to movement is just overcome—and it consequently slips down with the most gentle movement compatible with its hammer reaching the string.
j): Such amount of Weight, allowed to remain resting upon |
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