Piano Tuning | Page 8

the main rail about the same height as this projection, the entire rod is thrown outward against the lower ends of the damper levers, releasing all the dampers simultaneously. This being the only office of the right pedal, it is readily seen that this pedal does not increase the loudness, but simply sustains any number of tones struck successively, giving the effect of more volume.
The student should familiarize himself with all technical terms used in this lesson, as they will be referred to frequently in the succeeding lessons on repairing and regulating.
QUESTIONS ON LESSON III.
Without reference to anything but the cut, give technical names for parts of action represented by the following letters or abbreviations:
1. Bnc R, c, G P, BP, Ky, L.
2. Bm, Cpn, E, W, j, js, g, and M R.
3. Rr, B C, B R, B C W, Bl, and Bl W.
4. Bt, H, H S, H R, and sr.
5. S, D, D L, D R, s, B, and B B.
6. Explain the purpose and movements of the jack.
7. Describe a flange and the joint of same.
8. Give names of the four flanges shown in cut.
9. What is the purpose of the back catch and back check?
10. Explain the mechanical action of the damper pedal, and its effect when used; also, that of the soft pedal.

LESSON IV.
ACTION OF SQUARE AND GRAND PIANOS.
ACTION OF THE SQUARE PIANO.
Up to about the year 1870, the square was the popular piano. The grand has always been too expensive for the great music-loving masses, and previous to this time the upright had not been developed sufficiently to assert itself as a satisfactory instrument. The numerous objections to the square piano forced its manufacture to be discontinued a few years after the introduction of the improved new upright. Square pianos that come, at the present day, under the hand of the tuner, are usually at least fifteen years old, and more frequently twenty or more. However, in some localities the tuner will meet numbers of these pianos and he will find them a great source of revenue, as they are almost invariably in need of repair.
Compare the three cuts of actions in the study of this lesson.
The main constituent parts of the square action are similar in appearance to those of the upright; in fact, most of the parts are the same in name and office. However, the parts are necessarily assembled very differently. In the square action, the hammers strike in a vertical direction, while in the upright they strike in a horizontal direction; the motion of the key being the same in both.
Of the three types, the square is the simplest action, as many of the parts seen in the upright and grand are entirely absent in the square.
Beginning with the key, it has its balance pin, guide pin, cushions, etc., practically the same as in the other types.
The bottom, or key rocker, is reversed in the square; the end transmitting the motion being nearest the performer.
The extension and wippen are absent in the square, as the jack is attached directly to the bottom or key-rocker.
The back check is screwed to the key, and as the hammer head rests against it after striking, the use of the contrivance called the back catch in the upright is unnecessary.
[Illustration: ACTION OF THE SQUARE PIANO.]
ACTION OF THE SQUARE PIANO.
A. Action Frame.
B's Indicate the Cushions, or Bushing, of felt, cloth or leather.
C. Balance Rail.
D. Balance Pin. Round.
E. Mortised Cap for Balance Pin. Bushed.
F. Key.
G. Lead.
H. Back Check.
I. Bottom or Key Rocker.
J. Bottom Screws; used to regulate height of Jack.
K. Jack.
L. Jack Spring; concealed under Bottom.
M. Center Pin to Jack.
N. Hammer Rail.
O. Regulating Screw.
P. Regulating Button.
Q. Flange Rail.
R. Flange. Split.
S. Flange Rail Screw.
T. Flange Screw, to regulate jaws of flange.
U. Hammer Butt.
V. Center Pin.
W. Hammer Stem or Shank.
X. Hammer Head.
Y. Hammer Felt. Treble hammers sometimes capped with buckskin in old instruments.
TOP ACTION OF SQUARE PIANO.
1. Damper Lifter Wire.
2. Damper Lifter Buttons.
3. Damper Felt.
4. Damper Head.
5. Damper Lever.
6. Damper Leads.
7. Shade, supported by wire stanchions, on top of which are screwed shade buttons.
8. Damper Rail. Tilted by Loud Pedal Rod which raises all the dampers simultaneously.
9. Damper Flange.
10. Flange Screw.
11. Damper Lever Center Pin.
THE TRAP ACTION
consists of Pedals, Pedal Braces, Pedal Feet, Pedal Rods, Roller Boards or Elbows, Studs, Plugs, Trap Springs, Wires and Lifter Rods.
The cut is from the French action. Nearly all square pianos in use at the present time are of this type.
The hammer rail in the square, in addition to serving its purpose as a rest for the hammers, also serves the purpose of the regulating rail, as you will see the regulating screw, with its button, attached to it. This rail is stationary in the square, not moving toward the strings and shortening the stroke as it does in the upright when