Infinitely CRAZY: Thursday Thirteen

Monday, August 11, 2008

Thursday Thirteen - More Piano Facts

Spinet pianos were made by Samuel Blythe as early as 1789 at Salem, Mass.

The term Grand was first used in 1777.

Abraham Lincoln used Chickering Grand #5070 while at the White House.

During 1869 the US produced 25,000 pianos valued at $7,000,000, during 1910 production was 350,000 pianos valued at $100,000,000 !

The term "Tickle the Ivorys" refers to playing the ivory keys of the piano, however, ivory has not been used to make piano keys since about the 1950's (they are plastic, sometimes referred to as "Ivorine").

That there are currently over 50 Brand Names of pianos?

During the past 100 years there have been approximately 5000 Brands of pianos placed on the market. Most are still on display in homes or elsewhere.

Pianos are made of thousands of pieces of wood glued together to form various parts of the playing mechanism as well as the cabinet. Felt, buckskin, paper, steel, iron, copper, and other materials are also used.

Don't forget to visit PianoSuppies.com for piano lamps, bench cushions, tuning equipment and more !
Or the Piano Book Store for great books about pianos .

Independent studies show that children who learn piano tend to do better in school. This is attributed to the discipline, eye-hand coordination, social skills building, learning a new language (music) and the pleasure derived from making your own music.

It should also be noted here that anyone considering a career in any facet of music should consider studying the piano . Many music schools require at least one semester of piano, regardless of your major.

Over the years there have been many attempts at "improving" the piano. One such experiment was to replace some of the wooden action parts with plastic. It didn't work, they cracked with age. (If you own one of these pianos, you might want to check out Piano Tuners to get it repaired or even Piano Dealers to replace it).
There were many other ideas that tried and failed including the Jensen piano which had 2 keyboards, a vertical grand, one that had a keyboard that was more like a typewriter and many others.

Spinet pianos were made by Samuel Blythe as early as 1789 at Salem, Mass.

The term Grand was first used in 1777.

Abraham Lincoln used Chickering Grand #5070 while at the White House.

During 1869 the US produced 25,000 pianos valued at $7,000,000, during 1910 production was 350,000 pianos valued at $100,000,000 !

The term "Tickle the Ivorys" refers to playing the ivory keys of the piano, however, ivory has not been used to make piano keys since about the 1950's (they are plastic, sometimes referred to as "Ivorine").

That there are currently over 50 Brand Names of pianos?

During the past 100 years there have been approximately 5000 Brands of pianos placed on the market. Most are still on display in homes or elsewhere.

Pianos are made of thousands of pieces of wood glued together to form various parts of the playing mechanism as well as the cabinet. Felt, buckskin, paper, steel, iron, copper, and other materials are also used.

Don't forget to visit PianoSuppies.com for piano lamps, bench cushions, tuning equipment and more !
Or the Piano Book Store for great books about pianos .

Independent studies show that children who learn piano tend to do better in school. This is attributed to the discipline, eye-hand coordination, social skills building, learning a new language (music) and the pleasure derived from making your own music.

It should also be noted here that anyone considering a career in any facet of music should consider studying the piano . Many music schools require at least one semester of piano, regardless of your major.

Over the years there have been many attempts at "improving" the piano. One such experiment was to replace some of the wooden action parts with plastic. It didn't work, they cracked with age. (If you own one of these pianos, you might want to check out Piano Tuners to get it repaired or even Piano Dealers to replace it).
There were many other ideas that tried and failed including the Jensen piano which had 2 keyboards, a vertical grand, one that had a keyboard that was more like a typewriter and many others.

"You can tune a piano, but you can't tuna fish"
Answer: Sure you can, you just adjust it's scales!. This was a joke

posted by The Crazy King of Clowns @ 4:26 AM

21 Comments:

Joyismygoal said…

I only know about Kimballs:> But we used to have a rare 80 key piano when i was a kid
greatfullivin said…

We bought a 1926 Chickering baby grand for our daughter. That was 30 years ago, and she still has it! Ivory keys and all. They are so white! Thanks for the info it was very interesting! Happy T13!
Nicholas said…

Very interesting. Thank you for that. Was Abraham Lincolkn actually able to play the piano? That is somethign about him I never knew before.
Susan Helene Gottfried said…

Interesting stuff here.
pussreboots said…

Another interesting list. Happy TT.
Lori said…

Great info. Thanks for sharing. Happy TT.
Raggedy said…

Very interesting.
Terrific Thursday Thirteen!
My TT is posted.
Have a wonderful day!
Happy TT'ing!
*^_^
(=':'=)
(")_ (")Š
Raggedy
MommyBa said…

Interesting facts! Thanks for sharing them :) For sure my siblings would be amazed at the history of the instrument they're all playing.

Happy Thursday!
damozel said…

Hee. I did not expect that finish.

I didn't realize that pianos were such complicated instruments or that Lincoln had one. Somehow not what I imagined.
Wolfie said…

I didn't know so much abt piano..
Janet said…

and what else is Salem, MA known for...Halloween!!! Great list, we used to have a baby grand, and I loved to dust that thing!
KC said…

interesting facts. I use to play, but it has been years and years now like maybe 15 or more. I wonder if I could still do it if I tried.
Happy T13
Holly said…

Ha ha - I like the follow up to the old "can't tuna piano" joke!

I'm definitely enjoying checking out all of these TT-13 sites. Thank you for your contribution.

Smiles,
Holly
Sparky Duck said…

wow, I did not know there were 50 brands of pianos. I know Steinway and thats about it
Lisa said…

Wow...thats more about Pianos than I ever thought I would know.
Sleeping Mommy said…

I really want to get a piano for my kids to learn on. Both sets of grandparents had/have them and I regret not taking one of them when the one set died....I just didn't have the room back then.

Happ TT!
Deb said…

Great Thursday post! I just posted my Thursday! Three in one!

WOO HOO!

DEB
ellen b said…

We have a chickering baby grand also. Interesting facts. Happy TT...
Jackie said…

VERY neat!!

Happy TT :)
Digital Flower Pictures said…

Thanks for the info. Great post.
bill said…

I have an old piano that has
'Lincoln New York' written on it.
Do you know anything about them?
Thanks

Monday, August 11, 2008

Thursday Thirteen - More Piano Facts

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