How does a Grand Piano work? - Part 2

This part covers the three foot pedals and how they change the sound of the grand piano. We'll build off of part 1 and show you how the mechanism works inside the piano. Keep in mind that this video only covers the grand piano - the upright piano works differently.
This video has been dubbed in over 20 languages, you can change the audio track language in the Settings menu (click the gear icon in the lower right hand corner of the video).
Try dubbing your videos with AI: dittodub.com/a/jaredowen
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Music:
"Under Cover" by Wayne Jones (KZbin audio library)
Made with Blender 2.79
Here is some of the gear that I use for animation:
Graphics Card: GTX 1080ti amzn.to/2t70HN0
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Motherboard: Asus Prim Z370-A amzn.to/2t4EVth
Microphone: Samson Go Mic amzn.to/2GaSpvV
#grandpiano #music #b3d

[@Warhorse26]

I've been playing the piano for 10+ years and never knew that's what the middle petal was for XD

[@anthonyrobertson7062]

It's used for pieces like Rachmoninoff's prelude in C# minor, especially at the end, when low octives are held for a measure or two, but both hands must be used to continue playing chords in the treble clef. You can also use the sustaining pedal with it as well, to sustain and unsustain those treble clef chords, while those low octives continue to sound. Upright pianos have them too but they don't work as well. It sustains all keys from about middle C down. If there are any uprights that work like the grand pianos, I'm unaware of them.

[@pntkisama]

Warhorse26 In that case, you're playing wrong mate.

[@afar_build7032]

lol same

[@harryb7505]

Same, I always knew what the right one did and was always confused by the middle and left one

[@barretthoven]

SAME

[@kris2percent]

Whoever created the Grand Piano was a pure Genius!!!

[@multisontv]

Bartolomeo Cristofori =)

[@ViolinClassUSA]

the first piano concept was created by Bartolomeo Cristofori. It is nothing close to what the modern piano is today. All the upgrades that modern piano possesses (including all the pedaling, double repetition, etc) were created by German technicians and engineers.

[@poyax.]

This video is close to perfection. All it needs only is some sample sounds of how each mechanisms work.

[@mollyaustin676]

I'm an artist and came upon this video researching how I might draw someone playing a grand piano. This has helped me so much better understand the artistry behind the structure and mechanics of such a beautiful instrument and honestly I was completely engrossed the whole time.

[@JaredOwen]

Awesome! Glad that my video helped

[@gentlemansgazette]

Awesome video series that would have been even better if we could have heard how the sound changes with the different pedals.

[@JaredOwen]

Thanks! Yeah if I had better sound recording equipment I probably would have done that. Thanks for your comment

[@TheGheseExperience]

Haha Gentlemen’s Gazette, I hum that sax intro randomly a lot.

[@dmp5737]

Only 2 comments

[@nahidunkic2181]

@@JaredOwen 911

[@MiScusi69]

Why are you here, lol

[@zackorycramer3648]

The piano is actually quite mechanical.

[@antonman1234]

A lot

[@demef758]

And to think that the design is over 300 years old. We tend to think of people from three CENTURIES ago as being not so smart, but the design of the piano shows otherwise!

[@rafon.]

@@demef758 only truly illiterate people think that people were less smart back in the day.

[@Absurdword]

@@rafon. Don't be a dickhead. It could've been worded better but I took the comment to most logically mean "not so smart" from a knowledge standpoint, not actual intelligence. The most elite surgeons of the same time period had a 50% mortality rate because they didn't wash their hands. There's a reason why the piano wasn't invented by the Egyptians.

[@Sr.DeathKnight]

​@@Absurdword I think that Rafon is right. If you had mathematical formation, for example, you would know that Newton invented classical physics at that time and that you are unable to just understand what differential calculus is. You would also know that greeks 2500 years ago, had mathematical knowledge that you hardly understood at high school and that it made you suffer all of those years. And maybe you would even know that Romans 2000 years ago knew how to build 4 and more levels buildings that you just dream of doing because you can´t discover concrete by yourself and even if you buy the modern concrete, you cannot build it either. And you would know that astronomers 6000 years ago discovered the workings of the skies and you barely can name 3 of the 88 constellations that they named and PREDICTED how would they move and when the next eclipse would happen. And if you weren´t such an ignorant, maybe you would even know what this is: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antikythera_mechanism

[@CowanSong]

I just played parts 1 and 2 for my college class and they were so, so clear and helpful. Thank you. Excellent work!!!

[@JaredOwen]

Awesome! Glad to hear these videos were useful

[@AbstractPizza]

Hey Jared what if we press a three levers at once

[@thomasroberts8024]

Fantastic..... Terrific animation. Almost 77 years old, having spent the majority of my life dissecting and adjusting machinery of many kinds. I never knew about the piano. A reminder that mankind has been mechanically brilliant for a long, long time! THANK YOU for sharing your creativity.

[@Louinator59]

I wish they would have showed us this when I was a child. This would have made me more comfortable understanding how it works. A piano tear down would benefit most students, even if they do not play a piano. I have never looked at piano mechanics. BEYOND AWESOME VIDEO.

[@cdllc1956]

The guy who built a piano Was a Genius!

[@donaldthegreat5809]

it's not one guy......it was many people with many variations over a significant amount of time.

[@cdllc1956]

I mean the manifracturers

[@donaldthegreat5809]

@@cdllc1956 my bad

[@cdllc1956]

@@donaldthegreat5809 sorry my sentence Was Bad 😂

[@vikingpotet]

AND YOU WHO MADE THE GREATEST MUSIC WITH IT

[@mpm1204]

Jared, thanks very much….I’ve been playing the piano for a very long time (50+ years) and while I understood about what the pedals do for playing a piece, it was great to get an understanding of the mechanics and what’s happening. I just bought a used grand piano and needed to understand how things were working.

[@barbaramundinger8169]

I am 70+. When I was a child, I dreamed of learning to play the piano. I started lessons in grade 5 and even added organ playing in church for many years. I did not know many of the keys have 3 strings. Didn't know how the pedals work at all. This was an awesome simplified explanation for a nonmechanical mind. Thanks!

[@realervz9718]

A perfect animation that explains how a piano work entirely. Thanks for the effort!

[@bengolding1551]

The quality of this animation is unbelievable. So so good. And of course a very informative video!

[@joylauderbaugh4270]

This set of videos explained the inner works of the piano in easy to understand steps and visuals. This instrument is more complex than it appears! Thanks for posting.

[@heathertaylor-willockx3632]

Thank you! I was just doing online music education for school with my son at home. He had a question about how the piano works. You explained it better than my old music teacher did, and she was very good!

[@Cody_OConnell]

These animations are amazing. I've loved piano since I was a kid, I never knew how ingenious their internal working were until just now. Incredible

[@amystephensgroup]

Thank you so much, Jared! My entire piano studio (40 students) is really enjoying learning about the inner workings of the piano. Your videos are so well-crafted and thorough! Keep up the great work!!

[@JaredOwen]

Thank you for your kind words - I'm glad to hear my videos are useful!

[@suryahitam3588]

I've played the piano for years, but not until seeing this animation and your part 1 on the piano action did I ever truly understand what goes on under the bonnet of a grand piano. These two videos should be set viewing for anyone who has played for more than a couple of years. The animations were so clear and the explanations just so good. 8 odd minutes of my life I do not regret having spent on KZbin!

[@annrodgers6007]

I just watched both parts 1 and 2 of this andI am fascinated! I've been playing piano for over 60 years, and I never really knew about the actual mechanics of the piano. Thanks for teaching me something new about my beloved piano!

[@franklycuriousfc]

Jared, that's an Amazing work! I'm totally spellbound seeing your works. Thanks a lot for posting these videos on KZbin for free.

[@alexdiezg]

I knew all of this from before, but I'm glad that there's finally an animated educational video out on KZbin for everyone to see! Great job, Jared! Keep up the good work!

[@pboston6RR]

FANTASTIC! I lived with a baby grand that my father used to teach music. I had never had an explanation of how it worked, so the whole thing was a “black box” to me. You made my day!!! Thanks😊 Your animations are fantastic! There is magic in your mind, and joy in your voice.

[@pamelasmith7538]

Fantastic! I've been playing for >20 years - and now teaching - so wanted to get this additional detail about grand pianos. THANKS

[@sirmarkkevin954]

Didn’t know that grand piano was brilliantly engineered.

[@KitchenFSink]

This channel is so good, the animations are top-notch, aswell as the instructions. Brilliant!

[@siddharthupadhyay4246]

This requires an incredible amount of research and painstaking animation efforts, all coming together for masterpieces like these. Thanks Jared Owen!!!!!

[@edievaughan4378]

Such a complicated instrument and you explained it so simply. My father rebuilt one and I finally understand what he went through. Great job.

[@keithcitizen4855]

just amazing what can be done with animations- keep it going thanks

[@TheSaint135]

Absolutely amazing!

[@orangejuiceman]

I've known the functions of the piano keys and pedals for a while, but I was always curious about the full mechanics behind it that other videos don't fully explain. Thank you.

[@MinhPhamDesign]

As a motion designer and youtube creator myself, I really appreciate the amount of work you have to do for each of your videos. Great job!

[@ameywadadekar]

Nicely explained, thank you

[@conductor118]

I wish to see how does upright piano works.

[@Vince-245]

It works basically the same except that the hammers and strings are positioned vertically, hence the name upright. It is merely an adaptation of the musical device from a horizontal plane to a vertical one.

[@___Bruh__]

Vincent Dubyna also on an upright, the “soft” pedal separates the strings from the hammer with either felt or it drops the keys down so they can’t travel as far in order to have a quieter sound.

[@orangejuiceman]

Actually the soft pedal on the upright brings the hammers closer to the strings to mimmic the una chorda (soft) pedal effect on the grand piano, ironically actually giving it a softer tone on the upright, but not exactly on the grand piano (which is probably why it has that name). The middle pedal on the upright (if it has one) is what brings a felt down meant for practicing.

[@joefadgen]

The middle pedal on uprights also sustains only the bottom half of the notes

[@kathyjohnson2878]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/d56XqqyDfalmb80

[@Zarkdog7]

Jared thank you very much for this video I was a piano tuner and technician for 20 years and just watched it with my grandson James who is four years old and enjoyed this very much.

[@gaylegraening9928]

Jared, "Thank You" so much for making these 2 videos!! It is the best video I have seen and started using it for my class piano students for them to understand just HOW the piano actually works! KUDOS!

[@theodoreroosevelt9105]

Perfect

[@andrewkimtrumpet]

you are amazing

[@CatBlackGuitars]

I'm a guitarist but I'm fascinated by all musical instruments. I had no idea so much goes on inside of a piano. Thank you so much for this video.

[@attitudekilleroriginal]

This clears it all. I always tried understanding how it works and never found anything like this. Specially in the first video when you animated all those small parts. Thank you soo much for this.

[@Ribaleet]

You should make a video about a vinyl player!

[@ML-mr2sr]

My son plays piano.

[@orionharmon6017]

So do I, I'm a musician. I've been playing the piano since back in middle school but that's not all, I also play the flute and I played the tenor saxophone since back in 9th grade.

[@OHO33333]

Wow

[@louannrounseville1474]

Thank you for explaining how a piano makes music. I found your explanation concise, clear, and very interesting.

[@susanwu]

Wow, I never knew that much about how the piano works. This is super cool. I love how you put this together in animation so that I can see the inner workings of the piano. Excellent! Look forward to checking out your other animations!

[@bennywang5752]

It doesn’t explain how other keys can be pressed when the middle pedal is down; shouldn’t the bar block other dampers from raising when the pedal is pressed down?

[@CardZed]

@pyropulse It is felt, and the shape makes it slide over too.

[@bennywang5752]

Actually, I've realized what happens. The way the bar works, it not only prevents the already raised dampers from falling down again, it also raises the pressed dampers up slightly, so that they are above the usual height. So when other dampers are raised, they don't go as high as the ones raised by the middle pedal, but they still go up to normal height.

[@bennywang5752]

So, the diagram isn't accurate; the sostenuto bar should be pushing the dampers up, not stopping them.

[@pmj_studio4065]

@@bennywang5752 oh, thanks for the clarification! That was the only thing missing in the video and the one I came for:)

[@TheEmeraldSword04]

The dampers just don't go up as far, we saw how much space they had so with the rod in the way they still have clearance just they don't go as high.

[@mridulabiswasroy8013]

This video is really cool. I think it released to early because I thought it will release in 2024.

[@debwaldron361]

Thank you! I just finished reading Thad Carhart's "The Piano Shop on the Left Bank" (and loved it) and wanted a better idea of what he was describing. Your videos are clear and dynamic and exactly what I needed to see.

[@briansegool9366]

Excellent! I am working with an English language learner and reading about the piano. Your video makes the learning clear. Thanks!

[@emilybujor]

I used to think that the sostenuto pedal was a defective sustain pedal! 😂

[@sebastianzaczek]

3:43 you mean "soft pedal", right? Anyway, thank you for the Video, I play the Piano for about 10 years now and until now I never really fully understood how the pedal mechanisms work... 😀 Also, i just realized that the video was uploaded on my 16th Bday😁

[@JaredOwen]

Wow I think you are right! I hate it when I make big mistakes like that... BTW - happy 16 B-Day!

[@sebastianzaczek]

😃

[@skyguy1236]

I didn't even notice

[@gramarnazzi7841]

@@JaredOwen The "soft pedal" or the "una corda" pedal shifts the hammers so that they only hit one string. Una corda actually stands for "one string" Edit: that its what it has done in all of the grand pianos i've played anyway

[@littlefishbigmountain]

Gramar Nazzi And the reason it’s called “una corda” even though it strikes TWO strings, not one, is because when the una corda pedal was invented pianos didn’t have three strings per note but two, so when the una corda pedal was pressed it only struck one! :-)

[@jodyleeduek7180]

Things I didn’t know I was curious about until I saw the listing. Took the time to watch both parts. Very cool! I had no idea things were so complexicated inside a piano. Also, I discovered where the term “soft pedal” came from. Thank you,

[@worldofquestions5968]

This is incredible and exactly what I've been looking for!!! I've tried so many times to get a good explanation for how the sostenuto pedal works because it just seemed mechanically impossible to me given my knowledge of the damper mechanism. But your incredible animation and explanation makes it clear and it makes me appreciate even more how brilliant the design is!!!

[@kihunpark8669]

please animate how an upright piano work, and explain why it is inferior to a grand

[@microsoftice6498]

It is not inferior to a grand piano its just a little different

[@onepianist9378]

No it’s have just one difference is that you can play even when the key is not raised completely but the up right it can’t

[@shadowfire04]

@@microsoftice6498 it is very much inferior in pure technical terms. for example, the action return (how fast the keys come back up after you press them) will _never_ be as fast as a similar quality grand, due to gravity. there are numerous other problems too, but I'm typing on a phone and can't comfortably leave a paragraph. edit: spelling

[@bhsim2897]

@@shadowfire04 Watch this kzbin.info/www/bejne/n6fYlK2Ef7WomNE A Japanese guy has over come this problem.

[@kevinzhong5496]

the grand piano is of course better. It looks better, and it produces better quality of sound, since the lid is wide open

[@svis6888]

Jared, at 2:55 there are an piece who is brighter than other, and the red piece who sticking out is taller than other, why ?

[@waluigisbean3148]

Probably so it would stand out when all the other pieces were put back.

[@svis6888]

@@waluigisbean3148 maybe

[@adus2821]

c key, maybe?

[@svis6888]

@@adus2821 maybe

[@nicklausgutknecht6226]

If you slow the video down you can tell that it's a c key

[@Avalonanon]

Been using blender for about a year or so now and just found your channel. You have found a great way to use it, inspiring

[@Tatertot_Tommy]

These are BY FAR the most educational videos ANYWHERE. BAR NONE! Thank you.

[@CaliforniaandNevada]

3:41 you accidentally said damper pedal instead of soft pedal 😬

[@Snozeee]

ever wondered why electric is cheaper? but people still buy strings because it sounds better

[@yuyingchien6318]

The animation is very clear and sophisticated. Your voice is absolutely great as well. Thanks you for sharing!

[@kathrynevalentine4740]

Fascinating to be able to so clearly see and understand how a mechanical thing can make such beautiful sounds.

[@thebalauru3602]

Mine has only two pedal. It"'s an automatic

[@yoyoman_blue6485]

Nice

[@thebalauru3602]

Wrong. Left pedal is clutch Middle is brake Right is gas

[@yoyoman_blue6485]

*That's funny!!!!* That is FunNy!!! Why am i not laughing?!?😭 That's hilarious!!! 😭😭😭 Help me Hm hM helP Me HeLp Me please!!!!!!!!! I need heeeeellllppppppp!!!!!

[@LadyPelikan]

For an engineer, just starting to learn the piano, this really helps understanding! Now, just add some feeling, and we've got music. :-) Thanks for the great explanations!

[@LadyPelikan]

(I started learning the piano in February, but my teacher has shown me the left and right pedals. The middle over was a mystery, it I just forgot the explanations. Having seen the inside, all is clear, and I don't think I'll forget.)

[@LisaHall-vo5eu]

What beautiful animations, have been playing piano for years but wanted to find a clear explanation of what is going on when I do, and your videos are perfect, thank you!

[@milesnuneza9886]

whos here after watvhing the part 1?

[@thetreacherous7020]

Me

[@kurumrajesh]

Only after watching this video, I came to know about the different parts & its function in the Grand Piano.... Thanks for sharing this great information.... Keep up the good work...

[@floralim3329]

Phenomenal work here, Jared! Can't wait to share it with my students. Thank you.

[@sandeegeres8721]

That was a wonderful demonstration ... very informative. Have had a piano for over 50 years and never really knew the names or purpose of the pedals and was interesting to see how intricate the mechanism is to actually hit the strings once a key is pressed.

[@JaredOwen]

Thanks Sandee

[@jessicagaby3547]

I watched this with my son and we were both very interested to learn how the pedals work. And now he knows “that when one of the kinds of hammer things hits the strings, I know it makes a sound.” He loved your videos!

[@junetteschmitt5353]

Thank you for this concise and easy-to-understand description of how a piano produces the sounds it does!

[@matthewingro3951]

Thank you for the animation. I was struck with sudden curiosity of how a piano functions, and your video was the perfect explanation. Thank you very much.

[@clefnite]

I have been playing the piano for years but today I actually learnt what the middle pedal is for. Whoever created the piano is some genius

[@orionharmon6017]

Impressive mechanical equipments that's connected to the piano, now i know how a piano really works. 😊🎹🎼🎼🎼

[@NSDan247]

My daughter and I never understood how pianos worked before and this was so well done, we are enlightened, thank you!

[@JaredOwen]

Thank you for your kind words Nick!

[@kedargurjar7373]

My mind is super blown rn. Video was a perfection Jared.

[@swaroopr600]

Such a simple,superb way to explain the complex things, Thumbs Up

[@anishtravadi4761]

It takes a lot to understand it first and make an animation right the way u studied. Much much appreciation.

[@SUNNYM5786]

Wow! What an incredible explaination of the piano complexities - thoroughly enjoyed this!

[@Shizuka-awareness]

Brilliantly made. So much respect for the great minds that created this beauty. Thanks for the video's!!

[@timbabcox6581]

I'm about to start learning how to tune pianos and become a technician. I've been studying and learning all the parts of the action and how they work. It was helpful seeing a video that explained how the pedals work.

[@rickf2138]

Excellent explanation & video. I knew the basic actuation but your video filled in the details that actually make music happen. Super job.

[@bsixix5448]

this is so relaxing to watch and understand how the piano works, both at the same time. Thank You sir, for your beautiful explanation and amazing animation.

[@Simon_Electric]

That is very sophisticated craftsmanship. No wonder pianos are so expensive. Thank you so much for sharing!

[@amiranouji7708]

Short, clear and instructive. Thank you

[@Alberto-dc4dh]

Wow! Wonderful instrument and animation. Gave another perception of piano music and piano players.

[@dynamicgecko1213]

I wasn't expecting it to be this mechanical and complex. Thanks for the clear and informative animation my good sir.

[@JaredOwen]

Happy to help!

[@Danlondon1971]

Love this, so much detail and great graphics

[@aimanshafiq9582]

Thank you Jared for all the animation work and explanation

[@DROSTraceurADD]

Great video, pretty neat explained and animated, it's awesome! So much information in detail, love it.

[@musicchandra3441]

I’m just looking into learning piano and I must say your videos are super helpful!!! Very clear explanation and excellent animation!!! Thank you so so much!!!

[@AlexTheGreatish]

Been waiting forever for this! Thanks!

[@hdpurge2864]

I’ve been playing piano for about a year now and it’s really interesting to know how it all works! Great video 👍

[@JaredOwen]

Thank you!

[@kDrum01]

Just watched the 2 videos. Short, simple, show everwithing I needed. Thanks man

[@user-wz8od6hf2y]

I enjoyed watching both parts 1 and 2. I thought my piano students could gain more knowledge from watching these videos, so I made this activity part of their monthly assignment. I wish I would have been able to show them to my school students before I retired. Thanks for your hard work on this project.

[@sachinpatwardhan629]

Terrific animation. Good to c what's under the hood of the thing we play. Gr8.

[@aadhavjaimurugesh2734]

This is probably the most underrated channel there is... It’s just so good

[@agnaldofondo4013]

Wow! What a sophisticated technology. I didn't know at all. Thank you Jared, may God bless you.

[@ashwinberyl4552]

Wonderful explanation about the working of a Grand 🎹

[@JakeRosenzweig]

Very clear and simple explanations. Excellent animation! Thank you very much.

[@guruprasad1358]

What an amazing animated visual representation.. Thanks a lot for such clear & detailed explanation. 🖤🎶✨