The Fascinating World Inside of a Piano

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/ nahresol
Recently I was lucky enough to get a top notch piano technician -- Damon Groves on camera to explain all kinds of things related to how pianos work from the inside, how pianos are made, the different parts of the action, how to care for your piano, etc.
Damon is the Head Piano Technician at the Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto. He has been maintaining and rebuilding pianos for the past twelve years. He has had the pleasure of working with many of the world's best pianists including Lang Lang, Alfred Brendel, Chick Corea, Pierre-Laurent Aimard, Helene Grimuad and Yuja Wang.
Here are the timestamps for your reference.
(If viewing on a smartphone or tablet, find the timestamps in the pinned comment).
00:53 All of the different parts of a piano action
01:43 Basic key mechanism
02:21 The art of voicing
06:33 The bump at the bottom of the keys (single escapement)
07:46 How dampers work
08:46 Parts that wear out faster
10:04 Ideal conditions for pianos (temperature and humidity)
11:13 Ideal locations for pianos (what not to do)
12:44 How to make the touch lighter or heavier
16:20 How to clean your piano
17:37 New pianos
18:38 Adjusting pianos vs. adjusting TO pianos
19:35 How often you should tune pianos
20:10 Smaller vs. larger pianos
21:17 Advantages of playing on a grand piano
22:59 Tips when looking for a used piano
25:07 Pedals
25:59 The sostenuto “middle” pedal
29:28 Final thoughts
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As always, thank you so much for watching, and thank you to all of you that leave comments.

[@tanyab7318]

I'm glad there are people who are experts in this detail.

[@AndyChamberlainMusic]

if there weren't we wouldn't have any new pianos haha

[@pruiz8432]

Piano Makers: Am I a joke to you?

[@AdamNeely]

I finally know how the sostenuto pedal works. I didn't know I needed to know that. But I very much am glad that I did. Amazing video!

[@maestrotheoretically519]

Yes. Adam, I use the Sostenuto pedal a lot in composing for a cool effect but, how could I get the same muted sound on a bass. Jazz out.

[@seiph80]

BASS!

[@MartinBurtonGuitar]

Same! I always wondered how it works, but never had access to a piano with it that I was in a position to "investigate". For some reason people don't take kindly to having their pianos dismantled by an amateur :D

[@sebastian-benedictflore]

lol, nice to see you here Adam

[@OutfitCornwall]

Haha yeah good to know!

[@RhettShull]

This makes my guitar rig look like a child's toy.

[@avjake]

Not so sure about that. The hammers on a guitar have taken millions of years of evolution. : - )

[@rainepenny7900]

That’s because guitars are toys :D (jk)

[@78tag]

Rhett - obviously Djesse penny has never dealt with a pedal steel guitar. :)

[@francoisvillon1300]

It is a child's toy indeed.

[@NN-sp9tu]

@@francoisvillon1300 You're a complete moron

[@RickBeato]

Not only a fascinating video but a great soundtrack as well!

[@crafalgar9719]

Hey Rick ! How about you do a video of the same type with bass/guitar maintenance ? Anyways, great content, keep it up !

[@NahreSol]

Thank you Rick!!

[@seiph80]

Loved this! The piano mechanism and action is fascinating!

[@flutechannel]

Couldn't have said it better Rick.

Yeah, especially the vibraphone (?) one.

[@NahreSol]

Timestamps for smartphone viewers -- 00:53 All of the different parts of a piano action 01:43 Basic key mechanism 02:21 The art of voicing 06:33 The bump at the bottom of the keys (single escapement) 07:46 How dampers work 08:46 Parts that wear out faster 10:04 Ideal conditions for pianos (temperature and humidity) 11:13 Ideal locations for pianos (what not to do) 12:44 How to make the touch lighter or heavier 16:20 How to clean your piano 17:37 New pianos 18:38 Adjusting pianos vs. adjusting TO pianos 19:35 How often you should tune pianos 20:10 Smaller vs. larger pianos 21:17 Advantages of playing on a grand piano 22:59 Tips when looking for a used piano 25:07 Pedals 25:59 The sostenuto “middle” pedal 29:28 Final thoughts

[@Jean_Pierre888]

Thank you!

[@Bati_]

Nahre Sol Thank you Nahre! It is very kind of you.

[@arc1105]

🎹🕐📝😎

[@pedterson]

Amazing video! Learned so much! Thank you! And the fact that you timestamped it, shows so much regard for the time of your viewers. So thank you again!

[@phir9255]

I wish more youtubers would make videos with timestamps!

[@LrdVnm]

Hello Nahre, I'm Rick, a third (and last) year student at the HMC in Amsterdam, studying to be a pianotechnician just like Damon. Seeing this video pop up in my recommended instead of the usual videogame related stuff was a beautiful surprise and I love how in-depth the information went! It's like my whole school career condensed into 30 minutes instead of three years. Often when I open up a piano to tune or regulate, people respond with awe and a "I've never seen the inside of my piano!", which both gives me the happy opportunity to introduce them to the inner workings but also saddens me a little that such a popular instrument still harbours so many secrets from its most loyal fans. So I'd like to extend an honest and heartfelt *thanks* for this video. It has earned you a new subscriber :) All the best!

[@JohnRuggero]

I'm also a concert piano technician. Great video! This guy sounds like me talking Haha. Piano technicians revel in anonymity. If I go to tune for a concert no news is good news. A call from the concert hall is never the artist complementing you on what an amazing job you did. 😁 but with experience you get very good at eliminating issues that will often be noticed by the artist. I find satisfaction in being the unsung part of a concert. A well prepared piano can make or break a performance both for the artist and audience. I love my job and I hope that us aural tuners don't become a thing if the past!

[@greggraham4114]

I am a piano technician, and expected to catch the tuner saying something wrong, and gleefully shouting "Ah-HA!", but instead found that I agreed with everything he said. Very well done!

[@VladK-1]

It's great to hear! I wonder about some more details e.g. about the soundboard and about the grand-vs-upright piano mechanism differences but I guess it would have been x2 longer video in that case.

[@pianist9]

The best ever video about piano mechanism!

[@NahreSol]

Thank you!!

[@ariebirb]

My family has a really big grand piano that exposed its insides when open. I remember when I was a kid spending hours when not playing staring at the inside and watching the hammers bounce, counting the strings. I completely forgot until I saw your video and I got thrown back. I was a quiet kid with not many friends, but I vividly remember this. I remember it.

[@agento86]

A very informative and for me, a nostalgic video. As a youngster in the late 70's, my mother was a music teacher at a high school, taught piano and violin at a local piano store, and was responsible for the home schooling of piano lessons for my siblings and myself. We had an old rustic baby grand Wurlitzer in our home studio. From time to time she would tune the piano and pull the keyboard out. I remember being completely mesmerized by all the moving parts. The topic of temperature and humidity regulation is really applicable to all stringed instruments. I grew up in a large Victorian house in Washington and our home studio had two walls that were all windows. I remember the piano, an orchestral pedal harp, and various other stringed instruments in there. It was the only room in the house in which the hardwood floors were completely covered in carpet. During the colder months and in winter, those two windowed walls were covered with blankets to help regulate the temperature and offset condensation. We, my siblings and I, were often scolded for leaving the doors open in the studio. Gahhh!!! Too much nostalgia! Time to call mom and dad and check in. :D

[@malcelinho]

0:53 one of the few times I had to slow down a video lol

[@mykolas3587]

This video is gold for piano community. Thank You Nahre Sol for such a wise use of a platform, and Damon Groves for a very down-to-earth overview on piano and maintenance. P. S. It's hygrometer :)

[@seiph80]

Now THIS is interesting!

[@vincentneale2620]

I am a pianist who became a Piano Tuner / Technician worked for over 40 years in the trade- Every pianist should have knowledge of the instrument they play.

[@zain4019]

vincent neale That’s so cool! It sounds like a very interesting job:)

[@jcwpiano]

This video may just be the best video on KZbin at this moment with regards to the intricate insides of pianos...great job putting this together!

[@NahreSol]

Thank you!!!

[@irar4332]

This was so informative! I've been playing the piano for more than 1/2 a century and never knew most of this. Thanks for posting.

[@TLMuse]

I'm not a pianist (guitarist), but this is fascinating anyway! Thanks for this, Nahre. -Tom

[@NahreSol]

Thank you for watching!! 🙏

[@instrumentenfreak]

I'm so glad I found your channel! There is so much put into this videos ... I love it!

[@GrantJackson70USD]

I find your videos calming. Thank you.

[@erichwill]

Absolute brilliant video. Thanks for taking the time to show us!

[@davidbedard7195]

How lovely to listen to you two interacting and to watch Damon consider each of your questions with such care before beginning to answer. And the wealth of information he provides . . . . thank you!

[@cx6235]

Can't stop admiring how physics and music blend together to form something so beautiful. I am also always amazed by your great work and the effort you put into it. Happy new year! Thanks for such a nice video :)

[@richardbloemenkamp8532]

Nahre and Damon, you made an excellent video presentation! There is a lot of very clear, detailed and well-explained technical information in this video.

[@TheGuyKirby]

Thanks Nahre - excellent video. Great to understand how everything works in a grand piano in detail, absolutely fascinating and I like the calm and knowledgeable way that Damon explained everything.

[@RobinYerah]

Nahre! This is such an amazing video! Loved the way this was edited and the calming background music. Learned so much in just half an hour. Time literally flew by watching this! Thank you so much for this. 🙏🏾 Damon is also such a lovely and likeable man explaining everything with care. 😊

[@NahreSol]

Thank you so much!! I really appreciate it 🙏🙏🙏

[@tubacious]

Thank you Nahre - been waiting for this new video. Great information

[@RYK05130]

Love this video!!!!! This is so educational and eye-opening. Probably the best piano anatomy and mechanics video I have seen. Your interaction with Damon makes the video very enjoyable to watch, in addition to great, amazing and useful content. THANK YOU!! Good luck in your music career.

[@usvalve]

This is a first-class video - beautifully made, intelligent and comprehensive. I found it both interesting and enlightening, and now understand how that middle pedal works. You've even given us timestamps and info on the recording equipment. Thanks, Nahre!

[@islingr111]

That was a great video. I really loved that relaxing style!

[@travenator16]

This is so great! Thank you so much for this, it's incredible to think about how much genius engineering and thought went into the development of this instrument. So glad i found this channel!

[@NahreSol]

Thank you!!

[@mario_actually]

Amazing amazing video. So interesting and in such nice chill atmosphere. Great job Damon!

[@scottnoyes7516]

Thank you sooooooooooooooo much. I learned a lot and enjoyed the video. After watching it once, I am ready to watch it again. What a team! Please keep going.

[@andreamundt]

Good to see you again !! I will now watch this video for the second time in a row -

[@amcsdmi]

This video is so chill and informative at the same time. Thanks!

[@peebrain69]

Thank you for taking the time to make this video. I'm with others, I finally know how the sostenuto pedal works!

[@braydenk.8348]

This is so cool, Nahre. Thanks for putting so much thought into this video.

[@Darkosa1234]

Simply the best video about how piano works in detail. Thank you!

[@mwflanagan1]

Very informative and thorough. Thanks, Nahre and Damon.

[@aadhityaanu]

Such complex links and mechanisms. As an engineering student who plays the piano(well, keyboard) this was such an eye opener for me. I am a mechanical engineering student and learn all sorts of links and mechanisms about various machine equipments and i think there should atleast be an elective for musical instruments haha

[@Bati_]

Finally! I was waiting for that moment! New upload from you! Thanks Nahre!!! It’s an incredible insight into the piano, thanks for providing this video! Greetings from Turkey and big love and respect! The new subtitles are amazing and footnotes are very useful as well, as always you provide top-notch quality content! 😊 PS. The background music is fantastic, absurd and video-game like :)

[@NahreSol]

Thank you so much!! And happy new year to you!!

[@Bati_]

Nahre Sol Happy new year to you as well, you’re welcome 💛

[@VladK-1]

Thank you for a great interview! This is exactly what I was recently thinking about to learn! KZbin surprised me once again as I didn't search for it and it just appeared in my recommendations. Sostenuto mechanism certainly blows my mind!

[@Eleanna4fun]

Incredible video. I have been playing for a while, but I never put much thought into how it actually works. Only what I could see from opening the cover. I will keep coming back to this, there's so much to learn from Mr. Groves. And thank you Nahre for making all of this possible!

[@OnlyARide]

Damon is so knowledgable and presented all the information thoughtfully and eloquently! And with such a silky, pleasant voice!!! I want to watch this video all over again just to keep listening to him talk!

[@idnemgk]

Love it! Perfect fit keyboard music and essential keyboard healing/tinkering. It is quite amazing, all the things that go into making a piano work. Thank you and Damon for this video!

[@jconwaypritchett3906]

Love the videos, keep them coming, thanks Nahre!

[@zdbarnett]

This is a magnificent video. Like you, I've been playing piano for 20+ years and have never taken much time to think about EXACTLY how the mechanisms work and what parts affect tone. Thank you so much!

[@carolinestevenson5696]

Loved this video, especially the middle pedal description and close up. Very easy fellow to listen to. Great

[@splashesin8]

This is wonderful! Thank you Damon and Nahre❣️

[@NahreSol]

Thank you Audrey!-

[@cognishn]

By far the coolest the episode yet. Thorough and well put together!

[@NahreSol]

Thank you!!

[@guitaricet]

Never expected to watch a 30 minute how piano works video. But I did and it was amazing 🤩

[@hashtagdag]

Happy New Year to you, Nahre! Another great, informative video. Thank you so much!

[@NahreSol]

Thank you!! Happy New Year to you as well!!

[@alanbarends158]

This is a very informative post, Nahre. Thanks for posting & thanks for sharing your expertise in a very clear understandable language, Damon

[@HaiTran-bp5cv]

Two persons both are extremely knowledgeable and humble at the same time. Thanks for the educational video

[@junonoswald3607]

real huge thank you to you and Damon for this video. At first, i thought it would be just on surface, but quickly it went deeper. This knowledge is usualy a secret from piano technician. I learnt a lot I must say it as well for the other video you did, like "how to compose like...Satie" I suscribed directly to your channel and i m so happy i did.

[@Aurelian76]

Absolutely amazing. Thank you both for this. Cheers from Toronto.

[@rabendranath]

This video was quite amazing, I'm impressed at the techincian's total command of the instrument, the graphics are always helpful and spot-on and I found the soundtrack quite immersive and stimulating. This is Nahre firing on all cylinders ;) Great job!!

[@arc1105]

Fantastic Nahre Sol. Brilliantly explained Damon Groves. I've never seen the inner workings of a piano before. Thanks for the colored circles. Love these documentaries Nahre Sol. Learned a lot. Piano knowledge is musical power. Can't what to hear what you'll create now that you've seen the middle pedals mysteries. Happy days Nahre Sol, as you enjoy your adventures. 🙏

[@NahreSol]

Thank you so much 🙏 and Happy New Year to you!!

[@mjohnlucen8577]

Very informative! Loved it! Thank you for sharing this. ❤

[@thomasm.5564]

This was great, thanks to you both!

[@NestorMandela]

Super interesting!! He seems to love his work and that surely resonates on his craftmanship. Thanks a lot for taking your time to enlight us with your wisdom! :D

[@YourMakingMeNervous]

I think your video making style is excellent! The questions come up right as you naturally ask them, and the dynamic captioning as the information comes along is so easy to follow along with. I have a learning disability so I can't explain how much I appreciate that.

[@TeagueChrystie]

This is amazing. Thanks to both of y'all.

[@NahreSol]

Thank you!!

[@switterbeet]

Very amazing video, thanks alot for showcasing the piano like this

[@pavelr3119]

This video is fantastic! Very informative!

[@gavinmcgraw]

I've been thinking about making a video like this to address the most common questions i get from my clients. But you and Damon may have saved me some work!

[@kennyfrien-i]

This was a great refresher on this subject for me. As usual, you knocked it out of the park on the whole presentation, turning a potentially boring topic into a fun watch. Thanks Nahre (and Damon)!

[@NahreSol]

Thank you so much!!

[@yoverale]

Thanks nahre! Amazing video

[@Class1225]

Excellent! Fascinating describes this perfectly, thanks so much for sharing!

[@lexsmith8689]

this was so far the most vigorous and detailed description I´ve ever been given.. Masterful work Sir..

[@andreovski80]

This video was amazing! So much informartion about this fascinating instrument! I love it! Thank you very much!

[@supersonicchef]

Thank you for such a thoughtful & informative video. Much appreciated. Both you & Damon are wonderful!

[@kamiltamiola2066]

This is simply fantastic. Thank you so much for all your effort and making this (I dare say) 'micro documentary' on voicing available to us.

[@skane3109]

You bring us to places few venture. This is a beautiful and unique gift of yours. Thank you Nahre Sol 🎹

[@tubularap]

Thank you for this deep dive ... just what I was looking for.

[@stevezivin3283]

Thank you Nahre and Damon! I've been playing for decades and I only "sort of" knew how piano mechanism worked before watching. Great questions asked and answered with great clarity. It is weird, but perhaps understandable, that so many of us pianists don't really know how our instruments really work beyond a superficial level----It's definitely complex, but important and useful knowledge to have.

[@skane3109]

You bring us to places few venture. This is a beautiful and unique gift to your listeners. Thank you Nahre Sol 🎹

[@georgiaguardian4696]

Wow! The video delivers so much knowledge! Thank you!

[@phillippowell7905]

Wow. The was utterly fascinating and answered a bunch of questions I didn't know I had. Thank you

[@kwzat]

One of those videos that quietly and gently makes me feel smarter, better, wealthier, happier. Amazing. Thank you!

[@j.vonhogen9650]

This is an excellent video! Thanks a lot!

[@fixedpointfunky]

So psyched that you are getting into this -- I took a piano tech class at university and it really changed me as a composer. Can we look forward to some videos on tuning systems next?

[@rubyppower]

SUPER interesting video! Aside of the actual subject of video (which was amazing), I also love your editing style and the relax vibes you bring to the video. Great work! ✨

[@NahreSol]

Thank you so much!!!

[@ThePianoFortePlayer]

Thanks for sharing this with us

[@David-R.]

What a GREAT educational video for pianists!! This is by far THE ABSOLUTE BEST video on how a piano works!! I only watched 8 minutes so far and I'm amazed!! Thank you. great Idea for a KZbin video as well.

[@thierryruquier9416]

I am not a pianist, but I found this video really amazing. Thank you for showing all those details and giving us an insight to the "hidden side" of a piano. Greetings from a french fan.

[@UtsavLal-Ragapianist]

Great video, helped me troubleshoot and fix some issues on an old beat up piano. Damon is really clear with all his explanations!

[@HazeAnderson]

Oh nice! Thank you for this. And Happy New Year! :)

[@NahreSol]

Thank you Haze!! Happy New Year!!

[@jorgevargas8631]

A great video! Thank you for it, and thanks to Mr. Groves for his kind explanations and advices.

[@Lamadesbois]

Thank you both for this greatly detailed video.

[@MrJdsenior]

Very good video. I've seen the actions pulled, but never looked at them to anywhere near that degree of depth. Enjoyed it. I never did know how that sustenuto pedal worked, now I do.

[@flutechannel]

Music Instrument appreciation at its finest.

[@NahreSol]

Thank you!!

[@flutechannel]

No problem, I can appreciate the doc form and the time it takes. Worth the wait! Hope you had a great holiday and new year. Now onward with 2019! @@NahreSol

[@dwilliams4142]

So awesome!!! Thanks for sharing!!

[@joechip1232]

Awesome video, awesome music, and fun graphics :D Happy New Year =D

[@Bennymoth]

Sucha quality and vital video for understanding. ty so much for making it 🎶🎶

[@margaretstewart3255]

I love mechanics of all kinds and this was a fascinating and instructive and inspiring video compounding my amazement of what a piano IS ... I will never again question why a piano costs whatever it costs. Just thanks, Narhe. I will watch this again and tell my friends about it, too.

[@eclipto9806]

I've watched a few videos on this topic over the years but none where the explanation is done so well. Also, you asked great questions that I have asked in regards to my own piano and its sound. Maybe there is hope for it yet.

[@andrecirillo]

Amazing. Very instructive, 30 minutes of pure and relevant information.

[@thomaslau9631]

This is the best video about the anatomy & physiology of upright and grand piano. Thanks for the part that differentiates heavy versus light actions. Good explanation.

[@ValseMelancolique]

Excellent video and questions! Thank you for the time stamps, too.

[@NahreSol]

Thank you!!