This improves the stability and ease of tuning. A graphite paint on the surface allows the string to slide over the bridge smoothly when being tuned. The bridges are capped with a layer of resilient hardwood which prevents the strings from cutting into the surface. Often made of maple or laminated strips of maple and beech, the hard wood of the bridge provides high structual stability. CompositionĪ bridge must be heavily built to withstand the consistent pressure of string tension. The main benefit to this is a stronger, more powerful bass section. This also allows for longer strings in a shorter cabinet design. On a modern piano the two bridges are positioned so the strings will cross over each other (that is, they are overstrung.) The reason for this is to keep the strings in the central part of the piano, which is the most resonant part of the soundboard. Length of the bridge is proportional to the number of strings. The other is for the bass (thicker, copper wound) strings.
One for the treble and (thinner) tenor strings.
Without the bridge to transmit the string’s vibrations, a piano would not have the loudness of sound required.Ī ‘standard’ grand piano has two bridges.
The bridge inside a grand piano serves as the link that connects the strings, which are the source of the sound (or tone), to the soundboard, which amplifies the sound.
