Research and development on the piano

Applications of scientific methods and electronic instrumentation techniques to the study of a nonelectronic musical instrument are discussed. It is shown how findings obtained have resulted in better understanding of the physical basis for tone generation and modification, leading to improvements and evaluations based upon engineering principles rather than upon empirical methods of the past. Physical and psychological aspects are presented in terms of communication engineering concepts. The nature and characteristics of piano tone are described, as well as other phases of this unique field of "musical engineering."