88 Keys: The Making of a Steinway Piano

by Miles Chapin, Rodica Prato

The piano may well be the world's most versatile instrument, and the Steinway is the United States's most celebrated manufacturer. This handsome volume takes you inside the process of building a Steinway, from the selection of the woods (yellow birch, sugar maple, sugar pine, yellow poplar, Sitka spruce, and, for the exteriors, various hardwoods) through the construction of the soundboard and keyboard, from the manufacture of the piano's rim and case through the building of the metal harp that holds the strings, and to the final assembly and finishing. Along the way are sections on history and physics (good tone doesn't just happen) and a useful glossary. 88 Keys is a fascinating and eminently readable book for anyone with an interest in the art of the piano.

Genres: Music, Nonfiction

143 pages, Hardcover

First published September 16, 1997

Reviews

[Hobbitviolinist · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful and informative.

[minhhai · Rating 4 out of 5]

A somewhat self-promoting book on piano making. It is a pleasant read for those interested in piano. The book outlines the piano making processes from materials to assembly and voicing, with a bit of history (of the piano and of Steinway & Sons) and personal anecdotes.

I enjoy reading the book, its storytelling voice and beautiful illustrations. However, the information it provides is fairly general and well-known for piano enthusiasts, can be readily found on YouTube. I wish it could have more special treatments on Steinway pianos such as why Steinway does this and that but other makers don't. Some parts describing the procedure are very hard to follow due to lack of necessary illustrations. The chapter on Voicing is completely useless; the author keeps saying it is a magical process without providing detail.

Overall, the book is useful for those who are interested in but quite new to the making of pianos, one of the most complicated hand-made machines of our time.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful and complete history of Steinway pianos, going over their construction from the aging of the lumber to the voicing and finishing of the final instrument. One of the few library books I actually bought a copy of for myself.

[Lech Koper · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting process of getting the piano. Aspecially the part of cutting a timber for processing. Many details but believe not all secrets were describe it in the book.

[A · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was just what I was looking for. I was using it as research for a project I'm working on, and it was very straightforward, with a number of interesting tidbits that were completely new to me. I have a newfound respect for Steinway pianos and hope to own one someday!

[Julia]

Excellent quick study in the making of a great piano. Great history in piano-building, and photos and drawings of the first pianofortes, dulcimers, organs and harpsicords/clavicords.