The slippery path from piano key to string

Abstract

Everything that contributes to the excitation of a piano string, from key input to hammer–string interaction, is both deterministic and consistently repeatable. Sequences of identical experimental trials give results that are indistinguishable. The simplicity of this behavior contrasts with the elusive goal of predicting input–output response and the extreme difficulty of accurate physical characterization. The nature and complexity of the mechanisms and material properties involved, as well as the sensitivity of their parameterization, place serious obstacles in the way of the usual investigative tools. This paper discusses and illustrates the limitations of modeling and simulation as applied to this problem, and the special considerations required for meaningful experimentation.