Around 1760, Johannes Zumpe built the first English square piano in London (later known as the “grand square piano”). Not long after that, Broadwood in London and Erard in France also built similar ones. Johann Behrend of Philadelphia displayed his square guitar in 1775. These square guitars have a slightly weak tone and cannot be compared with the large pianoforte (the one with a wide lid). In addition, square pianos do not have a lift mechanism and their hammers cannot continuously knock on strings.
In addition, the hammers, made of small pieces of wood with a thin leather layer, were the same size even though they had to strike the largest bass strings. Many of the leading American piano companies built large square pianos for decorative purposes throughout the 1800s, including Chickering, Knabe, Steinway and Mathushek. Although there have been some changes in piano construction over the next 75 years, the square piano continues to dominate the market, especially in America.
See more at: Her soul belongs to music and piano everytime she plays she is home poster
