How come some players play with the lid of the grand piano open, and sometimes its closed? Like every time i see Elton john play, its closed? i though it was meant to be open
2007-01-27 08:03:59 · 5 answers · asked by boogie 1 in Entertainment & Music ➔ Music
most of the time when its open it has a little less of a "boxy" sound. the air inside is free to move and theres a little more of a natural reverb to the sound. its just a preference though, either way is fine, and when you see someone on TV play, theres always a microphone in there somewhere (or several mic's) to pick up the sound.
2007-01-27 08:12:02 · answer #1 · answered by hellion210 6 · 4⤊ 0⤋
If your Elton John playing a gig you will have an electricpiano, in other words, it has strings, but they have pickups much like an electric guitar. It does not rely on the acoustics of the wood to project sound, but uses electricity. If you were playing in a classical concert however, where subtle nuiances of tone and sound dynamics need to be heard you would use an acoustic, grand piano which is not electrified, but possibly miked. Here the pianos sound relies heavily on its shape, type of wood, whether lid is open etc.
The same is true of guitars. Electric guitars can be any shape and some don't even have bodies (just a neck) as the sound comes from the strings via electric pickups. Acoustic or classical guitars soundsdepend on their shape/type of wood etc and they have a sound hole, which is where the sound resonates (perhaps akin to the open lid of the piano).
So there you have it. If Elton is on stage with his big grand piano it is largely an image thing (like his glasses) and does not have much effect on the sound at all. He may as well have a little diddy one.
2007-01-27 08:27:27 · answer #2 · answered by smudgeuk9 3 · 3⤊ 0⤋
A matterof accustics, especially on a concert grand. The lid acts as a muffle and partially deadens the sound - when open, the sound can be directed towards the audience. On an upright, though, the lid is much smaller and opening it has very little effect. Removing the front panel above the keys has a similar effect to the lid on the concert grand.
2007-01-27 08:16:29 · answer #3 · answered by Modern Major General 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you open the lid, the sound is louder from it. You can have it half open too for not quite as loud a sound. Grand pianos look better too if the lid is fully open.
2007-01-27 08:32:51 · answer #4 · answered by . 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It depends on the type of piano (upright pianos normally have lids closed)...and i think its also something to do with the acoustics/volume.
2007-01-27 08:10:48 · answer #5 · answered by Yvette 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋