Piano strings breaking

[computermatter10]

Hey everyone I was just curious. Piano, after, is classified as a string instrument I believe (I hope my theory's right!) and that other instruments like guitar and violin are no doubt string instruments as well. As you know, guitar and violin strings can snap and break, sometimes giving the performer minor injuries like cuts if they are unlucky enough to be close to the breaking.

I was wondering if it's possible for the strings in a piano to break. Especially a grand, think of how long those strings are! I bet I'd go blind if a piano string ever snapped at me. Anyways, please tell me if it's possible, and if it is, if it's very dangerous (probably not)

Thanks

[mdw]

Most of the time if they are going to break it will be during tuning and they tend to break near the tuning pin and shoot away from you towards the tail of the piano.

[NewAge]

Hey everyone I was just curious. Piano, after, is classified as a string instrument I believe (I hope my theory's right!) and that other instruments like guitar and violin are no doubt string instruments as well. As you know, guitar and violin strings can snap and break, sometimes giving the performer minor injuries like cuts if they are unlucky enough to be close to the breaking.

I was wondering if it's possible for the strings in a piano to break. Especially a grand, think of how long those strings are! I bet I'd go blind if a piano string ever snapped at me. Anyways, please tell me if it's possible, and if it is, if it's very dangerous (probably not)

Thanks

I’m no specialist but I look upon a general piano tune (performed 2 or 3 times a year) as a micro adjustment of the stings to bring the tone back into focus as it were, to achieve a pleasing sound. If performed by a qualified tuner, this should rarely result in a string breaking if the piano has been maintained in good condition.
If a piano has not been used or tuned for some time, a pitch change may well be required, and this procedure is often repeated to allow the strings to stretch and the new pitch to be retained. There is a potential danger with this, due to the risk of one or more strings breaking, and depending on the type and style of piano, some tuners may opt to wear eye protection. Pitch change is also sometimes performed for specific types of contemporary or period music.

I recall reading that some strings have been known to travel several feet after breaking – especially in the bass due to the elasticity of the string material. On a grand piano, I understand that the string would normally break away from the player.
Strings have been known to break during playing, and I’m told that on occasions this can sound like gunfire!
Vladimir Horowitz had a string break during a concert at Carnegie Hall in the 60’s. He was no doubt giving that piano a pretty hard time – playing Rachmaninov.

It may be interesting to hear from the experts - being on the sharp end of tuning (OUCH) - how often they have experienced string breakage.

[Gill the Piano]

I know a tuner who could have lost an eye had he not been wearing glasses when a bass string on a grand went at the hitchpin (bottom) end, and Bill on the History forum knows of a tuner who DID lose an eye - and if I rememer rightly, subsequently damaged the other - whilst tuning.
They do go with a hell of a bang but I'm often agreeably surprised that it doesn't happen more often during pitch raises. I often wish for a bottle of Prozac when doing a pitch raise...

[Barrie Heaton]

I know a tuner who could have lost an eye had he not been wearing glasses when a bass string on a grand went at the hitchpin (bottom) end, and Bill on the History forum knows of a tuner who DID lose an eye - and if I rememer rightly, subsequently damaged the other - whilst tuning.
They do go with a hell of a bang but I'm often agreeably surprised that it doesn't happen more often during pitch raises. I often wish for a bottle of Prozac when doing a pitch raise...

String going in a pitch Naa..... kids stuff I have had 3 frames go Now that's underwear changing time

One went with a whimper that was a vert. One that had just been restrung Now that did go with a bang as I was putting the strain on No action, no keybed and sat there with legs wide apart chipping up.

That last one was in a clients house and we were expecting it to go as it did have a crack in the frame but she did want it on pitch that just twisted then a dill thud.

Did get a string embedded in my leg when I was leaning to chip up, now that did hurt again legs wide apart sat up to the back on a little stool.

Barrie,

[chris_connelly]

Have to agree...piano stings can indeed break and the sound can be alarming! Never considered the possibility of injury though... Perhaps there is room for a piano/pianist health & safety inspectorate. Or the opportunity to decline playing any offensive instrument on account of not having safety goggles to hand!

[vernon]

I've had strings breaking ,generally at the wrest pin. One last week at the hitch pin but never had one fly.
I I've a vague memory that Mr stockbridge in Canterbury many years did lose an eye tho' that may be apochrypal.
I've only ever had a frame go and that went bang with no other effects.

[mdw]

If im raising a grand I tend to lay the desk across the frame leaving enough space to work but it should catch anything coming back at me. I seem to remember at Newark in the tuning booths some one got clipped by a bass string breaking at the tuning pin and bouncing off the booth wall back at him. I guess I get 5-6 strings break during tuning in a 12 month period. 50% of those you can guess one will break as the piano will have 5-10 nice odd shiny string already.

[jim s]

I've a vague memory that Mr stockbridge in Canterbury many years did lose an eye tho' that may be apochrypal.

Just thought I would clear that one up. My father definitely had both eyes intact throughout his life. It was old Mr Carstairs who had lost an eye through a string breaking. I don't remember which one though, and it didn't seem to stop him driving!

[vernon]

Hi there!
Are you able to tell us the circumstances of Mr Carstair's accident?

Vernon (ex Canterbury)

[jim s]

Hi Vernon,
I'm affraid I never asked how Mr Carstairs had the accident.
I was told at Welmars that they had experimented with hitch pins that were cast into the iron frame. These would let go with no warning at all, firing the hitch pin into the ceiling so they had abandonned that idea pretty quickly.

[Colin Nicholson]

Hi everyone
Just read all your anecdotes re: strings breaking - brings back memories!
I once re-strung a Schiedmayer grand - about 12 years ago now, and when I started to loosen the tension off the bass strings, a few of them flew across the room like a crossbow & arrow! I think just by disturbing the rusty old coils in whatever direction I turned the lever broke off the knuckles just as they entered the wrest pin...... no goggles though - but a nice heavy blanket to cushion the rest!!

CN

[pianotechman]

Colin Leverett was pulling up a newley strung Bluthner style 4 when I was in the Perivale workshop, and the frame went, We thought someone had thrown a bomb through the window!......new pants/knickers all 'round Barrie!