Did you Know?

- In 1888, Julius Bluthner developed and patented his now famous Aliquot system of employing a fourth string in the top sections to vibrate sympathetically.  In 1988 Bluthner changed the Aliquot patented system whereby the fourth string is now fastened directly on the bridge, this eliminated the brass post of the previous design.

- Irving Berlin, who could not read music, had a transposing piano that operated by a clutch mechanism, so he could "sample" his songs in other keys.  It shifted all the hammers.  The piano was an upright made by Weser Brothers in New York.  It is now on display at the IBM Musical Comedy Exhibit, IBM Building, 216 West 89 St., N.Y.

- J.J. Hawkins, Philadelphia, received a pianoforte patent in 1800, and was credited with having made the first upright piano in America

- The Historical Society of Pennsylvania has a Square made by Charles Albrect, Philadelphia 1789.

- F.M. Antisell, San Francisco, received patent for Wrest Plank, November 15, 1887.

- S. Hansing, New York received patent February 19 1889, for Muffler for upright pianos.

-  A 64th note is called a hemidemisemi quaver.

-  There are as many constellations in the sky as there are keys on the piano!

In the 18th century (around Mozart's time), some pianos had a knee pedal that has the same function as today's pedal but were operated with the knees.

The great pianist Anton Rubinstein has trouble getting up in the morning. Every morning Mrs.Rubinstein would wake him up by playing a dischord on the piano. Not being able to stand the sound, Rubinstein would run to the piano and resolve the chord properly, while Mrs.Rubinstein run to the bedroom and take all the sheets and blankets off the bed. That's how the day of the great Rubinstein gets started. - Victor Borge, My Favorite Intermission.

The average medium sized piano has about 230 strings, each string having about 165 pounds of tension, with the combined pull of all strings equaling approximately eighteen tons.

The oldest piano still in existence was built in 1720.

No one knows where Mozart is buried.

Each American president has had a personal piano -- with the exception of Gerald Ford and George Bush.

Mozart once composed a piano piece that required a player to use two hands and a nose in order to hit all the correct notes.

When Beethoven was writing his 9th symphony he requested a piano that had a percussion pedal on it.