Thank you!

It is not out of tune! This is what 18th century pianos sound like

I would guess that because it is so old, tuning it could cause damage, perhaps.

There was a fabulous collection of keyboard instruments you might have visited called “Finchcocks” (near Goudhurst in Kent) owned and curated by Adlam Burnett. Reproduction keyboard instruments were also made there. Derek Adlam, (the Royce in partnership with, the Rolls being the fine player Richard Burnett) whose recordings are currently on U-tube, was previously the curator of the Colt Collection (near Bethersden in Kent) of early keyboard instruments. Perhaps you have visited these in their day. Sadly I know for certain that “Finchcocks” has been disbanded. I’m uncertain of the fate of the Colt Collection. Both were extraordinary in their day and in England. I wish You luck. RAHG

The land mass we call America existed long before the USA came into being.

@@SimonBrouwer Oh... I thought George Washington invented America

or, the New World or the North American British colonies

@@warriorson7979No. that was the Continental Congress which declared Independence. George Washington was the General of the Continental army.

All very good, Google-worthy questions....🧐🎶🎹

Glad you think so!

To make a quieter sound

Fewer strings struck?

Our pleasure!

It really is!

No such thing as better. Each has their merit. All comes down to which you enjoy listening to more.

Dear @scottshepard345 @GrotarianSeller is absolutely right. Which is better is a matter of choice. The fact is that many modern instruments have altered from the original instruments that were current when historic composers were alive, and that their contemporary audiences would have been used to hearing. This is largely because concert halls are larger and so are orchestras. Volume is needed to carry throughout large venues (not to mention the acoustic deadening of more people in the audience). The stringed instruments have achieved this by being altered extensively, structurally, from original instruments with heavier strings (and changing strings being made from gut to steel strings in the case of bowed instruments. In the case of plucked stringed instruments changing them from gut to nylon). Modern pianos have steel “skeletons” to take the increased string tension and I am pretty sure that there are no quality violins which are as the original maker built them. They have been dismantled and given heavier bass bars and sound posts as well as being renecked at a steeper angle because they have been refitted with taller bridges. With instruments of extreme monetary value returning them to original design (if we know for certain what that is), known as rebaroquing, is considered out of the question regards “investment value”. Hence the demand by early music performers for reproduction instruments built to “original “ specifications. There are some historic instruments, particularly keyboards, restored to playing condition. These are valuable insights into originality. It’s a fascinating subject and if you’re interested and want to know more do read publications such as the Galpin Society journal and Early Music magazine. As for which is better? The Early Music Movement started, to my knowledge, as part of the Arts and Crafts Movement. Here in England we had Arnold Dolmetch (everyone in England is familiar with the Dolmetch plastic school recorder). He himself came from the continent (Germany or Switzerland, I forget). Arnold Dolmetch was indeed contemporary with William Morris; the leading light of the Arts and Crafts Movement, though Dolmetch was a little bit younger. The whole effort was a reaction to the overwhelming and dehumanising effects of the changes to society wrought by the industrial revolution. In music, as venues became larger and orchestras grew in number, similarly there is a school of thought that the increased power and volume of modern music was equally overwhelming and that the intimacy of music as performed at the time it was originally composed, and as audiences were then used to listening to it, was destroyed. Put simply its about “less is more “. I strongly recommend that you decide what you yourself prefer, starting with Utube, by comparing performances on modern instruments, of now historic composers, with performances by Early Music musicians on “authentic “ instruments. Thereafter graduate to going to live concert performances (if they are available to you locally)of both and get involved in the great debate as to what is truly authentic! Opinions vary and some compromises have to be made. Avoid the ultra puritanical Early Music aficionados who even decry the Romantic Era let alone Stravinsky! I rather enjoy Mendelssohn and Schubert and Stravinsky’s Rite of Spring wouldn’t sound much on “Authentic Instruments”; perish the thought! Do you know my wife was a Punk in her youth and took me to a Strangler’s concert recently! Quite an experience. Peaches was great and I did actually enjoy myself. Mind you, next time she takes me to a rock concert I’m taking ear defenders! Another reason to compromise is that musicians have to play to large audiences in order to make a living. As for gut strings; well yes they are beautiful………so long as they are in tune, which in my experience isn’t very long. I once went to a concert on a gut strung instrument and found the continuous tuning (between every piece and even during the piece) tedious to the point of being maddening! Play the field, but most of all music is to be enjoyed. Find your own passion. Have fun, RAHG 🎉❤

What fascinating stories. Martin is in Lititz, Pa and David Tannenberg made organs at Lititz. The tune played at the beginning is The Ash Grove, a traditional tune from Wales. Very fitting!