MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS— THE PIANO-FORTE. 493 



in recent years through the introduction of an improved grand- 

 action principle, and a system of stringing, which are illustrated. 

 They are sparing no expense or pains in their efforts to improve 

 the character of their instruments, and such sacrifices are entitled 

 to acknowledgment. Their grand-action improvement assists the 

 production of fine graduations of tone in performance as well as 

 prompt repetition, while 

 their method of string ad- 

 justment has been adopted 

 with a view to rendering 

 the instrument more ca- 

 pable of staying in tune, 

 as well as for the purpose 

 of tone development. This 

 is applied to both uprights 

 and grands. 



James & Holmstrom, of 

 New York, have recently 

 patented and introduced a 

 " transposing key-board " 

 into their uprights, which 

 is receiving considerable 

 notice from artists. It is 

 an ingenious adaptation 

 of the ordinary key-board, 

 by which the piano-per- 

 former may change the 

 pitch at pleasure. Though 

 the idea was anticipated 

 a century ago, and frequently experimented with, it was reserved 

 for Mr. Andres Holmstrom, of the above firm, to apply it with 

 success. It is a great boon to vocalists and artists generally, 

 and of popular value as Avell. In the invention referred to, 

 the key -board, which is distinct from the action, is made to 

 move a little toward either side, so as to bring the keys under 

 different hammers; the performer is meanwhile given easy and 

 effective control over its disposition, and variations of pitch can 

 be obtained with ease. Apart from this invention Mr. Holmstrom 

 has drawn many excellent upright " scales,^' which have given 

 him a high reputation among piano-makers. 



Conover Brothers, of New York, have also patented several 

 inventions of much significance, the author of which is Mr. C. F. 

 Conover, one of the most remarkable of the later-day school of 

 makers. These cover improvements in almost every department 

 •of the upright instrument. They include an original tuning-pin 

 arrangement, a method for obtaining prompt repetition in the 



Fig. 19. 

 Behr Brothers' Grand Piano Hammer, with Com- 

 pensutius: Lever. 



2. Ordinary Hammer and Butt. 



3. Behr Brothers' " Stringing 



ented.) 



Device." (All pat- 



