Editing Aliquot stringing (section)

==History==
[[Julius Blüthner]] invented the aliquot stringing system in 1873. The Blüthner aliquot system uses an additional (hence fourth) string in each note of the top three piano [[octave]]s. This string is positioned slightly above the other three strings so that it is not struck by the hammer. Whenever the hammer strikes the three conventional strings, the aliquot string vibrates [[sympathetic strings|sympathetically]]. This [[string resonance (music)|string resonance]] also occurs when other notes are played that are harmonically related to the pitch of an aliquot string, though only when the related notes' dampers are raised. Many piano-makers{{Citation needed|date=September 2023|reason=most makers don't use sympathetic reinforcement at all; how many is "many, and who does this?}} enrich the tone of the piano through sympathetic vibration, but use a different method known as duplex scaling (see [[piano]]). Confusingly, the portions of the strings used in duplex scaling are sometimes called "aliquot strings", and the contact points used in duplex scales are called aliquots. Aliquot stringing and the duplex scale, even if they use "aliquots", are not equivalent.

Because they are tuned an octave above their constituent pitch, true aliquot strings transmit strong vibrations to the soundboard. Duplex scaling, which typically is tuned a double octave or more above the speaking length, does not. And because aliquot strings are so active, they require dampers or they would sustain uncontrollably and muddy the sound. Aliquot stringing broadens the vibrational energy throughout the instrument, and creates an unusually complex and colorful tone. This results from hammers striking their respective three strings, followed by an immediate transfer of energy into their sympathetic strings. The noted piano authority [[Larry Fine (pianos)|Larry Fine]] observes that the Blüthner tone is "refined" and "delicate", particularly "at a low level of volume".<ref>Larry Fine, ''The Piano Book'', fourth edition (Jamaica Plain, MA: Brookside Press, 2001), {{ISBN|1-929145-01-2}}.</ref> The Blüthner company, however, claims that the effect of aliquot stringing is equally apparent in loud playing.

=== Tunable aliquots ===

Theodore Steinway of [[Steinway & Sons]] patented tunable aliquots in 1872. Short lengths of non-speaking wire were bridged by an aliquot throughout much of the upper range of the piano, always in locations that caused them to vibrate in conformity with their respective overtones—typically in doubled octaves and twelfths. This enhanced the power and sustain of the instrument's treble. Because it was time-consuming to correctly position each aliquot, Steinway abandoned individual aliquots for continuous cast-metal bars, each comprising an entire section of duplex bridge points. The company trusted that with an accurately templated bridge and carefully located duplex bar, the same result would be achieved with less fuss.{{Citation needed|date=February 2018}}

[[Mason & Hamlin]], established in Boston in 1854, continued to use individual aliquots. They felt that the tuning of these short lengths of string was more accurate with an aliquot than what could be attained with a duplex bar. With the fixed points of a duplex bar, small variations in casting or bridge-pin positioning are liable to produce imperfections in the duplex string lengths. Furthermore, since variations in humidity can cause duplex scales to move in pitch more rapidly than the speaking scale, readjustments of aliquot positioning is more feasible than duplex bar re-positioning.{{Citation needed|date=February 2018}}

A modern piano manufacturer, [[Fazioli]] (Sacile, Italy), has blended Steinway's original ideas by creating a stainless-steel track, fixed to the cast-iron plate, on which individual aliquots slide.{{Citation needed|date=February 2018}}