The peculiarities of the mechanism of any instrument constitute in all cases a law for the application of the energy to be expended upon that mechanism. In so far as energy is correctly applied, will the machine, if in good order, give back an equivalent of work done; but in so far as the power applied is either insufficient or superfluous, will the amount of work fall, both in quality and quantity, below the standard otherwise obtainable.
As every musical instrument has that part of it which is to be played upon. Constructed with reference to the shape and motions of the hand. The various positions which the hand can assume during a performance would have to be enumerated before its extraordinary capabilities of motion and attitude could be exhausted. Compare the keyboard of the piano with the different finger-boards of violin, cello, double-bass, or with the key-area of the several kinds of wind instruments.
Of all musical instruments the piano is probably the one which calls for, in the performer, least departure from a position already natural to him. The attitude of sitting is allied with one of the hands and arms more natural and easy than that used in playing on any other instrument.
The violin demands a more constrained position of arm and wrist than is ever needed for the piano. The organ, in consequence of its requiring a great amount of work from the feet as well as from the hands, allows the performer a much less steady position and balance than does the piano.
The harp, from its peculiar form, necessitates a position of some constrain both of arms and body. And all wind instruments, from their necessarily interfering with any free movements of the head and arms, are also less adapted to afford perfect ease of posture.
The piano, on the contrary, is unusually well suited to the natural movements of the body. Its keyboard is so placed that it allows the arms and hands the most complete freedom of motion in every direction; and the attitude of the hand most suited for acting mechanically correctly on the keys considered as levers, is the same attitude into which it falls when the arm is allowed to hang naturally by the side. The angle of the elbow, when the hands are on the keys, is also that best suited to facilitate the natural movements of the muscles of the hands and arms.
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