Welcome to this website that has a wealth of information about English square pianos from their introduction in the 1760’s to about 1850. There is also information on other English and Viennese instruments.
This website is managed by Graham Walker who has had an interest in early pianos for more that 30 years. He has a small collection of instruments and is also a restorer and researcher. Please enjoy your visit and come back soon. You are welcome to get in touch with Graham using the Contact Form if you would like any further advice. You may have an early piano that you would like to know more about or offer one for sale on this website.
Information and advice
Articles from new research, Directory of makers, Gallery, Instruments for sale and much more.
What's New
Authentic Early Keyboard Cloth
Authentic early keyboard cloths were available for purchase from this website until September 2021 but after 12 years of trading, sales have been passed to Lucy Coad, Square Piano Conservation…
A CD set of interest – Johann Wilhelm Hässler 1747-1822 – keyboard sonatas
This is an excellent performance by Michele Benuzzi on harpsichord, fortepiano, and square piano. He explains that the idea for this comprehensive collection of Hässler’s keyboard sonatas came about through…
Featured Articles
Eleanor Chinnery’s square piano inscribed Melly
(Made in Dublin between c1792 and c1794) Little is known about Melly to the extent that even his first name alludes us. He describes himself as a harpsichord and pianoforte maker at 40 Fleet Street Dublin.1 On the nameboard is written “Melly” without any further inscription and the only other known surviving piano by him…
The new early keyboards cloths in use – Examples and guidance
Early 19th century square and grand pianos typically use a keyboard cloth that is about 1.5mm thick applying two thicknesses to the back-touch and front rail of the keyframe and one thickness to the balance rail. One or two thicknesses of cloth are used on the hammer rail. The two images above show a keyframe…
William Southwell – The prolific inventor
This paper covers William Southwell’s manufacturing activities in Dublin during the late 18th century and brings into context the progression of instruments he designed and made. He was one of the most prolific inventors of the early piano and made some important contributions to the development of the instrument. Many of his inventions proved successful…
The English Tangent Action Square Piano
A piano with a tangent action is fundamentally different to all other pianos. It uses a hammer that is detached from the action, known as a tangent. It is raised vertically to the strings by an action lever whereas all other pianos have a hammer that is pivoted on a hammer rail and is raised…
Advice about buying a Square Piano
Updated August 2019 Introduction This article provides a background to the recent interest in square pianos, comments on their musical capabilities and provides guidance on buying an instrument. Rise to respectability Many Georgian and Victorian square pianos have survived but until recently they have not been considered serious musical instruments. Most of them have been…