The processes involved in investigating the distinctive characteristics of the Stuart piano sound are demonstrated and illustrated in the following three chapters. To thoroughly examine the Stuart sound, I have compared its tonal qualities to the tonal qualities of the modern piano. It was more beneficial for me to conduct the research as a comparison because of my extensive experience in playing and listening to modern pianos. So the new Stuart sound was compared to the familiar ‘control’ sound of the modern piano.

It is stated in the introduction that this research regards the Stuart piano as a different instrument to the modern piano. The research subjects below indicate the points of difference the Stuart piano has to the modern piano –

1. The tonal qualities of the sound
2. String coupling at the bridge and vertical string vibration
3. Movement of the thinner soundboard.
4. Australian wood used for the soundboard
5. Extended keyboard compass of 97 and 102 keys
6. Extended length and thickness of the bass strings
7. The implementation of 21st Century advancements in steel wire drawing.
8. Australian made
9. The soundscape of choice for composition and improvisation for a growing number of Australian musicians.

The modern piano sound is produced in this research by a Steinway Concert D piano made in Hamburg Germany in 2005, No 574500 and is identified throughout the paper by the acronym (STE). The Stuart sound is produced throughout this research by the 2.9m Stuart concert piano No19, made in Newcastle Australia in 2002, and given the acronym (M19,STU) throughout this paper. The ‘M’ in the Stuart acronym is the grade of Paulello strings used for the notes examined on this particular instrument.

The technical dimensions of both pianos are displayed in the following pages.