Design And Construction Of A Mini Piano

ABSTRACT

This project work is mini piano using 555 timers IC. Piano is a musical instrument that produces a tone according to the button being pressed. On the mini-piano, the soundboard and the strings are neatly positioned underneath the keys at the back of the piano, protected by a simple wooden frame to which fabric is attached to prevent dust getting in. When a key is pressed, the action which results in the striking and dampening of the piano wires, results from a mechanism which contrasts to any existing piano made today: a long thin but sturdy metal rod which reaches halfway down the back of the instrument is lifted. This lifting motion causes the piano wires to be struck and then dampened when the key is released as is typical of a traditional piano, at least on those notes which require dampening (on a minipiano, the highest 13 notes are not dampened).

This system is built around 555timer IC. The 555 timer is operated in astable multivibrator mode. In astable multivibrator mode, the circuit produces accurate free running waveforms, which can be adjusted to produce different sound of the device.

CHAPTER ONE

1.1                                                        INTRODUCTION

The piano is an acoustic, stringed musical instrument invented in Italy by Bartolomeo Cristofori around the year 1700 (the exact year is uncertain), in which the strings are struck by hammers. It is played using a keyboard,^[1] which is a row of keys (small levers) that the performer presses down or strikes with the fingers and thumbs of both hands to cause the hammers to strike the strings. The word piano is a shortened form of pianoforte, the Italian term for the early 1700s versions of the instrument, which in turn derives from gravicembalo col piano e forte^[2] and fortepiano. The Italian musical terms piano and forte indicate “soft” and “loud” respectively,^[3] in this context referring to the variations in volume (i.e., loudness) produced in response to a pianist’s touch or pressure on the keys: the greater the velocity of a key press, the greater the force of the hammer hitting the strings, and the louder the sound of the note produced and the stronger the attack. The first fortepianos in the 1700s had a quieter sound and smaller dynamic range.

An acoustic piano usually has a protective wooden case surrounding the soundboard and metal strings, which are strung under great tension on a heavy metal frame. Pressing one or more keys on the piano’s keyboard causes a padded hammer (typically padded with firm felt) to strike the strings. The hammer rebounds from the strings, and the strings continue to vibrate at their resonant frequency.^[4] These vibrations are transmitted through a bridge to a soundboard that amplifies by more efficiently coupling the acoustic energy to the air. When the key is released, a damper stops the strings’ vibration, ending the sound.

1.2                                             OBJECTIVE OF THE PROJECT

The main objective of this work is to build a mini sound producing instrument which is capable of producing five different sounds. This Piano produces tone according to the button being pressed

1.3                                              PURPOSE OF THE PROJECT

Piano is a musical instrument that produces a tone according to the button being pressed. The main purpose of this work is to produce five different musical tones when any of the five buttons is pressed.

1.4                                          APPLICATION OF THE PROJECT

• It is used to produce different types of tones and sounds by changing the resistor values.
• We can use it as a best birthday gift for the kids for fun.
• We can also use this circuit as a Machine gun by changing the resistor and capacitor values.

1.5                                         SIGNIFICANCE OF THE PROJECT

Nothing has the power to accurately imitate or generate the incredible sound of a piano. The piano has remained relevant for so long because it’s designed so well. Even the best synthesizers can’t stand up to the piano when it comes to dynamics. This device can be used for entertainment.

1.6                                                 SCOPE OF THE PROJECT

This system is built around 555timer IC. The 555 timer is operated in astable multivibrator mode. In astable multivibrator mode, the circuit produces accurate free running waveforms, which can be adjusted to produce different sound of the device.

1.7                                           LIMITATION OF THE PROJECT

1. in this work, only five button was used which limited the device in producing only five different sound when each of the buttons is pressed. This means that the number of tones in this piano circuit can be increased by connecting more resistor buttons configuration. So we can get more than ten tones depending on one’s choice.
2. 6v battery is used for the circuit. With good filtering this device can also be powered with 6v regulated power supply.

1.8                                     PROJECT WORK ORGANIZATION

The various stages involved in the development of this project have been properly put into five chapters to enhance comprehensive and concise reading. In this project thesis, the project is organized sequentially as follows:

Chapter one of this work is on the introduction to this study. In this chapter, the background, significance, objective, limitation of this study were discussed.

Chapter two is on literature review of the study. In this chapter, all the literature pertaining to this work was reviewed.

Chapter three is on design methodology. In this chapter all the method involved during the design and construction were discussed.

Chapter four is on testing analysis. All testing that result accurate functionality was analyzed.

Chapter five is on conclusion, recommendation and references.