Canary & Sons' Small Piano-Forte
Voilà! I am happy to present my own "square piano" for your historical sims to hone their piano skills!
In an age when domestic music making was usually accompanied by a lady at the harpsichord or Spinnet, the advent of the square piano was hugely significant. These compact pianos were designed and made by John Zumpe and sold from his house and workshop in Princes Street, at the north-east corner of Hanover Square. The oldest surviving examples are dated 1766.
Many harpsichord players took to them immediately – their tone sounded so charming to ears that had known nothing but the harpsichord and organ – and these 'small Piano-fortes' were so inexpensive! Plain examples sold for as little as £18 – about half the cost of a single-manual harpsichord from Jacob Kirckman or Burkat Shudi (these being the two leading makers). For thirty years the harpsichord and piano-forte existed side by side, regarded as equally useful instruments, depending on what music you wished to play. Consequently, in many homes, in London or in Paris, you might find both instruments, often in the same room, their owners deciding that a 'small Piano-forte' could be readily accommodated. It would take up little space, and when closed it looked much like a side table.
(source)
Following manymany tutorials, I have decided on my finished product.
It is a fully closed square piano, with loads of deco slots on it, so you can clutter up the place, while still managing to practice your playing.
I decided on just two wood shades, and for variety, there's 9 different stool cushion covers.
There's so many different designs of square pianos. Some have pedals, some don't - some have levers, and dampeners.... There'd be parts of the top which open - so that you can see the strings, and tune when needed (or to increase the volume). From 1768 onwards, three levers were installed in that small space to the left of the keyboard - so this would open up as well, in order to access these.
I had to decide how much I wanted - do I want it open at all? If so, both sections? I am not really very good at making things in blender, so it worked out better for me to do it closed up.
I also decided to keep pedals: though I don't recall seeing an animation where the sim presses the pedals, the game has cones here for pressing, so it's definitely possible!
I worked supersuper hard on this, so I really hope you all like it!
Download now, for free, via Curseforge!
