on.)

After that portion of the case is completed which forms the key-bed or
action frame, we are ready to set in the


ACTION.

By this is meant the keys and all those intricate parts which convey
the motion of the key to the hammers which strike the strings, and the
dampers which mute them.

The requisites of the action are as follows:

The keys must descend quickly and easily at the touch of the
performer, giving quick response.

The weight of the hammer must be properly proportioned to the strings
it causes to vibrate.

The hammer must rebound after striking the string. (Where the hammer
remains against the string, thereby preventing vibration, the term
"blocking" is used to designate the fault.)

The action must be capable of quick repetition; that is, when a key is
struck a number of times in quick succession, it must respond
perfectly every time.

After striking and rebounding from the string, the hammer should not
fall to its lowest position where it rests when not in use, as this