You'll need to soften up the hammers as well. If you break down the sound of a piano (mentally) the start of the note is sharp and sudden, followed by a hum.

You'll need to soften up the hammers as well. If you break down the sound of a piano (mentally) the start of the note is sharp and sudden, followed by a hum. The extra strings are never actually perfectly in tune, which is partly why a piano sounds "bright" If it were a person it'd sound a bit nasally. (the more out of tune the strings the more honky tonk and wobbly it sounds) rough guide: a concert piano sounds like a nasal person making an "EEEEGGHHHHHHHH" noise, but with a smile. (well a Steinway does) A softened piano, or a Una Corda sounds more like a hhMMMMMmmmmmm. Because it only has one string, and has a less violent hammer action, the sounds is more sinusoidal, so sounds smoother. edit the soundboard also significantly affects the tone, but I can't remember how.