Definition

Noun: A hinged, protective cover that folds down to conceal and shield the keyboard of a piano when the instrument is not in use.

Usage

The term "fall-board" refers specifically to the wooden lid on a piano. It is opened upward to access the keys for playing and closed downward to protect them from dust and damage.

Examples

• Noun:
  • Please remember to close the fall-board after you finish practicing to keep the keys clean.
  • The antique piano had a beautifully engraved fall-board.

Advanced Usage

• "to lower the fall-board": To close the protective cover over the piano keys.
  • The pianist lowered the fall-board with a soft thud at the end of the recital.

Variants and Related Words

• Key cover: A more general, descriptive term for the same component.
• Lid: A broader term that can refer to the fall-board or the larger top lid of a piano.
• Keyboard cover: A functional synonym, though less traditional than "fall-board."

Synonyms

• Keyboard lid
• Key lid

Related Phrases

• Fall-board lock: A small lock sometimes fitted to the fall-board to secure it.
  • The old upright piano had a fall-board lock, but we had lost the key years ago.

Noun

1. the hinged protective covering that protects the keyboard of a piano when it is not being played