What is Flugelbauer

Many people have asked me where I came up with the name for my piano supply company, Flugelbauer. Flugelbauer is a very old German word with not much of a current meaning. Flugel means wing, and bauer means builder or farmer.

A grand piano is referred to as a flugel, or wing, because of its shape. So Flugelbauer translates as wing farmer or piano builder. Flugel also refers specifically to a grand piano, as opposed to a klavier or vertical piano. So, Flugelbauer can translate to mean grand piano builder.

Flugelbauer, as a word, is currently rarely used--except in reference to Flugelbauer Piano Supply or Flugelbauer Voicing Tools in association with the piano technical industry.

There are very few grand piano builders, flugelbauers, left in the world. As a result, few Germans would know what a flugelbauer is. That makes flugelbauer even more unique and valuable as a trademark, distinguishing itself apart from other typical, normal, modern, piano tool companies.

John Wilson, Dr. Flugel