The piano is a musical instrument that a person plays by pressing the keys on a keyboard. The keys are linked to felt covered hammers that are caused to strike metal strings when the key is depressed. A mechanism ensures that upon striking the strings the hammers are immediately released, which allows the strings to continue to vibrate at their resonant frequency.
After keys are played by the pianist, the sound is stopped. As each key or chords are played, the resonance of the sound is directed to the soundboard which can be heard according to varying levels of loud or soft dynamics. So the piano is capable of contrasting dynamics and varying duration of pitches.
Most Western style music use the piano for piano performances only, with other musicians and singers as an accompanist, or with orchestras inspired pieces. It is the main instrument that composers and conductors use to compose and convey melodies and pieces. It is one of the most universally accepted and revered instruments throughout the world today.
The word piano is an abbreviation of the Italian word pianoforte, a rather formal and archaic word which means 'soft and loud'. It expresses the gradation of tone that the instrument produces. By association, the word piano has been taken over to denote the instrument whose original Italian name, clavicembalo, refers to the instrument's fidelity and responsiveness to any touch on the keyboard.
The modern day piano developed over the centuries from the harp an old instrument before Christ's time. Originally, the was and still is a plucked string instrument the gave birth to the piano. Keys were struck on the strings instead of being plucked in the very early keyboard instruments preceding the modern piano, which is the main difference between the harp and piano.
In 1698, Cristofori began the actual steps for designing the precursor of the piano which was the harpsichord capable of soft and loud, complete with drawings and models. But the precision and quality of the instrument as we know it today was still far way off yet. Over the next few centuries, there unfolded a grand old story of experimentation, designing, innovation and refinement.
The harpsichord's inventor aimed for an instrument that would carry colorful high pitches and deep low notes. The piano was built to have hammers that were controlled, use steel strings, and remodel the resonators and fret board so that the sound emanating from the keyboard was much more dramatic than the simple harpsichord. Double key escapement allowed notes to sound again while the hammer did not return to resting position.
The critical breakthrough in the evolution of the piano was reached in the 19th century with the development of felted hammers, which provided for greater string tension, improved steel wires, iron frames for the sounding board, etc. The upright piano was perfected late in the 19th century, which made the piano more portable, less unwieldy and above all more affordable. So the piano left the concert halls and into the living rooms of the middle class where distinction of the piano became a symbol of culture and artistic refinement. - 16928
After keys are played by the pianist, the sound is stopped. As each key or chords are played, the resonance of the sound is directed to the soundboard which can be heard according to varying levels of loud or soft dynamics. So the piano is capable of contrasting dynamics and varying duration of pitches.
Most Western style music use the piano for piano performances only, with other musicians and singers as an accompanist, or with orchestras inspired pieces. It is the main instrument that composers and conductors use to compose and convey melodies and pieces. It is one of the most universally accepted and revered instruments throughout the world today.
The word piano is an abbreviation of the Italian word pianoforte, a rather formal and archaic word which means 'soft and loud'. It expresses the gradation of tone that the instrument produces. By association, the word piano has been taken over to denote the instrument whose original Italian name, clavicembalo, refers to the instrument's fidelity and responsiveness to any touch on the keyboard.
The modern day piano developed over the centuries from the harp an old instrument before Christ's time. Originally, the was and still is a plucked string instrument the gave birth to the piano. Keys were struck on the strings instead of being plucked in the very early keyboard instruments preceding the modern piano, which is the main difference between the harp and piano.
In 1698, Cristofori began the actual steps for designing the precursor of the piano which was the harpsichord capable of soft and loud, complete with drawings and models. But the precision and quality of the instrument as we know it today was still far way off yet. Over the next few centuries, there unfolded a grand old story of experimentation, designing, innovation and refinement.
The harpsichord's inventor aimed for an instrument that would carry colorful high pitches and deep low notes. The piano was built to have hammers that were controlled, use steel strings, and remodel the resonators and fret board so that the sound emanating from the keyboard was much more dramatic than the simple harpsichord. Double key escapement allowed notes to sound again while the hammer did not return to resting position.
The critical breakthrough in the evolution of the piano was reached in the 19th century with the development of felted hammers, which provided for greater string tension, improved steel wires, iron frames for the sounding board, etc. The upright piano was perfected late in the 19th century, which made the piano more portable, less unwieldy and above all more affordable. So the piano left the concert halls and into the living rooms of the middle class where distinction of the piano became a symbol of culture and artistic refinement. - 16928
About the Author:
J. Simon writes reviews for Play Piano Guide, a review site that reviews Internet based piano lessons. Lots of students admire the piano as history of piano has a rich history.
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