Invention - Piano

Bartolomeo Cristofori

No one really knows.

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The piano is an acoustic, stringed musical instrument invented in Italy by Bartolomeo Cristofori around the year in which the. When was the piano invented? No one really knows. According to his employers, the Medici family, one of his pianos was already in existence by the year

According to his employers, the Medici family, one of his pianos was already in existence by the year Another document of doubtful authenticity indicates that the piano was invented in the year Three pianos made by Bartolomeo Cristofori survive today. They all date from the s. The piano is founded on earlier technological inventions. Why was the piano invented? The piano was perhaps a result of trying to improve on the clavier and harpsichord. The harpsichord was loud but it had no control of dynamics. There was little expressive control of each note and it was almost impossible to add emotion to the music.

The clavier had a certain degree of dynamics but it was too quiet.

The new invention, the piano was able to combine the loudness of the harpischord with the dynamics of the clavichord. If we were to give a short, clear answer as to who invented the piano, it would be Bartolomeo Cristofori, without a doubt. What he did successfully was solve the main problem with piano design at the time.

He really had no example to follow and was able to solve the problem of the hammer striking the string but not remaining in contact with it and dampening the sound. That was a major problem with the previous keyboard, the clavichord.

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On a clavichord the tangent remains in contact with the clavichord string. In addition, the hammer must return to its rest position without a violent bounce and must be able to repeat a note rapidly. The inventor of the piano, Cristofori was able to pave the way for other piano builders with his new invention.

His piano action served as a model for the many different approaches to piano actions that came after. It was now possible to evoke emotion into the music. Musicians were now able to control the volume of their instrument and composers could write with that important feature in mind. Much like a piano, a small hammer is used to hit the strings, which is why the dulcimer is considered to be a direct ancestor of the piano. The piano is also considered to be a part of the keyboard family.

Why the Piano Was Invented

The history of instruments with keyboards dates far back and originates from the organ, which sends bursts of air through pipes to make sound. Craftsmen improved upon the organ to develop an instrument that was a step closer to the piano, the clavichord. The clavichord first appeared in the 14th century and became popular during the Renaissance Era. Pressing a key would send a brass rod, called a tangent, to strike the string and cause vibrations that emit sound over a range of four to five octaves. When a key is pressed, a plectrum attached to a long strip of wood called a jack plucks the string to make music.

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This system of strings and soundboard, and the overall structure of the instrument resemble those that can be found in a piano. The piano was invented by Bartolomeo Cristofori of Italy. Not only that, but the action was so fluid that one could play many repeated notes quickly and with variety of tone. Piano is the Italian word for soft, and forte the Italian word for loud. We know that Johann Sebastian Bach was one of the first composers to try out this new instrument, but it would be left to his sons to write music especially for it.

Much of the best classical repertoire includes many fine examples of piano music. Naturally it was a very different instrument to the one we know today, but it provided them with an outlet for expression they couldn't get anywhere else.

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Winner of the Otto Kinkeldey Award of the American Musicological Society, this lavishly illustrated book describes the changes in pianos from the earliest days to contemporary instruments. After hundreds of years of evolution and development, the piano continues to be a major force in the world of music. People still want to learn to play it, to watch others play it, and to find new ways of using it for making music.

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And with the almost limitless possibilities the piano provides, this trend is likely to continue for a very long time. A keyboard instrument, a percussion instrument, and a string instrument, the humble pianoforte is at home in more combinations than practically any other musical instrument, including solo work, accompanying, or performing with a full orchestra. Its unmistakable tone and character have helped to cement its place in the hearts and minds of all who hear it.

Of all the inventions of the last few hundred years, the piano has proven its value and maintained its status as the king of instruments with force and dignity. Long may it continue.

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Depends what you mean by problems. It might have been a problem for makers of harpsichords initially because the piano would have usurped them as one of the most popular keyboard instruments of the time. Like any new instrument, it would have created new challenges for composers and performers. But that would probably only have served to fire them up and give them something new to aim for.

Everything is easy if you have the drive and the desire to do it. Some people find it easier than others but it's something you can become competent at if you are determined to work at it.

Who invented the piano and when was it invented?

People probably had to learn to get used to it, but it was probably more of a challenge and something new than a problem. Sign in or sign up and post using a HubPages Network account. Comments are not for promoting your articles or other sites. An interesting article about a very popular instrument.

Many of those beginning to learn to play the piano will find this informative and useful. Other product and company names shown may be trademarks of their respective owners. HubPages and Hubbers authors may earn revenue on this page based on affiliate relationships and advertisements with partners including Amazon, Google, and others.

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