THE NEED TO KNOW
BASICS OF THE PIANO
Applied Lessons: Piano
The Basics
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Known as both a string and percussion instrument
Widely used in Western music
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Both solo and ensemble music
Used in many genres
Comes from formal name Pianoforte
Made of very hard woods (Maple, beech, etc.)
Heaviest instrument (btw. 300-1000 lbs.)
Range of A0 (C0)-C8 (7 ½ octaves)
Keyboard was the first instrument where musicians could play more
than one note constantly with freedom (next to guitar)
Much of piano repertoire was written for keyboard instruments very
different than the modern piano
Parts of the Piano (outside)
Parts of the Piano (Action)
Parts to know: Key, Damper lever,
Hammer, and Damper
Piano Pedals
Soft Pedal-Also called una corda
pedal
Sostenuto Pedal-not on all
pianos.
Shifts hammers so they hit only
one string, or moves hammers
closer to strings so they can’t
sound as loud
Allows for some notes to be
sustained while others aren’t
Sustain Pedal-lifts dampers
off of strings to let sound
resonate.
Also called Damper pedal.
History of the Piano
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Keyboard instruments originated from hammered dulcimer
Many failed attempts at creating mechanized keyboards during
Middle Ages
By 17th century, mechanism developed enough for harpsichord and
clavichord
History, cont.
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Harpsichord
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Clavichord
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Plucked by quills
Body of piano most like harpsichord
Struck by tangents (stayed on string)
Mechanism of piano most like clavichord
Both used until the end of the Baroque period (1750)
History, cont.
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Fortepiano
Invented by Bartholomew Cristofori in Padua, Italy
 “Keeper
of the Instruments” for Prince Ferdinand de
Medici
 Invented around 1700 (prototypes)
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Solved greatest problem The Hammer
 How
to hammer string but remain in contact with it
 How to have the hammer rest without bouncing or make
noise
 How to repeat a note rapidly
History, cont.
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Piano “action” served as a model for first piano
makers
Thinner strings and quieter than modern piano
Relatively unknown until 1711 until Scipione Maffei
wrote article, new generation of piano builders
History, cont.
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Gottfried Silbermann
Known more for organ building
 Made exact replicas of Cristofori’s pianos
 One addition-invented forerunner of damper pedal
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Viennese School
Piano making flourished in late 18th century (Mozart Era)
 Wood frames, 2 strings per note, leather covered hammers,
black/white keys often opposite
 Softer clearer tone, less sustaining power
 Fortepiano
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History, cont.
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Early-Mid 1800’s
Industrial Revolution
 Higher quality steel strings
 Expand range from 5 octaves to 7 1/2
 Cast iron frame-support extra tension
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John Broadwood
Invented grand piano (piano in harpsichord frame)
 1770 1st, 1820 7 octaves
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Sebastian Erard
Invented double escapement action 1821
 Rapid playing of repeated notes
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History, cont.
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Iron Frame (Plate)
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Felt Hammers
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Sits on top of the soundboard
Holds the extra tension of the added strings
20 tons of pressure in a Grand Piano
Patented in 1825 by Alpheus Babcock in Boston, Mass
1826
Better sound, longer lasting
Henri Pape
Strings
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“Choir” of strings (3 vs. 2)
Cross stringing to allow thicker not longer strings
Henri Pape
Piano’s Role in Culture
Other Kinds of Pianos
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Player piano
 Plays
itself from a piano roll
 Rolls have perforations that pneumatic devices translate
to music
 Some keyboard do the same with MIDI
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Digital pianos (keyboards)
 Digital
sampling to reproduce piano sound
 Allows for automatic transposing, other sounds, and
easy recording
Well Known Piano Makers
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Steinway
Yamaha
Baldwin
Bosendorfer-extended range
Kawai