Upload
kami-hoss
View
83
Download
0
Embed Size (px)
Citation preview
The Historyof the PIANO
By Kami Hoss
The piano is one of the most
classic and iconic instruments
in existence.
It seems to have been around for
forever, so where did it come from?
Who invented it?
Stringed instruments have been around since near the
beginning of recorded history. Lyres were iconic instruments
during the Greek Classical period, and the harp has been
seen in cave paintings dating as early as 3000 B.C.
The piano was invented around the
year 1700 in Florence, Italy by
Bartolomeo Cristofori, a craftsman
who repaired harpsichords in the
royal court.
Composers at this time were in
search of an instrument that could be
played with varying dynamics.
One of Cristofori'ssurviving original
designs
Cristofori's invention was visually very similar to the harpsichord
with one striking difference: while harpsichord strings were
plucked to create music, the strings on his instrument were
struck with hammers, allowing for varying dynamics.
Cristofori named his invention
gravicembalo col piano e forteor "harpsichord soft and loud."
By 1730, pianos were gaining
popularity among elite Europeans.
Although they remained expensive, by
the 1760s they were being made
smaller so they could fit into the home.
In 1770, the piano was introduced
in America by John Behrent, a
German immigrant.
As the piano became a staple in orchestral and symphonic
compositions, composers demanded louder, more resonant
sounds to come from the instrument.
Over the next century, the piano underwent rapid evolutions with
new strings added, iron added to the frame to increase volume
and ease string tension on the case, the upright piano was
invented, and the first player piano was created.
The Industrial Revolution saw the birth of
piano factories, allowing the instrument
to reach a more affordable price.
Between 1850 and 1909, the number of
piano sales jumped from a few thousand
to 365,000, quickly cementing the
popularity of the instrument
There are now more styles of pianos available than ever have
been before. Pianos have since become digitalized and are
available electronically and even as software for your computer.
After the numerous changes, evolutions, and its digitalization,
one thing is astoundingly clear:
The piano has had massive impact on the music world, and
the instrument itself isn't going anywhere anytime soon.
Kami Hoss, DDS is a lifelong musician and
the proud owner of a 100th Anniversary
Yamaha piano. Visit him on social media
or read his blog to learn more!