THE NEED TO KNOW BASICS OF THE PIANO

Applied Lessons: Piano

The Basics

Known as both a string and percussion instrument Widely used in Western music

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

Shifts hammers so they hit only one string, or moves hammers closer to strings so they can’t sound as loud

Sostenuto Pedal-not on all pianos.

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

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.

Harpsichord Plucked by quills Body of piano most like harpsichord

Clavichord Struck by tangents (stayed on string) Mechanism of piano most like clavichord

Both used until the end of the Baroque period (1750)

History, cont.

Fortepiano Invented by Bartholomew Cristofori in Padua,

Italy “Keeper of the Instruments” for Prince Ferdinand

de Medici Invented around 1700 (prototypes)

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.

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.

Gottfried Silbermann Known more for organ building Made exact replicas of Cristofori’s pianos One addition-invented forerunner of damper pedal

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

History, cont.

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

John Broadwood Invented grand piano (piano in harpsichord frame) 1770 1st, 1820 7 octaves

Sebastian Erard Invented double escapement action 1821 Rapid playing of repeated notes

History, cont.

Iron Frame (Plate) 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

Felt Hammers 1826 Better sound, longer lasting Henri Pape

Strings “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

Player piano Plays itself from a piano roll Rolls have perforations that pneumatic

devices translate to music Some keyboard do the same with MIDI

Digital pianos (keyboards) Digital sampling to reproduce piano sound Allows for automatic transposing, other

sounds, and easy recording

Well Known Piano Makers

Steinway Yamaha Baldwin Bosendorfer-extended range Kawai