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The piano has evolved over the centuries as a keyboard instrument that has increased in size over the years. A pianist presses the keys, that have hammers which are covered with cloth which in turn hits the tightened strings after the key is pressed. After the keys are struck, then the hammers are released so that strings start a series of sound vibrations.

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.

In traditional Western music, the piano is put to a wide variety of uses: for solo performance, ensemble recitals, chamber music, and as accompaniment for vocals or other instrument scores. It is also amongst the most popular instrumental aids for composing and rehearsing music. Although the piano is large and usually rather expensive, its versatility and indispensability have contributed to its status as the perhaps the most familiar and ubiquitous among musical instruments.

Piano is a shortened term for Pianoforte, which means loud and soft in Italian. This describes the ability for the piano to play various levels of loud and soft. The instrument piano has evolved from the Harpsichord a very popular instrument during the Baroque era centuries ago.

The original model for the piano is the much older stringed instrument known as the harp, the earliest versions of which were designed and used in ancient Greece centuries before the birth of Christ. At some point, a musically minded inventor conceived of the idea that instead of plucking the strings on a harp with the fingers as was traditionally done, it was also possible to devise a means of plucking the strings mechanically. It was this idea for a harp operated by mechanical keys that revolutionized music and gave rise to the first primitive keyboard.

Musician and inventor Cristofori initiated the invention with designs of the harpsichord the instrument that preceded the piano. The instrument was far from perfect, but the harpsichord was the accepted instrument for music of the Baroque era and popular with composers like J.S. Bach and George Handel. The harpsichord evolved into the piano as we know it into the 19th century and made popular with virtuoso works by Chopin and Liszt.

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 real development of the piano occurred around the 19th century with the invention of felt hammers which helped the strings resonate better, better steel wires, and more superior frames for the sounding board. The piano was built into the upright styles in the 19th century which was a smaller version of the much larger grand piano. This change made the piano much more affordable for more families and more people had the opportunity to learn the instrument.

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