Basic piano knowledge and history

Great majority of musical instruments fall into 6 major categories: bowed strings, woodwind, brass, percussion, keyboard and guitar family. The first four will compose the basis of modern sympohony orchestra. The acousitc piano is both a percussion and a string instrument. For acoustic piano include two types basically. one is grand piano, there are some concert grand are around 9 feet long. Another type is upright, this type always enable learner practice at home. For each types of piano, the larger size, the more robust, rich and resonance produced.

Synthesizers and digital pianos are considered as keyboard types, light, convenient and only need small space for keep and storage. But there are many disadvantages and considerations before purchase, we will talk that later.

The inventor of piano was Bartolomeo Cristofori(1655-1731), he was an instrument maker in Padua, Italy. He has already invented two variations of harpsichord called spinnettone and oval spinet. Cristofori was not satisfied about lack of control that musicians have already over the volume level over the harpsichord. He is credit for switching out the plucking mechanism with a hammer to create the modern piano in around 1700s.

Various design changes during 1700s to 1800s, the further development of hammers, frame, soundboard, pedals, strings, materials and structures. The first piano was build in grand shape inearly 18th century, but also they were tiny,dinky instruments considering changed harpsichord style. The first piano sounds and looks like harpsichords, with their used minuscule hammers. The uprights were built in early of 19th century.