The piano was invented in 1709 by Bartolomeo di Francesco Cristofori in Italy. It was an improvement over previous stringed instruments like the harpsichord as it allowed for dynamics (loudness and softness) when playing. The piano was then further advanced through technological innovations like the player piano, digital pianos, and continues to be improved upon today while traditional acoustic pianos are also still made with new materials. The piano became a popular instrument for composers to write for due to its expanded capabilities over predecessors.
2. The beginning
• Created by Bartolomeo di
Francesco Cristofori, in the
year of 1709.
• Padua, Italy
• Many other stringed and
keyboard instruments
preceded the piano and led
to the development of the
instrument —piano.
3. Taut
• Vibrating string can produce sound.
• In the ancient world, strings were attached
and stretched over bows, gourds,
and boxes to amplify the sound.
• Fastened by ties, pegs and pins.
• Produces sound by plucking, bowing or striking.
4. Dulcimer
• A closed, shallow box over stretched wires
that were struck with
two wooden hammers.
5. Clavichord
• The dulcimer led to the development of
clavichord.
• Appeared in the 14th century.
• Toccata per lelevazione, Messa degli Apostoli, by
Girolamo Frescobaldi.
6. Harpsichord
• Limited to one, unvarying volume –
Its softness and loudness could not be varied while
playing.
• Concerto in Italian Style for Harpsichord,
in F major, BMV 971, composed by
Johann Sebastian Bach
7. The invention of Piano
• Able to project sound more loudly
than its predecessors,
refinements in action/touch inspired many more
musicians to compose for the keyboard.
8. The invention of Piano
• First exhibited in Florence in 1709.
• Was named gravicembalo col piano e forte (soft and loud
keyboard instrument).
• Cristofori’s earliest surviving instrument dates from
1720, and it is on display at Metropolitan Museum of Art
in NYC.
9. New technology in Pianos
• Player pianos – reproducing pianos.
It represents a modern update on the paper-roll
player pianos.
- NOT digital instruments, it is real, acoustic pianos
with hammers and strings.
- They can also play themselves using electronic
technology.
- Takes cues from floppy disks,
specially formatted CDs or internal memory systems.
10. New technology in Pianos
• Manufacterers offer visit libraries of pre-recorded
titles for their systems—music in every genre from
pop to classics—recorded by some of the world’s
top pianists.
• These systems capture every nuance of the original
performances and play them back with startling
accuracy.
11. New technology in Pianos
• Thanks to these systems, many people who don’t
play the piano are enjoying live piano music ANY
time of the night or day.
• These systems can be used to record their own
piano performances, interface with computers,
aid in music education, assist with composing
and many other applications.
12. Digital Pianos
• Produced by many of today’s top piano
companies,
for instance: Korg, Yamaha and etc.
• Produces sophisticated, sampled piano sounds
taken from their own top models.
• Also offer other instrument voices,
such as vibraphone, strings, pipe organ,
jazz organ and so on.
13. Digital Pianos
• It is software-driven.
• Some keyboards feature lights over the keys to
help one play a favorite tune, or
learning programs that combine music with an
on-screen display.
• Help home musicians get more out of the
internet as well—using a computer for arranging
and orchestrating.
14. Digital Pianos
• Digital pianos also offer a variety of unique
functions—such as providing a lot of different
preset and combo sounds, ones that can give you
layering effect to the playing.
• Some may also include a karaoke/video output.
15. Traditional Piano
• Manufacturers are including innovations at a rapid pace.
• Some of the updates draw on mateiral science, to find
special woods or newly available materials that make a
piano more durable and tonally stable.
• Some of the engineers are also exploring to strengthen the
piano and keep its sound deep and rich for years.
16. Concert Grand Pianos
• Used by numerous conductors, composers and
songwriters.
• There are also baby grand pianos that are designed to
meet the needs of the home owners and players of all
levels.