The piano evolved from earlier stringed instruments like the harp and harpsichord. The first piano was invented in Italy in 1709 and was originally called the pianoforte since it could play both loudly and softly. This new capability made the piano hugely popular, and many famous composers began writing pieces for the piano. Today's pianos have evolved further and some can even play themselves, while digital pianos produce sound electronically rather than with strings.

1. History of the Piano
Amy Kaminski

2. How the Piano was Developed
• By stretching a string between a bow or
other, humans discovered a sound
could be produced
• The first stringed instrument was the harp
• The harp led to the dulcimer, clavichord and
finally, the harpsichord – the piano’s
predecessor

3. Why the Piano?
• The harpsichord could
only play at one volume
• The piano provides a
more mellow, but quite
versatile sound

4. The Piano in History
• The first piano was invented in Italy in 1709
• Originally called the Pianoforte due to its
ability to play loud and soft
• The piano became hugely popular, and
many composers developed pieces for the
piano, which are still performed to this day

5. The Piano’s Structure
• 88 Black and White
Keys
• Three foot pedals
• Strings are plucked by a
hammer to produce
sound
• Considered both a
percussive and a
stringed instrument

6. Modern Day Piano Technologies
• The player piano – a
piano with the ability
to “play itself”
• Digital Pianos – sound
is produced from a
sound bank rather
than strings

7. Attributions
• Piano Keys – Photo by Wiodi, available under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial
license
• Digital Piano - Photo by Sean MacEntee, available under a Creative Commons Attribution-
Noncommercial license
• Piano Strings - Photo by Micah Taylor, available under a Creative Commons Attribution-
Noncommercial license.
• Piano - Photo by lilli2de, available under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial license.
• Player Piano - Photo by litlnemo, available under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial
license.
• Bow and Arrow - Photo by Travis S., available under a Creative Commons Attribution-
Noncommercial license.
• Harpsichord - Photo by dalcrose, available under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial
license.
• Italy - Photo by Worldmapper.org, available under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial
license.
• Concerto for Harpsichord No. 2 in E Major – by JS Bach. Performed by The English Concert & Trevor
Pinnock
• Moonlight Sonata - by Ludwig V. Beethoven. Performed by Unknown