Keyboard instruments belong to two basic groups, those that simply trigger or pluck a note like the harpsichord and organ, and those that are responsive to the strength of the musician’s touch on the keys like the piano, clavinet and clavichord.
Pianos are built with pedals which sustain or mute notes by moving and striking soft hammers onto the strings inside the piano which a good player can utilize to create atmosphere and expression.
Organs use a series of buttons along with keys and pedals to create a wide range of sounds, a development also used in the creation of modern keyboard that also combines buttons, switches and keys to produce waveforms and sounds including everything from a Grand Piano to Strings, Brass and complete Drum Kits sounds on one instrument.
Synthesizers, electronic piano’s and keyboards are available in a variety of sizes with or without touch sensitive keys and a range of effects, sounds, drum patterns, song styles and some have options for playing full chords by depressing one note.
A piano is a large, expensive instrument which requires regular tuning so before splashing out a small fortune, beginners should try learning the basics on a small second hand keyboard. There are also some excellent virtual piano software programs and online virtual piano keyboards for computer users.
All of the electronic options are a boon to players who wish to learn and compose, however, not even the best digital equipment can emulate the true sound of an acoustic grand piano played by an expert.
Playing the piano can bring the joy of music into your life as well as the lives of others. The piano is a very popular musical instrument through which you can produce amazing and beautiful sounds. By pressing the various keys on a piano’s keyboard small hammers hit strings that produce the musical notes. The piano was invented long ago and is an integral part of many famous songs.
The invention of the piano stems from other musical instruments that were already in existence. The prior instruments included the clavichord, the harpsichord and the dulcimer. The clavichord came into being in the 1400’s. The instrument’s sounds are typically produced by brass tangents at the end of each key striking bichord strings. The harpsichord, which came into existence around 1505, produces sounds by plectrums or quills plucking strings. Finally the dulcimer is an instrument that does not include a keyboard. The musician holds small hammers in their hands that they use to strike strings in order to produce the desired sounds. The very first “successful” attempt to create a keyboard that utilized hammers hitting strings to produce sounds was referred to as “gravicembalo col piano e forte.” The instrument was created by a man named Bartolomeo Cristofori around 1700. He was a maker of harpsichords, an Italian inventor and the “keeper of instruments” in the Florence court of Prince Ferdinand de Medici. His invention became publically recognized around 1709. Cristofori removed the crow quills from the harpsichord and replaced them with wooden hammers covered in leather.
History is filled with extraordinarily gifted musical composers. The composers are the people who create the music that is heard throughout the world. Several of the most famous musical composers include: Johann Sebastian Bach, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Ludwig van Beethoven, and Frederic Chopin. Each one of these composers was a musical genius in his own right. Johann Sebastian Bach lived from 1685 to 1750. He was a musician during the Baroque period of music. He was descended from a family filled with musicians but was the first one to become famous to the world beyond his hometown. He is known for his intertwining melodies as well as the fugue. Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart lived during the classical period of music from 1756 to 1791. He was a true genius who wrote his first symphony when he was only five years of age. He was a student of the famous composer Joseph Haydn and is well-known for his opera writings. Ludwig van Beethoven was also part of the Classical period of music. He lived from 1770 to 1827. Both Haydn and Mozart tutored Beethoven. He helped to link the Classical and Romantic styles of music. His music is known to be filled with emotion. The Romantic period of music included the genius of Frederic Chopin. He lived from 1810 to 1849. Chopin’s specialty was the piano which he took to new heights. He forever changed the way the piano was regarded in music.