If you are having piano lessons right now or still planning to take one, it is great to learn not only hitting the notes correctly but also getting to know the short piano history. As a pianist, you ought to know some events that had happened in the past with regards to musical tradition you are in at this moment. It is interesting to discover things that have led to the discovery of the magical instrument – the piano.



Not like kids who are on the process of learning piano, adult piano players are expected to know bits and pieces about the piano history. I know most of us are striving hard to get to learn more about the instrument that we're playing. Gaining more knowledge on the piano history, a pianist will learn how to play piano with reverence and care for the masters of piano during the earlier days. It will as well inspire and set the mood of improving one's skill day by day.

Several piano players have the knowledge that the modern name “piano” was derived from an Italian word “pianoforte” which stands for the word piano and loud in English. This name was made in order to distinguish the instrument from harpsichord which has a lesser range of volume compared to piano.

Piano was the primary instrument made to create a sound by striking the strings while harpsichord produces sound by plucking the strings. Bartolomeo Cristofori who was an instrument maker invented piano during 1700. Piano was made in such a way where the hammer returns back to its resting position after having a strike on the strings. This mechanism made a fine distinction to the piano compared to the instruments Cristofori made subsequently.

Later, after Cristofori's and his group's world-shattering discovery, the second generation pianos came to follow. They are often called as the “Mozart-era” pianos. Mozart was very famous during the 18th century. His works were always the peak and the epitome of music. In every manner where he decided to play, compose his music and perform in front of the people made piano a very widely known instrument more than anyone can make. All of his works were composed on piano and became the reason why a lot of piano instruments were sold.

In 1971, when Mozart had passed away, Europe was taken over by the Revolution in the Industry which greatly changed all facets of life which includes art and music. The advancement in technology during the 1800's made it possible for the piano to progress entirely to the instrument that we are playing right this time.

Iron frames and steel strings have been widely used during the time of Beethoven. Most musical historians even said that if piano haven't evolved this way, it will not be possible for Beethoven to create the beautiful pieces that we are enjoying right now. That is, thanks to the evolution of piano, the most important and adored instrument of Beethoven.

Piano has been completely developed to a modernized instrument in the late 1800's. The main reason why the songs of the modern and romantic composers like Stravinksy, Debussy, Tchaikovsky, Brahms, and Chopin's sounds like it was just composed lately. We owe everything to our early composers and great pianists that piano has been developed bit by bit to be the best instrument that it can be right now. The wide variety of music on the 20th century- from the usual compositions to the orchestral music like rock, jazz and blues would not have been developed without the piano.

And now we are on the 21st century and there is more to come. Even better innovations on the piano will be discovered. Blooming adult musicians are making their way to become the best pianist that they can ever become.