A Brief History of the Piano

What came before the PIANO?

CLAVICHORD

-strings hammered

-notes could be sustained

-vibrato created by wiggling keys

-quieter sound

-could control volume

-used in homes, small rooms

HARPSICHORD

-strings plucked

-notes could not be sustained

-no vibrato

-second keyboard on the single instrument could be added for more sound

-no volume control

-used in chamber ensembles

When and How did it become the PIANO?

Bartolomeo Cristofori invented the pianoforte (what we know as the piano) in 1700. This date is confirmed by “an inscription made by…a court musician in Florence…in a copy of Gioseffo Zarlino’s Le istitutioni harmoniche,” a major musical text of the time.

Cristofori improved upon the shortcomings of the harpsichord and clavichord. His piano was shaped like a harpsichord. Inside was system where the strings of the piano were struck by hammers that would immediately bounce back so as not to dampen the vibrations of the strings. This and thicker strings caused bigger and unhampered vibrations, making the piano a much more versatile instrument than its ancestors, especially in terms of dynamic control.

Why was it called the PIANOFORTE?

Cristofori’s new instrument allowed for both loud and soft dynamics, so its name reflected this ability.

Edwin M. Ripin, et al. "Pianoforte." Grove Music Online. Oxford Music Online. 1 Apr. 2010. http://www.oxfordmusiconline.com/subscriber/article/grove/music/21631

Piano Genres

Piano can be found in many types of music.

Some examples are:

Classical





Jazz

Piano: Basic Techniques

Basic Piano Techniques










The video below shows how one must keep their hands while playing.








He remains relaxed and he never makes a great effort to reach the notes.

• Fingers should be naturally curved, playing on the tips of the fingers or fleshy part next to your .


• You should form a "paw". Knuckles should not be caved in or too high. Knuckles could be fairly flat, but just slightly up, like a bridge. The same with the wrists and elbows.


• Wrists should be even with the white keys, never too high or low.


• Elbows should be out from the body, allowing the weight of your arm to travel freely to your wrists and allowing for horizontal movement across the keys.


• Always sit up straight, shoulders back, create a small arch in the middle of your back.


• Imagine a string going up through the center of your body, out of your head.


• You should sit far enough from the piano so that your elbows are slightly towards the front of your chest.


• Sit no more than one half to three quarters on the bench. Both feet flat on the floor or pedals.

I think the best way to start is to learn to read basic music. Learn the notes and some basic chords. There are websites that can help you learn.

http://www.notationmachine.com/how_to_read_sheetmusic/readingmusic.htm

http://www.tutorials.com/09/0917/09171.asp