Who Created the Harpsichord?
​
The Harpsichord was created in Italy in around 1500. When a key is pressed, a plectrum or jack, attached to a long strip of wood, plucks the string to make music.
HARPSICHORD
Who Created the Piano Keys?
​
The piano (formerly called the fortepiano) was invented by
Bartolomeo Cristofori in the early 1700s in Italy; with hammers and dampers instead of the strings being plucked.
PIANOFORTE
Some Pianos Have More Than 88 Keys
​
A standard piano has 88 keys: 52 white and 36 black.
Before the piano was invented, composers wrote music for the harpsichord, which has just 60 keys. Much like the 5 octave keyboard that many of you learn to play piano on!
​
Wayne Stuart has designed a piano with an unprecedented 102. The Stuart and Sons grand has a distinctive sound.
​
Most grand pianos have 88 keys but Wayne Stuart's family-run business in New South Wales, Stuart and Sons, has built the first known piano with an impressive 108 keys. This means it has a nine octave range, unheard of on the piano until now. The Stuart piano also has a device that makes the strings vibrate differently, so each note sings out clear and separate.
108 KEY STUART AND SONS PIANO
70 KEY PIANOFORTE
Did You Know ...
Piano Lessons | Music Lessons
How Many Keys did Beethoven Play On?
​
Beethoven only had about 70 keys on his piano and would surely have used more notes if he'd had them.
