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.
