Piano

Piano

Period: Jun 8, 1300 to Jun 8, 1900

Dulcimer

Jun 8, 1350

Hammered DulcimerThis ancestor of the piano originated in Iran shortly after the birth of Christ. It illustrastes the basic principles of the piano, hammer strinking multiple strings tunes over a flat soundboard.instead of mechanical hammers, dulcimer players use two light sticks ending with broader blades. Form of the dulcimer migrated as far as China, and modern examples such as the Hungarian cimbalom and Iranian santir continue in use for the folk music of Central Europe and the Middle East.

Clavichord

Jun 8, 1400

ClavichordDating from about 14000, the clavichord flourished four centuries later in the music of Bach. When the key is pressed, a vertical brass strip (tangent) at the other end rises and strikes a pair of strings. In fretted clavichords this same pair of strings can also produce a second pith, when struck by a neighboring key at a higher or lower point. To compensate for weak tone, the clavichords direct lever contact between finger and string permits expressive control of the dynamics and even vibrato.

Harpsichord

Jun 8, 1500

Harpsichord
The harpsichord form (keys in line with strings) reached its peak in the period of Bach and Handel.This shape, pattern for the modern grand, increased tonal power by string length far greater than that of the spinet. To control additional sets of strings, builders developed multiple keyboards with couplers (devices enabling one key to pluck several srings at once) and stops (mechanismos producing different registers or qualities of tone).

Piano-Forte

Jun 8, 1710

PianoForte
About 1710 Bartolomeo Cristofori build several instruments in harpsichord shape but with hammer mechanism surprisingly like the modern piano action. the resultant control of soft and loud (Piano-Forte), impossible on plucked keyboard instruments, furnished the name of the new instrument. Cristofori originated several further improvements, such as an overhead damper system and a strengthened framework to support heavier strings.

Upright OldPiano

Jun 8, 1800

Pianothe first pianos were 4. The pyramid piano , 1805 ; The shelve piano 1820 ; The giraffe piano, 1835 , and the piano lira, 1850 , which led to the modern upright piano.

Square Grand Piano

Jun 8, 1820

Square PianoThe Square Piano originated in efferts of German builders (notably Johannes Socher in 1742) to adapt Cristofori´s Piano-Forte to the traditional rectangular shape of the clavichord. the high tension of the shorter strings forced new developments in metal bracing of the wooden frame, increasing tuning stability and making possible further extensions of the keyboard. The Square Grand Piano ramained popular until about 1850.