Pianos

Pianos

By Lara

Intro

Have you ever wondered about what a piano is?

What it looks like

The piano is a musical instrument with a keyboard. A normal piano has 88 keys, which is 52 white and 36 black in total. Pianos come in two basic types a grand piano and an upright piano. The spinet piano is the smallest piano at the height of 35 inches and the width of 58 inches. A full size profesional piano has the height of 48-60 inches and the width of 58 inches.

The difference

Prices, New grand pianos can cost from $10,000 to $150,000, while upright pianos have a smaller price range at $2000 to $8500. Used piano prices stay about the same for horizontal pianos. Good vertical pianos are sometimes seen on sale for $500 - $2500. Weight, grand pianos weigh about 480kgs. A upright piano can weigh 136kgs.

History

The piano was invented by Bartlemeo Cristoffori of Padua, Italy. He made the first piano in 1709. The piano has been an extremely popular intrument in western classical music since the late 18th century. It developed from the clavichord, which looks like a piano but the strings of a clavichord, are hit by a small blade of metal called a tangement.

How it works

Pianos use the keys to move hammers that hit strings inside, making a sound. When you release the key, the hammer and the damper falls backdown again. The damper sits on top of the string, that stops it vibrating and brings the note rapidly to an end.

Conclusion

Now I have given you a basic knowledge on What it looks like, The difference, The history and how it works.