The piano in time

Since the dawn of man music has been played, enjoyed and practiced, and
through its practice the instruments used have changed greatly. Throughout the
years the piano has changed greatly and as a result many different types have
been created, with the creation of new pianos famous artists have chosen to
use them for their styles of music, pianos have been used in many genres of
music as a result of their various types and the sound produced.
The first instrument that relates to the piano is called the Dulcimer, it is
considered to be the ancestor to early versions of the piano due to its similar
qualities. The dulcimer is played by striking hammers on a series of strings
tuned over a flat soundboard. The first actual piano was called the clavichord
the first models were built around 1400 but wasn't made popular until three
centuries later in the music of Bach when a key is pressed, a vertical brass strip
is lifted toward a pair of strings. The virginal which is a small Harpsichord (or
instrument whose strings are plucked) was the next advent in the piano; it was
louder than the clavichord but lacked u buts dynamic variety.
Although originally created in Italy the Spinet was perfected in Britain around
the late seventeenth century, the jack mechanism plucks the strings just as the
virginal, but the wind shape permits longer strings, increasing the size and
expanding the range to as much as five octaves. First created in the fifteenth
century, the Harpsichord reached its peak in the period of Bach and Handel.
The Harpsichord has longer strings and sounds louder than the clavichord
although it has the shape of the modern grand piano.
Around 1709, Bartolommeo Cristofori built several instruments in the
harpsichord shape but with hammer mechanisms surprisingly like the modern
piano action. Because players could control soft and loud which was impossible
on plucked keyboard instruments, Cristofori named this instrument the
Pianoforte. During the time of Beethoven around the eighteenth century piano
builders began to extend the keyboard. Two other important developments were
the escapement action for faster repetition of notes and the damper and soft
pedals. Pedals were often added to produce exotic effects. During the
eighteenth century, many builders tried to apply the upright from to the
pianoforte. During the nineteenth century the piano continued to become more
powerful and responsive.
Some of the greater improvements were the double-repetition action of the
Sebastien Erard which allows very rapid repetition; and the full cast-iron frame

developed by Alphaeus Babcock. These developments are the basis for today's
modern pianos. The pianos of today incorporate the best qualities of early
instruments. Cross stringing which is a way to achieve greater richness of tone
by passing more strings over the center of the soundboard. The sostentenuto or
middle pedal was introduced in the late nineteenth century, permitting greater
musical coloring.
The Baroque period, or the time between 1600 and 1700 where new styles if art
and architecture flourished in Europe, there were several great musical artists
who became known as famous composers. Several of the composers where
George Fredric Handel, Antonio Vivaldi and Johann Sebastian Bach. George
Fredric Handel was born the son of a barber;
Johann Sebastian Bach came from a long line of musicians but was the first to
become famous outside of his home town. Bach was extremely particular about
his music. Often times he would destroy his compositions that he didn't find
worthy, because of this many of his pieces been lost. His work was very unique.
During the classical age many advancements where made in the art of music
and as these advancements where made new great composers rose to take
advantage of them.
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart is considered to be the prince of classical music.
Has countless pieces of literature, movies, and musicals and plays dedicated to
him. He wrote his first symphony at the age of 5 he toured Europe with his
father and sister as a novelty act but eventually he grew up and the novelty was
gone. From there forward his natural skill at music carried him and as a student
of Haydn and Mozart he blossomed into a top notch opera writer, which was his
only source of income for many years. His later teaching career was not enough
to support him and he died a poor man.
Ludwig von Beethoven was not near as talented as Mozart but became known
as another child prodigy. At the age of 14 he was given the role of assistant
teacher and organist. He received tutoring from both Haydn and Mozart.
Although he had a good childhood at the age of 19 his life quickly took a turn for
the worse with the death of his mother, he was then left with the role of
supporting his entire family. As a result of his troubled youth he became a very

disturbed and angry person, this was portrayed in his music which was fiery and
emotional.
Felix Mendelssohn was born into a rich and musically talented family and as a
result was introduced into music at a young age. He was very talented and his
music was very popular at their time of writing. His piano concerto in G minor
"And My Heart will go on" is considered to be the most played concerto of all
time. His music for the play "A Midsummer night's Dream" in addition to its
popularity during its time is still played at modern weddings. Mendelssohn often
played pieces by Bach and is credited with bringing back popularity to his
music. Johannes Brahms lived during the romantic age but wrote classical
music. Once Mendelssohn graduated from playing in bars and brothels he
started serious composing he was considered a genius for his music.
During the romantic era many changes were made to the way the piano was
used.
Frederic Chopin was one of those artists, his pieces for the piano the piano
where groundbreaking and pushed the limits of what the piano was thought to
be capable of. Is innovations completely changed how the piano was treated in
music.
Franz Lizt was another is considered to be one of the most talented pianists the
world has ever seen. His concerts where often completely sold out. Because of
the way he played he often has a second piano prepared in case he broke the
first one.
The piano in its various forms have been used throughout time as
entertainment for many cultures. As a result of its popularity and interest from
innovative artists it has changed greatly, and more modern variations are used
in many genres of music.