The Piano: History and Role in the
Modern World
The Evolution of the Piano
The modern piano developed its form from two keyboard instruments, the clavichord and the harpsichord, which originated from early in music history. These keyboard instruments operate on the principle of direct connection between the applied force or pressure of the player on the keys, and the volume of sound. Meaning, the harder the pressure or force the player applies on the keys, the louder the sound of the instrument, the lighter the touch, the softer the sound.
Earlier musicians, however, encountered a problem with the clavichord and harpsichord: the sound was relatively diminutive as compared to how they would have wanted it to be, considering the fact that keyboard instruments were often played in large rooms (chambers), cathedrals and churches.
Around the year 1700, Italian instrument maker Bartolomeo Cristofori (1655-1731) created the new keyboard instrument and coined its name from the fact that it could both play "piano" (soft) and "forte" (loud), addressing the problem of the old keyboard instruments. Thus, the pianoforte, or what we call shortly now as the piano.
Aside from the direct connection between the fingers on the keys and the sound, the piano also has two different pedals which are the sustain or damper pedal and the soft pedal. The sustain pedal allows the pianist to hold the tone or sound even after releasing the key. The soft pedal veils or muffles the sound. There is also a third pedal called the sostenuto pedal. However, not all pianos have this.
Other kinds of keyboard instruments include the pipe organ which was most prominent from 1600-1750, when it was commonly used for church music and considered then as the "king of instruments". The accordion is also another kind of keyboard instrument, as well as the modern organ and electric keyboard.
The role of the piano in the modern world is very versatile. The piano can cover a wide range of musical types from classical to pop to jazz. It can cater to a wide variety of audiences from music connoisseurs in concerts or artists in theatres, to children and pupils in pre-schools. Very noticeably too, piano students can very well play other instruments as well, even without its formal training.
The piano is also a very relevant tool in the culture of society. Since the turn of the 20th century, many households have been able to acquire their very own piano. From this assessment, we can infer that modern society believes in the benefits of studying music and piano in particular.
In almost every gathering (social, religious and even political), one cannot undermine the important role of music. It expresses ideals. It bonds the youth. It provides for a positive, productive & creative channeling for this generation's aggression and collective angst.
The importance of music on the development of a person, and eventually, of society cannot be understated. Perhaps its time to rethink how this important element of cultural and social development in our society has been treated.
Earlier musicians, however, encountered a problem with the clavichord and harpsichord: the sound was relatively diminutive as compared to how they would have wanted it to be, considering the fact that keyboard instruments were often played in large rooms (chambers), cathedrals and churches.
Around the year 1700, Italian instrument maker Bartolomeo Cristofori (1655-1731) created the new keyboard instrument and coined its name from the fact that it could both play "piano" (soft) and "forte" (loud), addressing the problem of the old keyboard instruments. Thus, the pianoforte, or what we call shortly now as the piano.
Aside from the direct connection between the fingers on the keys and the sound, the piano also has two different pedals which are the sustain or damper pedal and the soft pedal. The sustain pedal allows the pianist to hold the tone or sound even after releasing the key. The soft pedal veils or muffles the sound. There is also a third pedal called the sostenuto pedal. However, not all pianos have this.
Other kinds of keyboard instruments include the pipe organ which was most prominent from 1600-1750, when it was commonly used for church music and considered then as the "king of instruments". The accordion is also another kind of keyboard instrument, as well as the modern organ and electric keyboard.
The role of the piano in the modern world is very versatile. The piano can cover a wide range of musical types from classical to pop to jazz. It can cater to a wide variety of audiences from music connoisseurs in concerts or artists in theatres, to children and pupils in pre-schools. Very noticeably too, piano students can very well play other instruments as well, even without its formal training.
The piano is also a very relevant tool in the culture of society. Since the turn of the 20th century, many households have been able to acquire their very own piano. From this assessment, we can infer that modern society believes in the benefits of studying music and piano in particular.
In almost every gathering (social, religious and even political), one cannot undermine the important role of music. It expresses ideals. It bonds the youth. It provides for a positive, productive & creative channeling for this generation's aggression and collective angst.
The importance of music on the development of a person, and eventually, of society cannot be understated. Perhaps its time to rethink how this important element of cultural and social development in our society has been treated.
Click Here for your Free Traffic!
70s Music News
| Piano - Google Blog Search |
| Wonkette : Condi Plays Piano For The Queen Anybody that actually listens to real piano music can tell you that Condi is never gonna be no Pierre-Laurent Aimard. The whole story is that her parents took her to a fancy music summer camp when she was a teen, she played for some ... |
| timesofmalta.com - Rice plays piano for Queen Outgoing US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice played the piano for Britain's Queen Elizabeth at Buckingham Palace yesterday as a farewell gesture before the end of the Bush administration's term next month. ... |
| Piano for the queen: Condi Rice plays the Palace - Entertainment ... Live from the palace - Condi Rice on piano! ... Piano for the queen: Condi Rice plays the Palace. The Associated Press. Add to My Yahoo! Bookmark and Share · email this story to a friend E-Mail · print story Print. Text Size:. tool name ... |
| Condoleezza Rice plays piano for Queen at palace Outgoing U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice played the piano for Queen Elizabeth at Buckingham Palace Monday as a farewell gesture before the end of the Bush administration's term next month. Rice's spokesman Sean McCormack said ... |
| 10 Top Ways To Find A Good Piano Teacher That’s Right for You Decide what type of piano method you want to study. Do you want to learn by ear and repetition of playing what you hear? Do you want to study by learning to read music? Do you want music theory study to be an integral part of your ... |
| Current World News » Blog Archive » Condoleezza Rice Plays Piano ... Condoleezza Rice Plays Piano For The Queen. Written on December 2, 2008 – 10:38 am | by Admin |. On Monday night at Buckingham Palace, U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice fulfilled a dream On Monday night at Buckingham Palace, ... |
| 10 Top Ways To Find A Good Piano Teacher That's Right for You ... You've decided you want to tinkle the ivories. You have decided on a formal approach to your studies, instead of self-teaching. Therefore, you need a qualified piano teacher to help you reach your goa. |
| Practically Speaking: Piano Practice can be Enjoyable! What can make piano practicing seem difficult is our inclination to expect fast results. If we don’t achieve expectations right away, we get down on ourselves. We may feel the task ‘to become accomplished at the keyboard’ is too ... |
| Art Tatum: The Virtuoso Of Jazz Piano A child prodigy, he started by learning how to play the piano rolls from recordings which his mother used to play at home. He slowly started playing duets not knowing that they were meant to be played as duets but playing both the parts ... |
| Minor Matters » Blog Archive » Condoleezza Rice plays the piano in ... After meeting with Gordon Brown and David Miliband yesterday, US secretary of state, Condoleezza Rice played a recital in Buckingham Palace. She had expressed a wish to play the piano there before she leaves office in January next year. ... |
| RSS integration by RSSinclude |