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The Piano: History, Facts, and Benefits
In the fourteenth century, instruments with keyboards evolved from a dulcimer to the clavichord, spinet, virginal, gravicembalo, and then finally, the harpsichord. The harpsichord led to the development of the piano. In fact, the story of the piano began in 1709 in the town on Padua, Italy. The first man to design it was Bartolomeo Cristofori. He was a harpsichord maker. Initially, people referred to it as the gravicembalo col piano e forte, which means soft & loud keyboard instrument. Other names included the pianoforte or the fortepiano. Finally, musicians settled on the piano as its name.
Interesting Facts about a Piano
• This instrument has 7,500 working parts
• It requires 230 strings in order to make full range sound.
• It is the king of the instruments because it ranges from the highest note you can play on a piccolo to the lowest on a bassoon.
• An upright piano is slower than a grand piano is.
• You must tune a new piano at least four times a year and then twice a year after that.
The Benefits of Playing It
• One of the greatest benefits of playing it is that it lifts the spirits of the player. Some people term this feeling as the joy of making music.
• Keyboard lessons reduce anxiety, loneliness, and depression.
• Children who learn how to play it acquire critical skills in life such as dedication, discipline, and hard work.
• Children who play it score highly in cognitive development tests.
• Playing the piano strengthens motor skills such as eye to hand coordination.
Some of The Greatest Piano Players in History
– Claudio Arrau (1903 to 1991)
Arrau is another great pianist who could read music at a very early age. He is famous for his interpretations of compositions by Beethoven.
– Martha Argerich (Born on 5 June 1941)
Considered one of the best pianists in the world, Martha won the International Chopin Piano Competition when she was 24 years.
Keep reading: “Interesting Facts About The Piano That You May Not Know”>>
Read on: “Inspiration from the Life of Ludwig van Beethoven”>>
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