A Very Brief History of the Pianoforte
Bartolomeo Cristofori (1655-1732) is credited with inventing the pianoforte in 1709. He produced about twenty pianos before going back to making harpsichords full time in 1726. It took another 34 years before the technical challenges of constructing a pianoforte were overcome and the instrument became popular. The name piano is an abbreviation of Cristofori's original name for the instrument: piano et forte or soft and loud.
In 1780 the square piano was invented by a man named Stumpe. The rectangular shape was based on the traditional shape of virginals and clavichords (plucked predecessors of the pianoforte). Stumpe's instruments had a limited range.
Piano makers continued to refine their instruments through the first half of the 19th century. Iron frames replaced wood for greater strength and volume. Steel wires replaced brass and iron. Numerous improvements were made to the striking mechanisms. The piano's range was extended from 5 1/2 to 7 1/2 octaves.
During this period most of the types of pianos we know today were produced, but the predominate style for home use was the square piano. It was sturdy, loud, compact and relatively inexpensive compared to grand pianos of the time. However, square pianos had inherent design flaws and began to fall out of favor after 1850. This coincided with a change in piano manufacturing from handmade, fragile and expensive to industrialized, robust and affordable. The last American square piano left the Steinway factory on October 8, 1888. (A playable 1864 Steinway Square Grand can be seen and heard at the Old Manse in Concord, MA.)
During the 1890s the upright piano became the piano of choice for home use. Sturdy and relatively inexpensive, the higher end uprights could approach the tonal quality of a grand piano when new. We use an 1895 Ludwig Parlour Upright with our students. Its warm tone makes even the simplest piece sound special. There is something magical about learning to play on an instrument from another era.
We teach piano using the John Thompson Modern Piano Series as our core curriculum augmented with selected supplemental books that build technique.
Earth Harmony, LLC
30 Causeway Street
Hudson, MA 01749
Earth Harmony, LLC
30 Causeway Street
Hudson, MA 01749
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