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P i a n o

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The piano, or more completely, the pianoforte, is perhaps the most popular of domestic instruments and has inspired the largest and most diverse repertoire for both amateur and professional players.

A pianos sound is made when a player presses down a key, causing a hammer to strike a series of strings. To stop the sound, a damper falls on the strings to deaden the sound as soon as the player's fingers releases the keys. Foot pedals came into general use in the late 18th century and were perfected during the course of the 19th, allowing the player to increase, diminish, or sustain these sound. These innovations gave the instrument its forceful sonority and provided the player with a high degree of musical control.

Although pianos have been made in a variety of shapes in the years since their invention, today there are two standard models--the grand (pictured above) and the upright. Grand pianos can exceed 9 feet in length but are normally around 6 feet.  Uprights are usually about the size of a small bookcase.