The piano is one of the most popular and versatile musical instruments, which has been at the center of musical art for several centuries.
The piano keyboard with 88 keys has become standard, but many music lovers wonder why the piano has exactly 88 keys, or if there are pianos with more keys. In this blog, we will explore the history and development of the piano keyboard and reveal the secrets of the piano keyboard.
Development of the Piano Keyboard
The history of the piano dates back to the 14th century when its predecessor, the harpsichord, was invented. The first piano, called the gravicord, was developed in the early 18th century, but the first modern piano emerged around 1700.
The piano, first invented by Bartolomeo Cristofori in Italy, had only 54 keys. As piano music evolved and developed, the keyboard compass gradually expanded in response to the demands of composers seeking a broader potential for expression.
Over the centuries, the piano has undergone numerous innovations and changes, including the expansion of the key range, improved mechanism, and manufacturing technique.
First Piano
The standard keyboard with 88 keys was established around 1890. It covers 7¼ octaves – from 2A to C5; 27.5 Hz to 4186 Hz (when A is tuned to 440 Hz. The pitch of individual keys will vary depending on the tuning method).
The human ear can hear sounds in the range of approximately 20 Hz to 20,000 Hz, but the upper limit of frequencies that the human brain can distinguish is around 4,000 Hz.
So even if the piano keyboard were extended with additional keys, the additional notes at the end of the low tones would become just noise to the human ear, and the added high tones would be heard as an unpleasant sound.
Division of Keys
The standard piano keyboard contains 88 keys, divided into 52 white and 36 black keys.
– White keys: Represent the notes C, D, E, F, G, A, and B and their octave variations.
– Black keys: Represent the semitone higher and lower tones, such as C#, D#, F#, G#, and A#.
Pianos with More Keys
Although the 88-key keyboard is the most common, there are also pianos with more keys.
Bösendorfer also manufactures pianos with 97 keys – with nine additional keys in the bass segment of the keyboard (2C to C5). However, the strings for these nine keys in the lowest bass segment are actually only there to provide a richer sound when other keys are played, resonating with them. In reality, the additional keys are almost never played directly.
How Does the Piano Produce Sound?
The piano is a complex instrument that produces sound in a very innovative way. When a key is pressed, a hammer strikes a string, causing vibration and sound production.
The piano keyboard has 88 keys. The number of strings depends on the piano model – usually around 230. However, the piano is classified as a keyboard instrument because the sound is a result of pressing/striking a key.
At first glance, the piano mechanism may seem simple, but it is actually very complex. Each key is connected to a complicated system of levers, hammers, and strings, requiring precise manufacturing and adjustment. Modern piano mechanics consist of more than 8,000 individual parts.
Weighting of Piano Keys
The weighting of piano keys in a grand piano and upright piano is a fundamental element that affects the feel and sound of playing. Key weighting is very important due to the demands of more complex playing and the need for greater dynamics and expressiveness.
In a grand piano, the keys are weighted so that the bass keys are more heavily weighted than the treble keys. This allows the pianist greater control over dynamics and expressiveness while playing. The treble keys can be slightly lighter, allowing for easier playing of fast passages.
The 88-key piano keyboard is a symbol of musical development and technological sophistication, enabling musicians to play a wide range of musical pieces. Its development over the centuries reflects the continuous quest of musicians for a larger range and richer sound.
The piano is a wonderful and innovative instrument, full of history, technical details, and fascinating facts. You can read some interesting facts in the blog post -> Interesting Facts About the Piano.