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.

Moving a piano may seem like an easy task to some, but it is actually a complex and delicate process that requires skill, experience and specialized equipment. It’s not just about lifting and carrying the piano, it’s about protecting and securing it during transport to prevent possible damage.

In Benton d.o.o. we have over 30 years of experience moving pianos, but despite our vast experience, we still face new challenges with every move. Every piano and every movement is unique and we have to be ready for anything. Moving heavy, large and valuable instruments requires constant communication, coordination and attention to detail. We always plan ahead and are always ready for potential challenges.

Our team consists of physically fit, highly trained and experienced guys who can read each other’s minds and anticipate any problems that may arise during the move, and are also equipped to handle heavy objects and prevent injuries.

Weight and size

The size of a piano can be comparable to the size of a three-seater sofa or a bed, but a piano does not break down into smaller parts and weighs much more, as e.g. the three-seater weighs somewhere up to 130 kg.

The weight of a piano varies depending on the size and type of piano. On average, a standard piano weighs between 190 and 300 kg, while a grand piano can weigh between 270 and 600 kg.

The smallest piano is usually around 109 cm high, while the tallest piano can be as high as 152 cm. Smaller piano – A baby grand piano is usually around 149cm long, while a concert grand piano can be as long as 308cm.

The piano is moved in a natural position, where there is less room for maneuvering, the piano can also be moved on its side. The piano is turned on its side for transport, the legs and the lyre of the piano are removed.

We cannot disassemble a piano or a piano into smaller parts, but we can remove the covers and thus gain a few extra centimeters and a few kilograms less weight. However, it should be noted that removing the covers requires expertise and may damage the instrument, so it is recommended that this task be left to professionals.

Gadgets and devices

Pianoplan and transport carts are of great help when moving pianos, but often such solutions are not possible due to obstacles in modern architecture. If possible, then we check the transport options through the window or balcony. In extreme cases, a piano or piano is carried.

It would normally take 4 strong people to transport a 200 kg object, but this is often not possible due to narrow staircases, so the instrument is most often carried by 2. They help each other with belts, lifting straps, straps and, of course, protection for the instrument. Such a procedure is very demanding, the loads are high and there is usually not much room for maneuver.

Sometimes moving a piano through a doorway or staircase is difficult or even impossible due to the size and weight of the instrument. In such cases, it may be safer to move the instrument through a window or balcony using a truck lift.

When we need the help of a forklift when moving, we fasten the piano or piano to the “arm” of the forklift with a special fastening belt, which ensures that the piano is stable and safe during lifting. Our team will also take care of adequate protection of the window or balcony and the surroundings during the lift.

Many times customers offer to help with the moves to maybe save a few €, but moving a piano is a delicate task and it is extremely important that the team is trained to prevent any damage. Inexperienced individuals may damage the instrument or injure themselves or others. The task of moving a piano is always better left to the professionals and experienced like the Benton team. We have the necessary equipment and expertise to ensure that your piano is moved safely and without damage.

Safety

Safety when transporting a piano is crucial both for the safety of the piano and for the safety of our employees who handle it. This includes proper equipment and techniques for loading and unloading the piano and ensuring that the piano is properly secured during transport to prevent damage. In addition, it is necessary that the employees have suitable footwear while carrying out the move.

Sometimes it happens that the customer asks us to change into slippers or to put on disposable shoe covers – In order to ensure safety, employees are instructed to wear suitable footwear that provides adequate support and protection when performing their duties.

Disposable slippers and shoe covers do not provide the necessary support and stability for the feet, which can be dangerous when handling heavy and large objects such as pianos. They can also make it difficult to maintain proper posture and balance, increasing the risk of accidents. Additionally, disposable slippers and shoe covers can easily slip, which can further compromise the safety of our employees.

Floor and other furniture protection

Floor protection is usually not necessary when moving a piano, except in extreme cases. Therefore, do not protect the soil from our arrival. When moving, we use carts with rubber wheels, the pianoplan has tracks that do not damage the floor. Our employees will take care of the additional protection of the rest of the furniture. If you are worried about anything, please give us as much information as possible before the move, additional pictures will also help us assess the situation, and we can also do a preliminary inspection and check the options.

Transportation

Transporting a piano can significantly affect the tuning of the instrument. Changes in temperature and humidity during transport can cause the piano or piano to go out, which means you will have an additional cost with tuning.

To prevent this from happening, we at Benton d.o.o. have a specially adapted van that has controlled conditions in the cargo area. This means that the temperature inside the van is maintained at a consistent level to protect the instrument from any changes that could affect its tuning.

Our delivery vehicle has the option of tying down the load in the cargo area to secure the piano against movement during transport, and to additionally protect the instrument with cushions during transport.

In addition, the team is experienced and trained to properly handle pianos and secure them during transport to minimize the risk of damage or tuning problems.

Moving a piano, especially a grand piano, can be a challenging task that requires proper planning and equipment. It is important to remember that pianos are not only large and heavy, but also fragile and delicate instruments. Improper handling and movement can cause damage to the piano itself, other furniture and personal items, and even to people moving. To avoid damage, it is important to hire a professional company for moving pianos or pianos, such as Benton d.o.o.

We successfully completed another extremely demanding restoration of the Bösendorfer piano.

We brought the piano to our piano workshop in extremely poor condition. The true extent of the damage was visible after we disassembled the entire piano. As Jožef Benda told for interview fot ARS Program, we had a “big party” with the restoration of the piano in our piano workshop. The Bösendorfer piano has undergone a complete renovation in our piano workshop. It was very dry and cracked, but we still managed to keep the soundboard.

The soundboard is the heart of the piano and any defects on this plate mean sound problems in some cases as well as piano failure.

Piano, Bösendorfer GP 225 with subcontra F – year 1925, from studio 1, we were entrusted with the renovation from Radio Slovenia.

The story of the Bösendorfer piano was researched and summarized in four parts by Gregor Strniša, composer, arranger and pianist. You can read it on the website of Mr. Gregor Strniša.

We are honored that with our team of piano technicians we are also part of this story, which is now, as the director of Radio Slovenia, Mr. Mirko Štular, appoints:

THE STORY OF A FORMER ABANDONED PIANO

We invite you to watch an interesting story about an abandoned, mysterious piano and a presentation of the renovated Bösendorfer concert piano from Studio 26 of Radio Slovenia.

Below you can see a gallery of Bösendorfer piano restoration progress from the Benton piano workshop