The piano is a complex and fascinating instrument. While it was officially invented around 1700, its development was influenced by many other instruments and musical mechanisms. The piano we know today has a rich history that spans back to ancient times. This article will address all aspects of the piano’s history, from its predecessors to the people who have made it famous.
Predecessors of the Piano
The mechanisms of the modern piano originated in the monochord, an ancient instrument with one string. This later evolved into the polychord, which loosely corresponded with the piano in its development. It was invented by F. Hillmer in 1799, but the most well-known example is the prototype created in 1934 by the Greek inventor and musician Avangelos Tsamourtzis. This is a harp-like instrument with 117 strings spanning six octaves.