HISTORY OF THE KEYBOARD INSTRUMENT

HARPSICHORD (another version is spinet triangular shape.)

First made in about 1400 (early Renaissance)

Sound is made by depressing a key which activates the plectrum (plectra) to pluck the
strings, which explains why legato touch is impossible.
The norm of Baroque articulation on the harpsichord is non-legato.
Cannot produce dynamic difference by touch, but can produce dynamic contrasts by using
mechanical devices:
Some single manual harpsichords have two sets of strings: normal pitch and 8ve higher.
On a 2-manual harpsichord: a lever to couple the upper manual onto the lower manual.
Therefore, terrace-dynamics can be produced, but not gradual dynamics.
Clear and brilliant tone.

CLAVICHORD (predecessor of pianoforte)

First made in about 1400, a few years later than harpsichord. Box-shaped.
Sound is made by depressing a key which activates the hammer to strike the strings. The
hammer stays on the strings as long as the key is depressed.
Can produce a small amount of dynamic variation. Expressive tone.
Very small volume of sound. Therefore the instrument was only suitable for home use.

FORTEPIANO

The first fortepiano was made by Cristofori (Italian, 1655-1731) in 1709, but it was little
known. Wooden frame.
Became widespread and popular by c.1770.
Produces sound by hammers striking the strings. The hammers are covered by leather, and
later by felt.
Single escapement action hammer falls back to its resting position after striking the
strings; and the damper will fall on the strings to stop the vibration as the finger is released.
Can produce a much greater range of dynamics and expression.
Dampening by hand stops at first; then knee-pedals from around 1765 in Germany; then foot
pedals (invented by Adam Beyer in London in 1777) up to 6 pedals (from L to R: sustaining
pedal, bassoon stop up to Eb1, full moderator (celeste), half-moderator, una corda, Turkish
percussion stop). Beethovens piano had 4 pedals.
Size increased from 5 to 5.5 to 6 to 6.5 octaves by 1820:
5 octaves from F to f ; 5.5 octaves from F to c; 6 octaves from C to c;
6.5 octaves from C to f
Haydns early sonatas (written before 1770) were written for the harpsichord, and there were
no dynamic markings.
From 1771 his sonatas were written for the fortepiano. The first sonata written for the
fortepiano was C minor Hob XVI/20 which has many dynamic markings.
In the 1790s, John Broadwood of London made a fortepiano with una corda (soft pedal).
Haydn in 1794 wrote C major Sonata in London which has two passages in the first

movement marked 'pp open pedal', implying the use of the soft pedal. (5.5 octave
fortepiano)
In 1817 John Broadwood made a fortepiano with iron frame for Beethoven. (6.5 octaves
from C to f).
Una corda = one string; due corde = two strings; tre corde = three strings
Beethoven exploits the pedals in his last five sonatas.

MODERN PIANO or PIANOFORTE (from the Romantic period)

Hammers covered with more and more layers of felt or soft leather, producing a new soft
tone most suitable for romantic expression (Field, Hummel influenced Chopin)
In 1821 Erard Brothers (Paris) invented the double escapement action. (This enabled Chopin
and Liszt to write pieces and studies with rapid repeated notes, e.g. Liszts La Campanella.)
Up to 7 octaves (A to a); increased to 7 and octaves (88 keys) in early 20th century.
Chopins favourite piano was Pleyel because of its silky tone. He also liked the Broadwood.
Liszt preferred the Erard.
The Austrian and German pianos had a smaller sound than the British pianos.
Steinway (New York) 1853 metal frame, cross-stringing; Hamburg branch in 1880
Cross-stringing greatly increases resonance. It also saves space in the piano, otherwise the
grand piano and the upright would have to be longer.
The sostenuto pedal (middle pedal) was invented in 1862 by Claude Montal in Paris. Liszt
was instrumental in the development of this device, patented by Steinway in 1874.

Differences between fortepiano and modern piano:

Modern piano is bigger: up to 7 and octaves (88 keys)

The hammers are covered with more felt to produce a softer tone.
Double escapement action to enable rapid repeated notes.
Metal frame
Cross-stringing
Sostenuto pedal (middle pedal)