The piano can be directly linked to two instruments of centuries past. The first is the clavichord, a box-like structure in which strings are stretched, and struck by metal blades to produce notes and pitches. The clavichord could be manipulated to produce different chords, but even at it’s best, could barely be heard by anyone other than the player. Intent upon creating a superior to the clavichord, musical engineers created the harpsichord. The harpsichord used a frame similar to modern grand-pianos, but ut

In the late seventeenth century, the piano had begun to shed the reputation of an improved harpsichord, and was starting to be recognized as an entirely new instrument. The piano’s popularity steadily increased partially due to the standard of living at that time. Clavichords were inexpensive but their uses were limited. Harpsichords cost more than early pianos and, requiring frequent requilling, were more difficult to maintain. The material resources of the rising middle class encouraged musical amateurs and created a climate favorable to the new keyboard instrument. The piano’s popularity spread through Europe at a surprising rate. Piano makers experimented and made improvements on current pianos; the piano industry was becoming rivalrous with everyone trying to outdo each other. Eventually, this competitive nature spread to England. Still using the harpsichord as the chief string instrument, England was the destination for twelve German piano-makers with a mindset similar to those of trendsetters.

ilized a wooden bar and a quill to pluck strings (the jack), which amplified the sound of a clavichord greatly. Harpsichords were more expensive clavichords and became a fad in sixteenth and seventeenth century England. The harpsichord was a particularly important development leading to the invention of the piano. However, the harpsichord was limited to one, unvarying volume. Its softness and loudness remained the same while playing. Therefore, performing artists could not achieve the degree of musical expression of most other instruments. The artistic desire for more controlled expression led directly to the invention of the piano, on which the

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