The piano is one of the most popular musical instruments in the world. Having been first introduced in the early 18th century, it has since become ubiquitous throughout just about every modern musical genre and is played by millions of people around the globe. Pianos have not only carved their way into the musical lexicon, but they are widely accepted as the best instrument for learning the basic mechanics of music theory. However, purchasing a piano can be a significant investment, as they can sometimes cost many thousands of dollars.
The invention of the modern piano is generally attributed to an Italian harpsichord maker by the name of Bartolomeo Cristofori. In 1709, Cristofori first introduced the world to his new invention, called the pianoforte. The name translates as "loud soft", referring to its then unique ability to play a range of volumes, something that was new to keyboard instruments. While considered a bit of a novelty at the time of its invention, this instrument would go on to become the preferred instrument of composers, and would be the focus of tens of thousands of pieces of music. And despite starting out in the classical world, it quickly caught on in nearly every other genre of music.
Pianos today are available in a wide variety of designs. The largest of these instruments is often referred too as a "grand" piano, and these are usually quite expensive. They are most often purchased for use in large concert halls, opera houses, or university music schools, but can occasionally be found in private homes as well. Baby grand pianos are generally shaped just like a typical grand piano, but on a slightly smaller scale. These instruments can often produce the same resonance and tone of their larger counterparts, but are often preferred because of their smaller size.
However, because both grand and baby grand pianos are generally the most expensive, most first-time piano buyers might want to consider other options instead. For the average home, an upright piano is most likely the best way to go. These instruments offer a full size keyboard and a full, rich piano sound, but are designed to be significantly more compact. Of course, even an upright piano can be a bit of an investment, and for people who want a piano but simply do not have a thousand dollars to spend on one, an electric piano can be a great alternative. They are much less expensive, and take up very little room.
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