Piano
Invented
The piano was invented by Bartolommeo Cristofori in the early 18th century.
Construction
A musical instrument consisting of a number of wire strings stretched over a metal frame, which are hit by felt-covered wooden hammers operated by a keyboard. the grand piano, or vertical, as in the upright piano.
Action
Strings stretched over a metal frame, which are hit by felt-covered wooden hammers.
Synthesiser
Invented
A device that reproduces the sounds of conventional musical instruments and also produces a variety of artificial tones by means of electronic oscillators, whose signals are converted to sound waves. Individual circuits can be switched in and out by the player, enabling a wide range of sounds to be produced.
Construction
Individual circuits can be switched in and out by the player, enabling a wide range of sounds to be produced.
Action
Reproduces the sounds of conventional musical instruments and also produces a variety of artificial tones by means of electronic oscillators, whose signals are converted to sound waves.
Organ
Invented
A musical wind instrument originating in the 3rd century BC.
Construction
The modern organ consists of a large number of pipes of increasing size, some of which contain reeds, fitted over a wind chest and blown by manual or electric bellows
Action
The pipes are made to sound by pressing keys or pedals. Each pipe sounds one note, but groups of duplicate pipes, called stops, can be made to sound together or successively.
Harpsichord
Invented
It was widely used in the 16th to 18th centuries.
Construction
Polished veneered wood, with a straight, plain design.
Action
A keyboard instrument with strings plucked by quills. The tone can be changed by the addition of stops, which sound strings an octave below or above the note played.
Clavichord
Invented
A keyboard instrument, popular from the...