The History of Keyboards

Essay by pingpang2Junior High, 9th gradeA, May 2004

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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...