Fun facts about Pianos

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  • The piano was invented by Bartolomeo Cristofori (1655 – 1731) of Padua, Italy.  The exact date of the first piano he made is uncertain.
  • The piano is one of the oldest instruments still commonly played today.
  • Until the 1950s piano key tops were often made with ivory. This is where the saying “tickle the ivories” comes from.
  • In the first year that you own a piano it is beneficial for the piano (and your ears!) to have it tuned four times. After that, it is recommended that you have your piano tuned twice a year.
  • The piano’s full name is pianoforte.
  • Even though the piano is a melodic instrument and has strings it actually belongs to the percussion family because it uses hammers to strike the strings.
  • The activity of playing music stimulates multiple parts of the brain.
  • Music effects people emotionally and physically.
  • Music engages visual and fine motor skills simultaneously.
  • Thomas Jefferson used music to inspire him to write the Declaration of Independence.