If you’ve ever been captivated by the sound of a piano, you may have wondered: who invented the piano, and when was the piano invented? This magnificent instrument that fills concert halls, homes, and music classrooms around the world has a fascinating origin. Let’s dive into the history of the piano, explore how it evolved, and find out who the genius behind its invention was.
A Time Before the Piano: The Harpsichord & Clavichord
To understand the history of the piano, we need to go back to Europe in the 14th to 17th centuries. Before the piano was invented, two popular keyboard instruments dominated the musical scene — the harpsichord and the clavichord.
- The harpsichord was widely used during the Renaissance and Baroque eras. It looked somewhat like a piano, but instead of hammers striking strings (as in a piano), the harpsichord plucked them. This meant players had no control over how loud or soft each note sounded.
- The clavichord, on the other hand, allowed for more expressive dynamics but was too quiet to be used in large performance spaces.
So musicians and composers were stuck with a dilemma: one instrument was expressive but quiet, and the other was loud but not dynamic.
Enter Bartolomeo Cristofori – The Inventor of the Piano
The answer to who invented the piano is clear: Bartolomeo Cristofori, an Italian instrument maker. He was born in 1655 and worked under the patronage of the Medici family in Florence. His goal was to build an instrument that combined the loudness of the harpsichord with the expressive touch of the clavichord.
Cristofori succeeded. Around the year 1700, he invented the very first version of what we now call the piano. It was initially named the “gravicembalo col piano e forte”, which means “harpsichord with soft and loud” — referring to its ability to play notes at different volumes depending on how hard the keys were pressed.
This was a revolutionary development, and the name was eventually shortened to simply “piano.”
When Was the Piano Invented?
So, when was the piano invented? Cristofori’s earliest documented piano dates back to around 1700. In fact, three of his original pianos still exist today and are preserved in museums:
- The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York
- The Museum of Musical Instruments in Leipzig
- The Museum of Musical Instruments in Rome
These instruments mark a turning point in the history of the piano, combining innovation, craftsmanship, and musical artistry.
What Made Cristofori’s Piano So Special?
Cristofori’s design was unique because it used hammers instead of plucks to strike the strings. These hammers were attached to a very delicate mechanical action, which let the player control the volume and expression of each note — something not possible on earlier keyboard instruments.
Key innovations included:
- The escapement mechanism, which allowed the hammer to fall away from the string immediately after striking, letting the string vibrate freely.
- A soft pedal, which modified the tone.
- Careful string tuning and a strong frame to support tension — setting the groundwork for future improvements.
Cristofori’s design was ahead of its time. But because it was complex and expensive to build, the piano didn’t become popular immediately.
Spreading Across Europe: The Piano’s Evolution
By the mid-1700s, piano designs began to improve and spread across Europe. Instrument makers in Germany, Austria, and England experimented with Cristofori’s original design and added features like:
- Iron frames for stronger tension
- Multiple pedals for tonal variety
- Expanded key range
Famous composers like Haydn, Mozart, and later Beethoven, began to compose for the piano, further popularizing it.
By the 19th century, the piano had evolved into the 88-key instrument we know today. It became a must-have in middle-class homes, concert halls, and conservatories.
Some Fascinating Piano Facts
Here are some fun facts to enrich your understanding of the history of the piano:
- The word “piano” is actually short for pianoforte, combining the Italian words for soft (piano) and loud (forte).
- The standard modern piano has 88 keys — 52 white and 36 black.
- The largest piano ever built was over 18 feet long!
- Pianos have over 12,000 parts, and more than 200 strings.
Why Knowing the History Matters for Learners
You don’t have to be a history buff to appreciate this story. Knowing who invented the piano and understanding when the piano was invented helps you connect more deeply with the instrument.
You begin to realize you’re not just pressing keys — you’re playing a piece of a 300-year journey of sound, invention, and creativity. Whether you’re learning your first scale or performing at a recital, that rich history lives under your fingertips.
Learning Piano the Right Way with FSM
At Furtados School of Music (FSM), we believe that learning the piano should be a journey full of joy, discovery, and creativity. That’s why our piano courses are designed for every age and skill level — from playful beginner classes like “Keys Are Fun” to advanced coaching for concert-ready students.
Whether you’re starting with a 61-key keyboard or moving toward mastering an 88-key piano, FSM’s expert instructors and interactive curriculum will guide you every step of the way — just like Cristofori guided music into a new era.
Final Notes
So now you know the answer to who invented the piano — the brilliant Bartolomeo Cristofori — and when the piano was invented — over 300 years ago. From delicate strings to booming chords, the piano’s legacy continues to inspire musicians around the world.
And you could be next.