All Questions
36
questions
10
votes
3
answers
3k
views
Black and white keyboard keys
I've often wondered why there needs to be a different colour in the keys on pianos, organs and keyboards. After all, their location and shape differentiates them regardless. I can understand the need ...
- 195k
0
votes
1
answer
832
views
Did any pianist in history ever sight-read one of Liszt's Transcendental Études?
Liszt was known to be able to sight-read any piece, even Chopin's Etudes Opus 10 and Grieg's Piano Concerto, both Piano and Orchestral Part.
Since Liszt also composed some Études himself, I was ...
- 762
1
vote
1
answer
543
views
History of "strumming" the piano (Rhythmic repeated chords)
In many songs, a particular chord gets played over and over on a piano, very similar to how you might strum a chord on a guitar.
Examples:
...
- 149
4
votes
1
answer
357
views
Did the first piano use an equal-tempered or natural scale?
Both the piano and the equal-tempered scale were invented in the 1700s (according to Wikipedia, at least). But what I'm wondering is whether the first piano constructed used an equal-tempered scale, ...
- 143
1
vote
2
answers
196
views
What are the primary historical piano training methods, and what are their defining characteristics?
There are various historically important or well-known piano training methods or schools (“schools of thought” as opposed to institutions, which are not the focus here):
• The Leschetizky method
• The ...
- 91.3k
16
votes
5
answers
6k
views
Did Beethoven "invent" ragtime with Piano Sonata No 32 Op 111?
I had an interesting question. It is common knowledge that ragtime came about as a genre with Scott Joplin. However, I am curious if anyone has any information about Beethoven's Piano Sonata No. 32 in ...
- 1,034
1
vote
1
answer
290
views
Schubert G flat impromptu harmony
In my score, during the repetition of the opening theme, bar 5, the G flat major chord changes directly to an E flat minor chord, as is played in this performance.
However, the performances by Kissin ...
- 113
3
votes
3
answers
488
views
Liszt Petrarch Sonnet 104
While reading my Italian edition of Petrarch's sonnets, I noticed that Sonnet 104, one of the three Liszt took inspiration from for the pieces in Années de pèlerinage, is not the famous one that is ...
- 119
0
votes
5
answers
595
views
Does the piano really originate as a combination between drumming and guitar?
I heard this concept from one my friends, who is a guitar player, that first the guitar and the drum were created, and then somebody decided to drum on guitar and so was the piano born.
I really ...
- 3,842
6
votes
1
answer
487
views
Who Were Art Tatum's Influences?
Art Tatum is one of the most influential figures in the history of jazz piano. He propelled the music forward perhaps more than any other jazz pianist. Specifically, Art was known for his ...
- 11.3k
1
vote
1
answer
49
views
Earliest piano lyre?
When was the first piano built/marketed/sold whose pedals were mounted on what we now call a lyre, instead of onto a harpsichord-like crossbar between the front legs?
- 5,870
23
votes
3
answers
5k
views
What was the motivation for the invention of electric pianos?
Around the 1970s there were a lot of manufacturers creating electric pianos like the Rhodes piano and the Wurlitzer Electronic Piano. These electric pianos don't sound very close to a real piano, but ...
- 681
-1
votes
1
answer
172
views
Why did Stuart and Sons invent a 102-key piano?
Stuart and Sons have invented a huge 102-key grand piano. What is the reason behind this?
user53472
5
votes
2
answers
2k
views
Why do very old pianos have only 85 keys?
Some extremely old pianos have only 85 keys, ranging from A0 to A7. These pianos are no longer existent today. What's the reason?
user53472
28
votes
3
answers
6k
views
Why does a 97 / 92 key piano exist by Bösendorfer?
Pianos normally have 88 keys, ranging from A0 to C8. One of Bösendorfer's pianos go down to F below the low A. The other model goes down to C. How did this happen?
user53472