Big Word Love

Diva · 06-04-2010, 09:56 PM

Pianoforte ~ what we now call the Piano was originally called the pianoforte. Its predecessor was the harpsichord, which could only play one volume, no matter how hard one pounded on the keys. It's strings were plucked by quills.

But the pianoforte's (invented in 1709 by Christofori) strings were struck with felt-covered 'hammers' and it could be played softly (Italian: piano) and loudly (Italian: forte) depending on how hard one struck the keys.

Eventually, the 'forte' was dropped to what we know today as the piano.

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06-04-2010, 09:56 PM	#7
Diva Timed Out How Do You Identify?: Diva Preferred Pronoun?: Diva Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Chez Diva Posts: 11,879 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 9,263 Thanked 17,174 Times in 5,239 Posts Rep Power: 0	Pianoforte ~ what we now call the Piano was originally called the pianoforte. Its predecessor was the harpsichord, which could only play one volume, no matter how hard one pounded on the keys. It's strings were plucked by quills. But the pianoforte's (invented in 1709 by Christofori) strings were struck with felt-covered 'hammers' and it could be played softly (Italian: piano) and loudly (Italian: forte) depending on how hard one struck the keys. Eventually, the 'forte' was dropped to what we know today as the piano.