Who created the 88-key piano?

The first true piano was invented by one man—Bartolomeo Cristofori (1655–1731) of Padua. Three pianos by Cristofori survive, however, their sound differs considerably from the modern piano. Its range is considerably narrower—54 rather than 88 keys.

In the late 1880s, popular piano manufacturer Steinway created the 88-key piano that is the standard today. The thing is that such a piano features a full seven octaves and a few more notes.

Why did he stop at the exact number of 88 keys? Actually, it wouldn't be easy for our ears to hear notes beyond the ones present on this piano. Composers just don't use such notes in their music!

There are 52 white keys and 36 black keys on the modern piano.

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What are your thoughts on this subject?

104 Comments

Deborah Davidson

I first heard of the Steinway piano in the Pink Panther movie as a kid. Clouseau ruins a piano, and the owner said, "That's a priceless Steinway!" He replied, "Not anymore."

guthrie

Started Piano at 6 yrs old and still play. It has helped with my life. Depression, happiness, sadness, loneliness you name it. I could sit for hours and play softly or dramatically. Made many teenage emotions less stressful!!!

GONavarini

An excellent question!

Kennedy Whitney

My son has played since he was 4 he is graduating from Carnegie Mellon university school of music this year

wandajaneburlinson

Many piano lessons later, I still haven't mastered it.

Peter Thomas

Chuck Donelson, the question specified the 88 key piano, which was Steinway. Cristofori invented the piano BUT his only had 54 keys.

Neville Thomas

Before the modern piano it was the clavichord and dynamically all notes had the same intensity or volume. The Italians I.e. Christofori invented the modern piano and its intricate action whereby one could play loud or soft, hence pianoforte but they stuck with piano, otherwise pianists would have been called pianofortists, not very pleasant sounding. Pianists or Piano player sounds much better.

Cliff Occomore

Pianos from the 18th and early 19th centuries are more usually called fortepianos. Their sound is sort of between a harpsichord and modern concert grand.

Chuck Donelson

The answer is Cristofori!

Nathan

OMG THIRD IN A ROW NON GEOGRAPHY QUESTION IN EXPERT QUIZ ON GEOGRAPHY 🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬

siscajf

Meinhart Lammer,

Cheryl McMeekin

Lucky guess

Joanne Serin

One possible reason that composers wouldn't use notes any higher or lower than the 88 could be the necessary additional ledger lines, which I would find more confusing than the ones already used.