1. Origin of the Name: The word "piano" is derived from the Italian word "pianoforte," which literally means "soft-loud." This refers to the instrument's ability to produce both soft (piano) and loud (forte) sounds.
2. Inventor of the Piano: Bartolomeo Cristofori is widely considered to be the inventor of the piano. He introduced the first piano, called the "gravicembalo col piano e forte," in the early 18th century.
3. Predecessor of the Piano: The piano evolved from earlier keyboard instruments such as the harpsichord and the clavichord. These instruments lacked the dynamic range and versatility of the piano.
4. Number of Keys: A standard modern piano has 88 keys, including 52 white keys (natural notes) and 36 black keys (accidental notes). The keys are arranged in a chromatic sequence.
5. Longest Note on a Piano: The lowest note on a piano, the A0 (in the sub-contra octave), has the longest sound duration of any note. Its frequency is around 27.5 Hertz and can resonate for several seconds.
6. Heaviest Part of a Piano: The cast iron plate is the heaviest part of a grand piano. It holds the strings in tension and supports the tremendous downward pressure exerted by the strings.
7. Weight of Strings: The total length of all the strings in a grand piano is about 80 meters (263 feet). Collectively, these strings weigh approximately 200 kilograms (441 pounds).
8. Longest Continuously Played Note on Piano: In 2011, Guinness World Records recognized an attempt by Chinese pianist Liu Jia, who held a piano key down for 4.5 hours in a Beijing theatre using a piece of wood wedged between the key and the pedal.
9. Largest and Smallest Pianos: The largest playable grand piano was constructed by Australian craftsman Paul McNulty in 2009. It measures approximately 6 meters (19.7 feet) long and weighs 2,000 kilograms (4,409 pounds). The smallest playable piano, known as the "micro piano," was created by Dieter Klusman and measures only 10.16 centimeters (4 inches) long.
10. Piano Tuning: Professional piano tuners use a tuning fork or electronic tuning equipment to adjust the pitch of each key. The tuner aims to achieve equal temperament, where all notes are tuned in a mathematically equal relationship to each other.
11. Playing with Gloves: Wearing gloves while playing the piano can affect the touch and technique of the pianist. The friction between the gloves and the keys can hinder delicate finger movements.
12. Piano Composition with Computer: Modern composers often use music software or digital audio workstations to compose piano music. These computer programs can simulate the sound of a piano, allowing composers to create virtual performances without the need for a physical instrument.