Keyboard instrument

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Musical instrument played using a keyboard

Keyboard instrument

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Other names
Classification	Chordophone, Aerophone, Electrophone
Hornbostel–Sachs classification
Inventor(s)
Developed

A keyboard instrument is a musical instrument played using a keyboard, a row of levers which are pressed by the fingers. The most common of these is the piano, which is used in a wide variety of musical genres, including classical music, jazz, and popular music. Other keyboard instruments include the organ (music), harpsichord, clavichord, and various types of synthesizers and electronic keyboards.

History

The history of keyboard instruments dates back to ancient times. The earliest known keyboard instrument is the hydraulis, a type of water organ that was used in ancient Greece. The clavichord and harpsichord were developed in the Middle Ages and were widely used during the Renaissance and Baroque periods. The modern piano was invented in the early 18th century by Bartolomeo Cristofori, and it quickly became one of the most popular keyboard instruments.

Types of Keyboard Instruments

Piano

The piano is a stringed instrument that produces sound by striking strings with hammers. It is widely used in both solo and ensemble settings and is known for its wide dynamic range and expressive capabilities.

Organ

The organ (music) is a keyboard instrument that produces sound by driving air through pipes or reeds. It is commonly used in church music and has a long history dating back to ancient Greece.

Harpsichord

The harpsichord is a keyboard instrument that produces sound by plucking strings with quills. It was widely used during the Renaissance and Baroque periods but fell out of favor with the advent of the piano.

Clavichord

The clavichord is a keyboard instrument that produces sound by striking strings with metal tangents. It is known for its delicate and expressive sound and was popular during the Renaissance and Baroque periods.

Synthesizer

The synthesizer is an electronic keyboard instrument that generates sound using electronic circuits. It became popular in the 20th century and is widely used in electronic music and popular music.

Accordion

The accordion is a portable keyboard instrument that produces sound by forcing air through reeds. It is commonly used in folk music and popular music.

Playing Techniques

Keyboard instruments are played by pressing keys with the fingers. The keys are arranged in a specific order, with the white keys representing the natural notes and the black keys representing the sharps and flats. Different playing techniques are used for different types of keyboard instruments. For example, the piano is played by striking the keys with varying degrees of force, while the organ is played by pressing the keys and using foot pedals to control the airflow.

Notable Keyboard Composers and Performers

Many famous composers and performers have been associated with keyboard instruments. Some of the most notable include Johann Sebastian Bach, Ludwig van Beethoven, Frédéric Chopin, and Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. In the 20th century, notable keyboard performers include Vladimir Horowitz, Glenn Gould, and Keith Jarrett.

Related Pages

• Piano
• Organ (music)
• Harpsichord
• Clavichord
• Synthesizer
• Accordion
• Electronic keyboard
• Musical instrument
• Music theory