Interesting Facts about the Piano

First modern piano was created in 1700 by Italian inventor Bartolomeo Cristofori.
There are 230 strings inside of ordinary modern piano.
One of the most expensive pianos ever sold was Victorian Steinway grand was valued at incredible $1.2 million.
Between 1700 and 1830, pianos were called by their original name – Pianoforte.
World’s most popular piano company Steinway opened its doors is 1853.
Piano is often called The King of Instruments.
Last note on the piano keyboard is a C. First note is A.
Grand pianos can sometimes weigh 700kg.
First piano patent was issued to H. Steinway in 1857.
Yamaha was first Japanese manufacturer of pianos. They started making them in 1887.
Between 1830 and 1840, two very popular piano designs were created – upright pianos and grand pianos.
First electric piano was made in 1947.
US currently hosts over 10 million pianos.
Almost all modern pianos have two or three pedals.
There are only two basic types of piano – Grand and Upright.

Strings of one grand piano are so strong that they can lift up 30 tons.
US piano manufacture was 25,000 pieces in 1869. It rose to 350,000 in 1910.
During 20th century, pianos received over 5000 brands. Today only around 50 are well respected.
World’s largest piano is called Challen Concert Grand, it is 11 feet long and weighs more than a ton.
Exact middle of the piano keyboard is space between E and F above "middle" C.
National museum in Vienna, Austria is showcasing Studio Piano that was used by Beethoven.
Pianos have over 12,000 parts, with 10,000 of them moving.
Tuning of a piano is a very complicated process. Brand new piano is tuned 4 times during its first year after it was made. This is done because wood changes form until it becomes more rigid.
Older piano needs to be tuned twice per year.
Around 70% of piano is wood. Keys are plastic, and other materials that are used are paper, iron, copper steel felt and few others.
Pianos are stringed instruments, but officially they are placed in percussion section in a symphony orchestra.
Sounds of pianos are made when between one and three hammers hit a string.