History and musical performance
Much of the most widely admired
piano repertoire in
classical music, for example, that of
Haydn,
Mozart, and
Beethoven, was composed for a type of instrument (the
fortepiano) that is rather different from modern instruments this music is normally performed on today. Even the music of the
Romantic movement, including
Liszt,
Chopin,
Robert Schumann,
Felix Mendelssohn and
Johannes Brahms, was written for pianos substantially different from modern pianos.
Starting in Beethoven's later career, the fortepiano evolved into the
modern piano as we know it today. Modern pianos were in wide use by the
late 19th century. They featured an octave range larger than the
earlier fortepiano instrument, adding around 30 more keys to the
instrument. The mechanical action structure of the upright piano was
invented in London, England in 1826 by
Robert Wornum, and upright models became the most popular model, also amplifying the sound.
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Mass production in factories made them more affordable for a larger
number of people. They appeared in music halls and pubs during the 19th
century, providing entertainment through a piano soloist, or in
combination with a small band. Pianists began accompanying singers or
dancers performing on stage, or patrons dancing on a dance floor.
During the 19th century, American musicians playing for working-class audiences in small pubs and bars, particularly
African-American composers, developed new musical genres based on the modern piano.
Ragtime music, popularized by composers such as
Scott Joplin, reached a broader audience by 1900. The popularity of ragtime music was quickly succeeded by
Jazz piano. New techniques and rhythms were invented for the piano, including
ostinato for
boogie woogie, and
Shearing voicing.
George Gershwin's
Rhapsody in Blue broke new musical ground by combining American jazz piano with symphonic sounds.
Comping, a technique for accompanying jazz vocalists on piano, was exemplified by
Duke Ellington's technique.
Honky tonk music, featuring yet another style of piano rhythm, became popular during the same era.
Bebop techniques grew out of jazz, with leading composers such as
Thelonious Monk and
Bud Powell. In the late 20th century,
Bill Evans composed pieces combining classical techniques with his jazz experimentations.
Herbie Hancock was one of the first jazz pianists to find mainstream popularity working with newer urban music techniques.
Pianos have also been used in rock and roll by entertainers such as
Jerry Lee Lewis,
Little Richard,
Elton John, and
Billy Joel to name just a few.
Modernist styles of music have also appealed to composers writing for the modern grand piano, including
John Cage and
Philip Glass.