Surprising Reason Why the Piano has 88 Keys

July 26, 2021 Leslie Young

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We take for granted that the piano has 88 keys. Did you know that the first instrument to use the hammer action like the piano had only 54 keys? This was Bartolomeo Cristofori’s invention of 1700. This maker and inventor of musical instruments was born in Venice, Italy.

Cristofori is credited with making the first keyboard instrument that could be played either loudly or softly depending on how forcefully each key was struck. This was quite different than the existing harpsichord’s monotone volume produced by plucked-action strings (like a harp). Here is a photo of a hammer raised to strike a string as result of a piano key being struck.

This new piano keyboard started with 54 keys, but as its use expanded, more keys were added because composers wanted a broader range of pitches. Adding keys in response to demand over time resulted in a total of 88 keys around 200 years later, and this became the standard. But why stop at 88?

The modern 88 keys are a length of 7 and 1/4th octaves that range from 27.5 Hz to 4,186 Hz. We can hear a bit more sound than that – about 20 Hz to 20,000 Hz – but really, after 4,000 Hz it just sounds unappealing and low keys are growly. So the piano has 88 keys because that’s really the most pleasing range of sounds to our ear!

Leslie Young is the author/composer of the Revolutionary Piano Method. She co-founded a K-12th grade charter school in Texas and has been a piano teacher for about 40 years. She has had experience teaching a variety of students tackling piano for the first time or as returning students.

She states: “In teaching piano to students of varying ages, what also varies is a commitment of time and the amount of dedication. Children of certain ages may do very well with a parent as teacher; others may need someone who is not family to instruct them. Some older children and adults prefer to make progress on their own, and this method is designed to act as a meticulous guide through new material. Some adults and teens insist on professional teachers, which also encourages continuity. Because these books are self-explanatory, a new or experienced professional teacher will have no trouble using the Revolutionary Piano Method with students. It is an easy way to learn piano.”

Leslie believe that “learning to play the piano is more about diligence and perseverance” – but would add that just as critical to success is the method that is used, the encouragement of critical thinking, and the instructional principles that promote immediate success.

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