World of Musical Instruments

Piano

Piano

The piano is a keyboard instrument central to classical, jazz and popular music. Each key on the keyboard operates a mechanism that causes a felt‑covered hammer to strike metal strings inside a wooden case. When a key is pressed, the hammer strikes the strings and rebounds, allowing the strings to vibrate freely. The vibrations are transmitted to a soundboard, which amplifies the sound. The piano is therefore classified as a chordophone, though it also features elements of percussion because its strings are struck rather than plucked.

Family Chordophone (String)
Keys Usually 88 on modern pianos
Playing method Pressing keys to activate hammers that strike strings
Special features Sustain and soft pedals allow control over tone and sustain

[1] Music Rising notes that the piano is played using a keyboard and that pressing a key causes a hammer to strike metal strings inside a wooden case【664409572199334†L21-L33】.

[2] The same source explains that the vibration of the strings is transmitted to a soundboard and that the instrument is classified as a chordophone【664409572199334†L35-L43】.