Keyboard Instruments

1
Keyboard Instruments

• The Many Functions

2
Piano

• The piano became an orchestral instrument in the
  latter part of the 19th century and has become
  extensively used since the 20th century.
• The piano has been used in many ways
• As the soloist in a concerto
• As of performer of the obbligato part
• As a purely orchestral instrument
• As a percussion instrument
• As a filler, covering parts where players are
  lacking.

3
Piano

• The range is from A0 to C8.
• The piano has three pedals
• The damper pedal on the right -- when depressed
  it allows the strings to freely vibrate
• The una corda pedal is on the left -- it makes
  the piano softer by either moving the hammers
  closer to the strings (upright) or moving the
  hammers so they hit only one or two of the
  strings
• The sostenuto pedal is in the center -- it
  sustains pitches that are depressed at the time
  the pedal is put into action. It is not
  available on all pianos

4
Piano

• Special effects include
• Prepared piano -- nails, screws, bolts, and glass
  or metal rods, wedged between the strings or
  placed on top
• Striking the strings with various beaters or
  sticks
• Plucking the strings with fingers
• Special instruments such as an upright or toy
  piano.
• There are reference books describing techniques
  to prepare a piano. As always, check with a
  performer to see what is possible.

5
Celesta

• The celesta is a steel-bar piano which sounds
  like a glockenspiel.
• The written range is from C2 to C7, sounding an
  octave higher.
• Melodic lines, chords, and arpeggios are very
  effective.

6
Harpsichord

• Throughout the Baroque, it was a standard member
  of the continuo.
• The harpsichord produces sound by plucking the
  strings when a key is depressed.
• Because of the mechanism, and the lack of a metal
  frame like the piano, the dynamic range is
  limited.
• Some instruments have two manuals and pedals
  which can couple the registrations to get a
  variety of sounds (more or less volume, lute
  stop, etc.).