Otis Singleton
The history of keyboard instruments dates back to ancient times, with the first keyboard, a pipe organ, invented in Ancient Greece around 300 BCE. Over the centuries, various keyboard instruments were developed, including the harpsichord and clavichord in the 14th century and the pianoforte in the 18th century. The invention of electric sound technology paved the way for electric keyboards, with the first electric musical instrument, the Denis d'or, created in 1748. The electric piano was introduced in 1929, and the first portable synthesizer keyboard, the Ondioline, was introduced in 1941. The 1980s saw the introduction of the digital piano, offering high-quality acoustic piano sounds and simulating the feel of acoustic pianos.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| First electric musical instrument | Denis d'or stringed instrument, built by Václav Prokop Diviš in 1748 |
| First electric keyboard instrument | Clavecin électrique, developed by Jean Baptiste Thillaie de Laborde in 1760 |
| First electric piano | Invented in 1929 |
| First truly portable synthesizer keyboard | Georges Jenny's Ondioline, introduced in 1941 |
| First digital piano | Introduced in the 1980s |
| MIDI (Musical Instrument Digital Interface) invention | 1983 |
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What You'll Learn
The first electric piano was invented in 1929
The electric piano was invented in 1929, marking a significant milestone in the evolution of keyboard instruments. By the 1920s, the piano industry was experiencing a significant decline, with demand down by 92% compared to the early 1900s. In an attempt to revive the industry, piano manufacturers sought innovation, and the electric piano was born.
The first electric piano, the Neo-Bechstein, was introduced in 1929. It was an ambitious project that nearly bankrupted the company. This piano was unique in its design, with electromagnetic pickups amplifying the sound instead of a traditional soundboard. The absence of a soundboard gave the instrument an art deco, ultramodern appearance for its time. The Neo-Bechstein offered a highly malleable piano sound, similar to an electric guitar or synthesizer.
The invention of the electric piano was a significant step in the electrification of keyboard instruments. Prior to this, there had been experiments with electric sound technology, such as the Denis d'or stringed instrument in 1748 and the clavecin électrique in 1760. However, these early instruments did not use electricity to produce sound. The Neo-Bechstein, on the other hand, fully embraced electric sound production.
The electric piano gained popularity in the late 1950s, particularly after Ray Charles' hit record "What'd I Say" in 1959. Its peak popularity occurred in the 1970s, with the sound becoming ubiquitous in that decade's music. The Fender Rhodes piano, introduced in 1959, played a significant role in the electric piano's success. It offered a pure, tinkling tone that could be run through various effects, captivating musicians and audiences alike.
The impact of the electric piano extended beyond its time, influencing the development of digital pianos and electronic keyboards in the 1980s and beyond. The digital piano, with its high-quality acoustic piano sounds and simulated acoustic piano action, offered a more compact, lightweight, and versatile alternative to the electric piano. Despite the advancements in digital technology, some performers still choose to use vintage electric pianos for their unique sound and character.
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The first truly portable synthesizer keyboard was the Ondioline
The history of keyboard instruments dates back to the 3rd century BCE, with the development of the hydraulis, a water organ, in Ancient Greece. Over the centuries, various advancements and innovations led to the creation of modern keyboards as we know them today. The first electric musical instrument was the Denis d'or, built by Václav Prokop Diviš in 1748, but it was not until the 20th century that the first truly portable synthesizer keyboard was developed.
In 1941, Georges Jenny created the Ondioline, a revolutionary electronic analog synthesizer. The Ondioline was designed to be lightweight and portable, in stark contrast to its predecessors, which weighed hundreds of pounds. This synthesizer was capable of producing a wide variety of sounds, including imitations of instruments such as the violin, cello, saxophone, trumpet, guitar, and mandolin. The Ondioline's keyboard was suspended on custom-designed springs, allowing for natural vibrato when the keys were manipulated laterally.
The Ondioline was conceived by Jenny in 1939 while he was recovering from tuberculosis in a sanatorium in southern France. He spent years refining and reconfiguring the device, creating dozens of models. The Ondioline was first introduced to the market in the mid-1940s, and it quickly gained popularity. It was used in various musical genres, from pop to rock, and featured in hit records such as "More" by Kai Winding in 1963 and "Suspicion" by Terry Stafford in 1964.
The Ondioline's design was based on the Ondes Martenot, an early electronic instrument invented in 1928 by Maurice Martenot. However, Jenny's creation was intended to be a more affordable and versatile alternative. The Ondioline had a filter panel with sliders that allowed for tone modification, and its volume was controlled by a knee lever. This synthesizer was a significant step forward in the evolution of keyboard instruments, paving the way for further innovations in the industry.
The Ondioline, with its portability, versatility, and innovative features, played a pivotal role in shaping the future of synthesizer keyboards. It inspired subsequent generations of musicians and instrument designers, leaving an indelible mark on the world of music and technology.
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The Wurlitzer Electronic Piano was first manufactured in 1954
The history of keyboard instruments dates back to the 3rd century BCE with the invention of the hydraulis, a water organ, in Ancient Greece. Over the centuries, various keyboard instruments were developed, such as the clavichord and harpsichord in the 14th century, and the pianoforte in the 18th century. The first electric musical instrument was created in 1748 by Václav Prokop Diviš, known as the Denis d'or stringed instrument. However, it was not until 1954 that the Wurlitzer Electronic Piano, a significant innovation in the world of keyboard instruments, was first manufactured.
The Wurlitzer Electronic Piano was built by The Rudolph Wurlitzer Company, often referred to simply as Wurlitzer. The company was founded in 1853 by German immigrant Franz Rudolph Wurlitzer and initially focused on importing and reselling musical instruments. In 1880, Wurlitzer began manufacturing pianos and later expanded into other instruments, including band organs, orchestrions, and player pianos.
The Wurlitzer Electronic Piano was a result of the company's research and investment in electronic piano action. The first model, the EP-110 (or simply "100"), was introduced in 1954 and featured a unique design where it struck reeds instead of strings. This allowed for a more compact instrument compared to acoustic pianos. The early models were produced in a small factory in Corinth, Mississippi, and featured removable legs and a sustain pedal.
The Wurlitzer piano became popular with bar bands and amateur musicians due to its portability and the consistent playing experience it offered. It also found a significant role in educational settings, with non-portable console versions being used in schools and colleges. The teacher could use headphones and a microphone to listen to and communicate with each student individually, and multiple student instruments could be connected together. The Wurlitzer Electronic Piano's versatility, distinctive sound, and technological advancements solidified its place in musical history.
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The Rhodes Electric Piano was invented in the mid-1960s
The history of keyboard instruments dates back to the 3rd century BCE, with the evolution of the pipe organ. Over the centuries, various advancements and innovations led to the development of modern keyboards. The Rhodes piano, also known as the Fender Rhodes piano, is a significant contribution to the world of electric keyboards.
In 1946, Harold Rhodes founded the Rhodes Piano Corporation and introduced the Rhodes Pre-Piano, which was the first electric Rhodes piano. This early version featured a built-in amp, a 38-note keyboard, and a wooden top. The Pre-Piano gained traction, and by 1948, it was being used in the Los Angeles public school system and other cities.
Following the success of the Pre-Piano, Rhodes partnered with Leo Fender in 1959, and they began working on the next iteration: the Fender Rhodes Piano Bass. This model utilised the bottom 32 notes and gained popularity, with The Doors' keyboardist Ray Manzarek using it extensively. In 1965, Fender was bought by CBS, and that same year, they released the Fender Rhodes Mark I.
The mid-1960s marked the beginning of the famous Fender Rhodes series, which used rod-shaped tines mounted on a steel piece parallel to them, with a coil pickup on each tine. The full-size Rhodes Electric Piano was introduced after the sale of Fender to CBS, and it became a staple in the music industry, defining genres and inspiring musicians worldwide.
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The first keyboard was a pipe organ invented in Ancient Greece in 300 BCE
The history of the keyboard instrument dates back to Ancient Greece in 300 BCE, with the invention of the first keyboard, a pipe organ. This early keyboard instrument laid the foundation for subsequent developments in keyboard technology over the centuries.
In the 14th century, two new keyboard instruments emerged: the clavichord and the harpsichord. The clavichord, with its tangent-struck strings, offered a softer sound but lacked the volume needed for larger venues. On the other hand, the harpsichord, with its quill-plucked strings, became popular and is still used for recording keyboard music composed before the piano's invention.
The invention of the pianoforte in the 18th century marked a significant revolution in keyboard history. Created in Italy by Bartolomeo Cristofori, it allowed for dynamic volume control and had metal strings struck by hammers activated by pressing or striking the keys. This innovation paved the way for the modern piano.
The late 1800s witnessed the culmination of these centuries of experimentation, resulting in the evolution of the piano into its modern form. The invention of the transistor in 1959 further spurred the production of more compact keyboards, leading to the creation of home organs and "combo organs" like the Vox Continental and the Gibson G101.
The electric keyboard's evolution began with the application of electric sound technology. The Denis d'or, crafted by Václav Prokop Diviš in 1748, was the first electric musical instrument with 700 electrified strings. Subsequently, in 1760, Jean Baptiste Thillaie de Laborde introduced the clavecin électrique, an electrically activated keyboard. However, neither of these instruments used electricity to generate sound.
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Frequently asked questions
The first electric musical instrument was the Denis d'or, built by Václav Prokop Diviš in 1748. However, the first truly portable synthesizer keyboard was invented in 1941 by Georges Jenny.
The Denis d'or was the first electric musical instrument, but the first electric keyboard was the clavecin électrique, developed in 1760 by Jean Baptiste Thillaie de Laborde.
The 1960s and 1970s saw the rise of synthesizer technologies, with companies like Fender and Vox producing electric keyboards that became widely used.
The first digital piano was introduced in the 1980s, but the Wurlitzer Electronic Piano, invented in 1954, was an early keyboard instrument designed to feel like an acoustic piano.
