Trystan Casey
The electric piano is an electro-mechanical instrument that produces sound through mechanical hammers striking metal strings, reeds, or wire tines, which are converted into electrical signals by pickups. The first steps towards the electric piano were taken in 1748 when the Denis d'or, a stringed instrument with 700 electrified strings, was built by Václav Prokop Diviš. The first electric piano was invented in 1929, with the Neo-Bechstein electric grand piano being one of the first. The electric piano gained popularity in the late 1950s, reaching its height of popularity in the 1970s.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| First electric piano | Neo-Bechstein electric grand piano, invented in 1929 |
| Other early electric pianos | Vierlang-Forster electric piano (1937), RCA Storytone electric piano (1939) |
| First electric musical instrument | Denis d'or stringed instrument, invented by Václav Prokop Diviš in 1748 |
| First electrically activated keyboard | Clavecin électrique, invented by Jean Baptiste Thillaie de Laborde in 1760 |
| First electric musical instrument with sound production | Musical telegraph, invented by Elisha Gray in 1874 |
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What You'll Learn
The first electric piano was invented in 1929
The invention of the electric piano was a significant milestone in the evolution of keyboard instruments, which have a long and fascinating history. The earliest known keyboard instrument was the organ, which first appeared in Ancient Greece around 300 BCE as the hydraulis, a type of water organ. Over time, the organ evolved into smaller and more portable versions, such as the portative and positive organs.
In the 14th century, the clavichord and harpsichord were introduced, marking another important step in the development of keyboard instruments. The harpsichord, in particular, with its system of strings and soundboard, closely resembled the structure of the piano. However, neither the clavichord nor the harpsichord allowed for volume control through touch; the piano, invented in the early 1700s by Bartolomeo Cristofori, revolutionized this aspect of keyboard instruments.
The first electric musical instrument was the Denis d'or, built by Václav Prokop Diviš in 1748, with 700 temporarily electrified strings. However, it was not until the late 1920s that the first electric pianos were invented, with the Neo-Bechstein model being one of the pioneers. The popularity of the electric piano grew in the late 1950s, reaching its peak in the 1970s.
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The Neo-Bechstein electric piano was built in 1931
The first electric piano was invented in 1929, and the Neo-Bechstein electric piano was built in 1931. The Neo-Bechstein electric piano was one of the first electric pianos, and it played a significant role in the evolution of the electric piano.
The Neo-Bechstein electric piano was a groundbreaking invention that paved the way for future innovations in electric piano design and technology. It represented a significant advancement in the world of musical instruments, combining traditional piano elements with modern electrical components. This innovative instrument captivated musicians and audiences alike, ushering in a new era of musical possibilities.
The development of the Neo-Bechstein electric piano was a meticulous process, involving the integration of electrical components with the familiar piano structure. Its creators sought to enhance the piano-playing experience, amplifying the sound to ensure it could be heard by larger audiences. This amplification was achieved through the use of electromagnetic pickups, which captured the vibrations produced by the piano's strings or reeds, converting them into electrical signals.
The Neo-Bechstein electric piano's design reflected its time, incorporating the latest technological advancements. Its creators understood the potential of electricity to enhance musical instruments, and they harnessed this power to amplify the piano's sound. This fusion of traditional craftsmanship and modern technology resulted in a unique instrument that captivated musicians and paved the way for future innovations.
The impact of the Neo-Bechstein electric piano extended beyond its time, influencing subsequent generations of piano designers and musicians. Its introduction in 1931 marked a pivotal moment in the evolution of the electric piano, inspiring further experimentation and innovation. The success of the Neo-Bechstein demonstrated the viability and appeal of electric pianos, encouraging manufacturers to explore new designs and technologies.
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Early electric piano recordings were made in 1955
The first electric piano was invented in 1929, with the Neo-Bechstein electric grand piano among the first. However, the electric piano did not gain popularity until the late 1950s, with early electric piano recordings made in 1955.
In 1955, the Wurlitzer Company released their first electric piano, the Model 100. This was a significant development in the history of the electric piano and led to the increased use of the instrument in recordings and performances.
Early recordings featuring the electric piano include Duke Ellington's in 1955 and Sun Ra's "India", as well as other tracks from the 1956 sessions included on his second album, "Super Sonic Jazz" (also known as "Super Sonic Sounds"). These recordings showcased the unique sound and potential of the electric piano, helping to generate interest and excitement around the instrument.
The popularity of the electric piano continued to grow in the late 1950s, with Ray Charles's 1959 hit record, "What'd I Say", further exposing audiences to the instrument. The electric piano's rise was also influenced by the progressive electrification of popular music and the need for a portable keyboard instrument capable of high-volume amplification.
The electric piano offered a new dimension to keyboard instruments, combining mechanical hammers with electric sound technology. Unlike a synthesizer, the electric piano is not an electronic instrument but an electro-mechanical one, where the sound is produced by mechanical hammers striking metal strings, reeds, or wire tines, and the resulting vibrations are converted into electrical signals by pickups.
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Electric pianos gained popularity in the 1970s
The electric piano was invented in 1929, with the Neo-Bechstein electric grand piano being one of the first. However, it was in the 1970s that the popularity of the electric piano truly took off. This surge in popularity came about due to several factors, including the progressive electrification of popular music and the need for a portable keyboard instrument with high-volume amplification capabilities. Musicians embraced various types of domestic electric pianos for rock and pop performances, prompting manufacturers to modify existing models for stage use and develop new ones specifically for this purpose.
The evolution of the electric piano can be traced back to the 1930s, with the introduction of the Neo-Bechstein electric piano in 1931 and the Vierlang-Forster electric piano in 1937. These early electric pianos laid the foundation for further innovations in the decades that followed. The 1950s witnessed the release of groundbreaking recordings featuring the electric piano, such as Duke Ellington's in 1955 and Sun Ra's "India" in 1956.
The electric piano's popularity continued to grow in the late 1950s, particularly after Ray Charles' 1959 hit record, "What'd I Say". This momentum carried into the 1960s, a decade that saw the emergence of the iconic Fender Rhodes series, which utilised rod-shaped tines and coil pickups. The invention of the transistor in 1959 also played a pivotal role, ushering in an era of increasingly compact keyboards that retained the aesthetic appeal of their bulkier predecessors while benefiting from reduced weight.
The 1970s marked a pinnacle of popularity for the electric piano, with musicians embracing its unique capabilities and incorporating it into their performances. However, this success was short-lived as electric pianos gradually gave way to more lightweight and electronically-inclined instruments. Despite this shift, the electric piano left an indelible mark on the musical landscape, influencing both the design and sound of subsequent keyboard instruments.
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The piano was invented in Italy in the early 1700s
By the 17th century, the mechanisms of keyboard instruments such as the clavichord and the harpsichord were well developed. The harpsichord was ubiquitous throughout society. However, harpsichord was not "touch-sensitive", meaning it would play the same volume, regardless of how hard each key was played. The original name of the piano in Italian was the "Fortepiano" as “forte” translates to “loud”, and “piano” means soft.
The invention of the piano is credited to Bartolomeo Cristofori of Padua, Italy, who was employed by Ferdinando de' Medici, Grand Prince of Tuscany, as the Keeper of the Instruments. Cristofori was an expert harpsichord maker and was well acquainted with the body of knowledge on stringed keyboard instruments. He invented the piano around the year 1700. Cristofori's new instrument remained relatively unknown until an Italian writer, Scipione Maffei, wrote an enthusiastic article about it in 1711, including a diagram of the mechanism, that was translated into German and widely distributed.
The first electric pianos were invented in the late 1920s. The 1929 Neo-Bechstein electric grand piano was among the first. The Neo-Bechstein electric piano was built in 1931 and the Vierlang-Forster electric piano was introduced in 1937. The RCA Storytone electric piano was built in 1939 and debuted at the 1939 World's Fair.
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Frequently asked questions
The first electric musical instrument of any type was the Denis d'or, built by Václav Prokop Diviš in 1748. It had 700 strings temporarily electrified to enhance their sonic qualities.
The first electric piano was invented in 1929. The Neo-Bechstein electric piano was built in 1931, and the Vierlang-Forster electric piano was introduced in 1937.
The popularity of the electric piano began to grow in the late 1950s after Ray Charles's 1959 hit record "What'd I Say". It reached its height during the 1970s.
Unlike a synthesizer, the electric piano is not an electronic instrument but an electro-mechanical one. The piano is classified as a string instrument due to the sound coming from the vibration of strings, but it can also be classified as a percussion instrument because a hammer strikes those strings.
