Keyboard Instruments

Orchestral music from the Baroque period (about ) almost always features the harpsichord. It has a Delicate sound. When a key is pressed, a plectrum plucks a string.

It has felt covered Hammers that strike the strings. The Piano was invented in Italy in the beginning of the 18th Century. The first name for the piano was actually the Pianoforte because it can play both Softly (piano) and Loudly (forte).

The Modern Piano has 88 Keys. Most often plays as a solo Instrument (meaning by itself) The Harpsichord and Piano are Chordophones because strings are struck to make sound.

Pipe Organs have three or four Manuals (rows of keys) The Bellows provide the air that is blown through the pipes. The Pipe Organ is an Aerophone because air is blown through pipes to make sound.

The Celesta is the smallest keyboard instrument Pressing the keys causes little Metal Plates to be struck. Makes a delicate, Bell like sound.

In the Orchestra, the keyboard instruments are generally considered part of the Percussion Section.