pianoforte
Hammered string instrument
Pianoforte is the formal or archaic name for the piano.
The instrument gets its name from its ability to play both soft (piano) and loud (forte) depending on how the keys are struck—a capability its predecessor, the harpsichord, lacked.
The word survives mainly in historical contexts and formal musical writing; in everyday speech, piano has long been standard.
Lock-operating instruments
- ivoryTusk-derived material
- ebonyDense dark tropical wood
- hammerTool for striking nails
- feltCompressed fiber textile
damper · action · soundboard · strings · pedal · tuning · touch · resonance
Live musical performance
- recitalSolo musical performance
- soloistUnaccompanied performer
- virtuosoSupremely accomplished performer
- performanceCarrying out a task
maestro · sonata · concerto · encore · accompaniment · repertoire · interpretation · pedaling
Agreement or musical blend
- chordNotes sounded simultaneously
- triadGroup of three
- consonanceHarmonious sound combination
- polyphonySimultaneous independent melodic lines
counterpoint · arpeggio · cadence · tonality · modulation · interval · diatonic · dissonance
Pleasing sequence of notes
- tuneMusical sequence of notes
- nocturneContemplative keyboard piece
- balladePoem with repeated refrain
- preludeIntroductory piece or event
rhapsody · lullaby · serenade · theme · motif · lyricism · opus · etude
Refined, graceful quality
- refinementElegance of manner
- sophisticationCultured elegance and complexity
- graceEffortless beauty of motion
- parlorFormal room for visitors
salon · drawing room · cultivated · classical · romantic · genteel · ornate · Victorian
keys
Lock-operating instruments
felt · damper · action · soundboard · strings · pedal · tuning · touch · resonance · cabinet
concert
Live musical performance
- recitalSolo musical performance
- soloistUnaccompanied performer
- virtuosoSupremely accomplished performer
performance · maestro · sonata · concerto · encore · accompaniment · repertoire · interpretation · pedaling · technique
harmony
Agreement or musical blend
- chordNotes sounded simultaneously
- triadGroup of three
- consonanceHarmonious sound combination
polyphony · counterpoint · arpeggio · cadence · tonality · modulation · interval · diatonic · dissonance · resolution
melody
Pleasing sequence of notes
prelude · rhapsody · lullaby · serenade · theme · motif · lyricism · opus · etude · impromptu
elegance
Refined, graceful quality
- refinementElegance of manner
- sophisticationCultured elegance and complexity
- graceEffortless beauty of motion
parlor · salon · drawing room · cultivated · classical · romantic · genteel · ornate · Victorian · formal
- 1700sMozart, Voltaire, colonial period, French Revolution, William III
- keyboard instrumentsorgan, harpsichord, clavichord, spinet, virginal
- Georgian EraGeorge III, Georgian architecture, Regency, Jane Austen, Adam style
- Regency eraseason, patronesses, patroness, Prince Regent, Jane Austen
- Jane AustenEmma, Pride and Prejudice, Mansfield Park, Northanger Abbey, Mr Darcy
- piano duetsfour hands, primo, secondo, duet partner, duet performance
pianoforteharpsichord
Plucked-string keyboard instrument
clavichord · virginal · spinet · pipe organ · organ
piano, forte, pianist, pianos, pianists, fortissimo, soft-pedal, pianola, pianissimo