The Abbeville banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1847-1869, 1859-03-10
HISTORY OF THE PIANO.

The Boston Express has an interesting
article on the Piano, condensation o
which we think will lie Of interest 10 our
readers. Fifty years ago the instruments,
though very inferior to those of the prescnt
DAY, commanded cxtravagant prices, and
were within the reach of bit fcw T'iano
forte players, too, were quite as rare as the
instruments; but now, when tho prices Of
the instruments bring them within tho
means OF almost all classes, knowledge of
the piano constitute the clief part Of a
lady's accomplishments.
The writer proceeds to say that tho
Piano forte Of to-day WAS not an invention
ny ltself-no one pretcnls to find a claim.
ant for it. 1t has been perfected step by
step, through succession Of ages and
probably the thing first conceived, which
ultimately led to something like a Piano, no
moro resembled Piano.tortc than a boot
jack resembles one of Grover tS Bakers
nicely working sewing machines.
The first approach to it, or the first idea
which finally developed the Piano, was an
instrument called the psattoion or tympn-
nam, which was simply box, across which
strings or wires were placed, AMI turned SO
as to form the common scale in music
Tie sounds were produced by striking the
strings or wires with two light hammers,
ore held i'll each hand. 1t was an ,nsru
ment Of Greek origin, though much in use
by the Hebrews. The instrument known
as the Dulcimer Of the present day, bore
a nearer resemblance to it than any instru.
ment with which we are acquainted.
The invention Of the Uaricho,W was the
next step towards the manufacture Of the
Piano-forte. This instrument was an i'm
provement on the psaltcrion or tympanum,
a keyboard for the first time being used, hy
which small plates Of copper were made to
act upon the strings. After the Clavichord
another instrument called the GuricA.
therian, in which cat gut strings were sub.
stituted for wires, and acted upon by soft
leather hammers.
Another instrument, which it is said
Queen Elizabeth was fond of playing Upon,
was called the Viryinial. 1t was keyed
instrument, wire metallic strings vibrated by
quilts attached to the ends of levers. 1t
probably derived its name from the fact
that the Virgin Queen held it in high cst-
nation.
The Spinet was of similar construction
to the Virginia.. 1t was formed, however,
like the square Piano OF much later peri
Cd.
The HarpsicAord, much lator invcn.
ton, was first known about the year 1880
Its shape was similar to that of the grand
Piano forte, had two rows or banks of keys,
and could be used together or separately,
the lower bank giving at the same touch the
notes of the upper. In this instrument
the jack, with movable tongue, through
which was passed quill, was first used,
but go different in its effects upon the string
that some writer satirically describes the
tone as q scratch with sound at the end
of ,t.r However harsh and disagreeable
the tones Of this instrument must have
been, compared to the poorest Pianos now
used, we would remind the instrument con.
noiseur that the fine productions Of the
Bachs. Beethoven, Handel, Mozart, Gle
menti and others were composed upon it.
| Many years later, maker of musical
instruments Of Paris, by the name Of Ma
rius, improved the action by the suLstitu-
tion Of small hammers instead of quilIs-
A Florentiue, by the name Of Christophcro,
so much improved the discovery Of Marius
that it may be said to form the basis of
most Of the subsequent improvements and,
in fact, lie may claim to have the first
Pianoforte. It could be made to play
both loud and sofl-hcncc the name Of
Pianofor,e. The next great improvements
were made about the year 1860, by Zampo
of London, who met with so great success
that he realized a handsome fortune in the
manufacture of them, the demand for his
instruments being greater on the continent.
than at home.
A rival establishment to Zumpe's was
soon in operation in Germany, under the
auspices of SiIbcrman, and another at
Paris, by the brothers Erard. Still tho
English Pianos maintained their superiority
for some TIME, and Clement, Kirkman, and
one or two others. divided the business, if |
not The honors, with Zumpe, Of making
ths best Pianos for many years. The ecle
bYated Instruments Of Broadwood are of
/ fatef date. - .@' = +-'-' >---'
The defendants Of tho Erards, however,
now claim 70 make the best Pianos IN the
world, and we understand that English ma
kem do not pretend to dispute their claim.
| TO- superiority. - - -.. r.. .,.~.st ~.
T. Phe'writef then stntes that in this eoun
try Rtst class Pianos have not been made
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