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redirect6|Pianoforte|earlier versions of the
instrument|Fortepiano|other uses of "Piano"|Piano
(disambiguation) The piano is a musical instrument which is
played by means of a keyboard. Widely used in Western music for
solo performances, ensemble use, chamber music, and
accompaniment, the piano is also very popular as an aid to
composing and rehearsal. Although not portable and often
expensive, the piano's versatility and ubiquity have made it one
of the world's most familiar musical instruments. Pressing a key
on the piano's keyboard causes a felt covered hammer to strike
steel strings. The hammers rebound, allowing the strings to
continue vibrating at their resonant frequency. These vibrations
are transmitted through a bridge to a sounding board that
couples the acoustic energy to the air so that it can be heard
as sound. When the key is released, a damper stops the string's
vibration. Pianos are sometimes classified as both percussion
and stringed i