The piano is an instrument that has been entertaining people since the 18th century. It was originally designed by Bartolomeo Cristofori around the year 1700 as an update to the harpsichord—a keyboard instrument where the strings are plucked instead of being hit with a hammer.

He simply added the hammer mechanism and made a few minor adjustments to create the modern piano. This instrument has since become a very popular one, especially in the United States, where over 21 million people play it. It is an instrument so beloved that September was designated as National Piano Month, a time for piano players and those who enjoy its music to come together.

The History of National Piano Month

Even though we easily discovered the history of the piano, our search for the history of National Piano Month was not so fruitful. We were unable to discover who established this month or when it was first observed.

Obviously, it was initiated by someone who either loved pianos, currently plays the piano, or has manufactured pianos. We will continue to search for the origins of this month, but at this moment, it remains a mystery to us.

Facts About the Piano

Let’s go over some quick facts about pianos that we think everyone will appreciate. People should check out the following facts to see if they inspire them to buy a new piano, learn how to play the piano, or learn more about the piano.

• A piano can play melody and accompaniment simultaneously.
• Each piano string holds approximately 168 pounds of tension.
• Piano keys were made from elephant tusks until the 1950s.
• The word “piano” is a shortened version of “pianoforte”—a word that means soft (piano) and loud (forte).
• An average piano has over 10,000 moving parts and a total of 12,000 parts altogether.
• The frame of a piano is usually made from cast iron.

Observing National Piano Month

Observing this month couldn’t be simpler, regardless of whether a person actually knows how to play the piano or not. For people who can play the piano, it’s the perfect month to entertain friends and family members with an impromptu concert.

For people who don’t play the piano, it’s a good month to learn more about the piano, listen to piano music, or attend a piano concert. This is also a good month to let everyone know about National Piano Month.

People can spread the word about it using the hashtag #NationalPianoMonth or simply by telling friends and family about it. People can even send out greeting cards wishing others a Happy National Piano Month. Let’s all get everyone excited about pianos and piano music.