piano
piano
Pronunciation
/piˈænoʊ/.
Here's a breakdown of the sounds in each syllable:
First syllable (pi-):
/p/: Voiceless bilabial plosive
/i/: Close front unrounded vowel (as in "fleet")
Second syllable (-a-):
/æ/: Near-open front unrounded vowel (as in "cat")
Third syllable (-no):
/n/: Alveolar nasal
/oʊ/: Close-mid back rounded vowel (as in "goat")
Word Form Variations
Noun:
Singular: piano (e.g., "I play the piano.")
Plural: pianos (e.g., "There are three pianos in the room.")
While "piani" is sometimes seen as a plural, especially given its Italian origin, "pianos" is overwhelmingly the more common and accepted plural in English.
Adjective: piano (used in musical contexts to mean "soft" or "quiet")
(e.g., "The music calls for a piano passage here.")
Adverb: piano (used in musical contexts to mean "softly" or "quietly")
(e.g., "Play this section piano.")
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Noun
1. A large, complex musical instrument featuring a keyboard that, when pressed, causes felt-covered hammers to strike taut strings, producing a wide range of musical tones and dynamics.
Synonyms: pianoforte, keyboard instrument, grand piano, upright (referring to a type of piano), ivories (informal, referring to the keys)
Antonyms: (No direct antonyms, as it describes a specific object.)
2. (Music) A passage or section of music intended to be played softly.
Synonyms: quiet passage, soft section, pianissimo (even softer)
Antonyms: forte (loud passage), fortissimo (very loud passage)
Adjective
1. (Music) Indicating a soft or quiet volume in performance.
Synonyms: soft, quiet, subdued, gentle, hushed, low (in volume)
Antonyms: forte (loud), strong, booming, vibrant
Adverb
1. (Music) To be played or sung softly; with a gentle or subdued volume.
Synonyms: softly, quietly, gently, delicately, in a low voice/tone
Antonyms: loudly, strongly, forcefully, resoundingly, vigorously
Examples of Use
In Books:
"He spent hours in the quiet study, his fingers gliding over the keys of the piano, lost in the complex melodies of Chopin." (Referring to the instrument)
"The story opens with a haunting description of an old, dusty piano in an abandoned house, a symbol of forgotten joy and sorrow." (Referring to the instrument)
"The score marked the next section piano, demanding a delicate touch and subdued expression from the orchestra." (Referring to the musical dynamic, adjective)
In Thad Carhart's "The Piano Shop on the Left Bank," the author explores the world of piano craftsmanship and the emotional connection people have to their instruments.
In Newspapers:
"Local prodigy to perform classical piano concert at the city hall next month." (Referring to the instrument)
"The article detailed the intricate restoration of a vintage grand piano, highlighting the meticulous work involved."
"Music critics praised the conductor's decision to play the movement piano, creating a surprisingly intimate atmosphere in the large concert hall." (Referring to the musical dynamic, adverb)
An article in the Auckland Star from August 1900 discussed "The History of the Piano," illustrating its evolution and characteristics.
In Online Publications:
"Learn to play piano online with our comprehensive beginner's guide." (Referring to the instrument)
"This new digital piano offers the authentic feel of an acoustic grand without the hefty price tag." (Referring to the instrument)
"The blog post debated whether mandatory piano recital participation truly benefits students." (Referring to the instrument and the activity)
Piano Magazine regularly publishes articles on piano pedagogy, performance techniques, and new repertoire.
In Various Entertainment Mediums and Platforms:
Film: In the classic film The Piano (1993), the instrument is central to the protagonist's emotional expression and connection to the world.
Television: Many talent shows feature contestants showcasing their skills on the piano, from classical pieces to contemporary pop covers.
Music Albums: Numerous songs have titles that incorporate the word "piano," such as Elton John's "Your Song," which prominently features a piano melody.
Video Games: Some rhythm-based video games simulate playing a piano, requiring players to hit notes in time with the music.
Streaming Services: Concerts featuring renowned pianists performing solo recitals or concerto works are readily available on platforms like YouTube and dedicated classical music streaming services.
In General Public Discourse:
"I'm thinking of buying a piano for my kids; they've shown a real interest in music." (Casual conversation, referring to the instrument)
"She plays the piano beautifully; you can really feel the emotion in her music." (Compliment, referring to the ability to play the instrument)
"We had a lovely evening with live piano music at the restaurant." (Describing an atmosphere, referring to the instrument being played)
A common argument in discussions about decolonizing music curricula often includes the question, "But what about the piano?" when discussing the origins of musical instruments and forms. (March 2017, The Public Discourse)
10 Quotes Using Piano
"I tell my piano the things I used to tell you." (Frédéric Chopin)
"Life is like a piano. What you get out of it depends on how you play it." (Tom Lehrer)
"The piano ain't got no wrong notes." (Thelonious Monk)
"I've always wanted to smash a guitar over someone's head; you just can't do that with a piano." (Elton John)
"Sometimes I can only groan, and suffer, and pour out my despair at the piano!" (Frédéric Chopin)
"There are eighty-eight keys on a piano and within that, an entire universe." (James Rhodes)
"Color is the keyboard, the eyes are the harmonies, the soul is the piano with many strings." (Wassily Kandinsky)
"The piano is able to communicate the subtlest universal truths by means of wood, metal and vibrating air." (Kenneth Miller)
"When I had nothing else, I had my mother and the piano. And you know what? They were all I needed." (Alicia Keys)
"Grammar is a piano I play by ear." (Joan Didion)
Etymology
The word "piano" has a fascinating origin that tells us about the instrument itself!
It comes from the Italian word "pianoforte". But even "pianoforte" is a shortened version of the original, longer name for the instrument, which was "gravicembalo col piano e forte".
Let's break that down:
"Gravicembalo" (grah-vee-CHEM-bah-lo) was an older type of keyboard instrument, similar to a harpsichord.
"Col" (kohl) means "with."
"Piano" (pee-AH-no) means "soft" or "quiet" in Italian.
"E" (eh) means "and."
"Forte" (FOR-teh) means "loud" or "strong" in Italian.
So, the full name "gravicembalo col piano e forte" literally translates to "harpsichord with soft and loud."
The reason for this long name is that the traditional harpsichord could only play at one volume – it plucked the strings, so every note came out at roughly the same loudness. Around the year 1700, an Italian instrument maker named Bartolomeo Cristofori invented a new keyboard instrument where hammers struck the strings instead of plucking them. This was a big deal because it meant players could control how loud or soft the notes were by how hard they pressed the keys. This ability to play "soft and loud" was the revolutionary feature, so the instrument was named after it.
Over time, the long name "gravicembalo col piano e forte" was shortened to just "pianoforte," and eventually, people simply started calling it the "piano" for short, focusing on the "soft" aspect of its dynamic range, perhaps because it was such a contrast to the uniformly loud harpsichord.
The first known use of "piano" as a musical instruction (meaning "softly") in English dates back to the late 1600s. As for the musical instrument itself, the term "pianoforte" entered English around 1767, and the shortened "piano" began to appear more commonly for the instrument in the 1770s, becoming widely adopted by the early 1800s.
Phrases + Idioms Containing Piano
Here's a list of phrases and idioms using "piano":
Grand piano: A large, expensive type of piano, often seen in concert halls.
Upright piano: A type of piano where the strings and soundboard are vertical.
Concert piano: A high-quality piano designed for performance in large venues.
Player piano: A piano that can play itself using perforated paper rolls.
Digital piano: An electronic instrument designed to simulate the sound and feel of an acoustic piano.
Piano roll: A roll of paper with perforations that controls a player piano.
Piano wire: Strong, high-tensile wire used in pianos, and also sometimes metaphorically for something very strong and thin.
Piano bar: A bar or lounge where a pianist plays live music.
Piano man: A person who plays the piano, often professionally in a casual setting. (Popularized by Billy Joel's song)
To tickle the ivories: An informal phrase meaning to play the piano. (Synonym-based idiom for "playing the piano")
The eighty-eight: An informal term referring to a piano, based on its standard number of keys. (Synonym-based idiom for "piano")
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of eagle from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
