{"id":4996,"date":"2021-09-01T07:00:00","date_gmt":"2021-09-01T14:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/blog\/?p=4996"},"modified":"2023-09-07T12:55:16","modified_gmt":"2023-09-07T19:55:16","slug":"piano-facts","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/blog\/piano-facts\/","title":{"rendered":"7 Epic Piano Facts (National Piano Month)"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>September is National Piano Month! Isn\u2019t it awesome that we pianists get a whole month to celebrate our favorite instrument?&nbsp;If you haven\u2019t already, this is also a good month to wow your friends with some epic piano facts. Here are a few.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-rank-math-toc-block\" id=\"rank-math-toc\"><p><strong>Table of Contents:<\/strong><\/p><nav><ol><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#1-its-not-your-imagination-bass-keys-are-heavier-and-treble-keys-are-lighter\">Bass Keys vs. Treble Keys<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#2-you-can-trill-faster-on-a-grand-piano-than-an-upright-piano\">Grand Piano Trills<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#3-synthesizers-hark-back-to-the-1800-s\">Synthesizers in the 1800s<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#4-the-sostenuto-and-sustain-pedals-do-different-things\">Sostenuto vs. Sustain<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#5-harpsichord-strings-are-plucked-clavichord-strings-are-hammered\">Harpsichord vs. Clavichord<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#6-mozart-was-a-fan-of-the-stein-action-and-beethoven-was-a-broadwood-supporter\">Mozart and Beethoven Brand Loyalty<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#7-the-most-expensive-piano-we-could-find-cost-3-4-million\">The Most Expensive Piano<\/a><\/li><\/ol><\/nav><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:10px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<span class=\"blue-text-block\"><center><h2 style=\"font-size:22px\"><b>\ud83c\udfb9 Your Go-To Place for All Things Piano<\/b><\/h2><p>Subscribe to <i>The Note<\/i> for exclusive interviews, fascinating articles, and inspiring lessons delivered straight to your inbox. Unsubscribe at any time.<\/p><iframe class=\"email-form-include\" src=\"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/weeklyemail\" frameborder=\"none\"><\/iframe><\/center><\/span>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"1-its-not-your-imagination-bass-keys-are-heavier-and-treble-keys-are-lighter\" style=\"font-size:22px\"><strong>#1. It\u2019s not your imagination: bass keys are heavier and treble keys are lighter.<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns are-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>It\u2019s called <strong>graded action<\/strong>. As you move your way down the keyboard from high notes to low notes, the keys get longer. Bass notes also use bigger and heavier hammers. And bass strings are thicker. This all combines to make it slightly harder to press low notes than high ones.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Many digital pianos now imitate this design to give their keys a more authentic feel.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Are Keys all the Same Weight across the Piano? What is a Weighted-Graded Action?\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/ostbE81LFwo?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"2-you-can-trill-faster-on-a-grand-piano-than-an-upright-piano\" style=\"font-size:22px\"><strong>#2. You can trill faster on a grand piano than an upright piano.<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Again, the magic is all in the action.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>On a grand piano, the hammers return to rest using gravity. But on an upright piano, the hammers need the help of springs to return to rest. This gives acoustic grand pianos the fastest action.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns are-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-4-3 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"\u3010\u30d4\u30a2\u30ce\u3011\u30a2\u30c3\u30d7\u30e9\u30a4\u30c8\u3068\u30b0\u30e9\u30f3\u30c9\u306e\u9055\u3044\uff1a\u30b0\u30e9\u30f3\u30c9\u30d4\u30a2\u30ce\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/IpBpUI_iZJg?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-4-3 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"\u3010\u30d4\u30a2\u30ce\u3011\u30a2\u30c3\u30d7\u30e9\u30a4\u30c8\u3068\u30b0\u30e9\u30f3\u30c9\u306e\u9055\u3044\uff1a\u30a2\u30c3\u30d7\u30e9\u30a4\u30c8\u30d4\u30a2\u30ce\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/2BO0CnwVNfA?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>According to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.yamaha.com\/en\/musical_instrument_guide\/piano\/selection\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Yamaha<\/a>, horizontal grand piano action can perform around 14 repetitions per second. Meanwhile, vertical upright piano action can only perform around seven repetitions per second.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"box-snippet\">\n<div class=\"shadow\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"content\">\n<div><i class=\"fas icon fa-piano\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i><\/div>\n<div class=\"text-container\">\n<b>HOT TIP!<\/b> If you&#8217;re a beginner, we recommend you start with an upright first from a reputable but affordable brand. Digital pianos have also come a long way in imitating authentic key action, so they are a perfectly acceptable choice and a lot more affordable. For more buying advice, take a peek at <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/blog\/how-to-buy-piano\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">our free guide<\/a>.\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"3-synthesizers-hark-back-to-the-1800-s\" style=\"font-size:22px\"><strong>#3. Synthesizers hark back to the 1800s<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns are-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.openculture.com\/2016\/01\/meet-the-telharmonium-the-first-synthesizer.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Teleharmonium<\/a>, an early electronic musical instrument, got its start in the 1897 and it was <em>enormous<\/em>. (The Mark III version weighed 200 tonnes.) Played through the telephone system, it was housed in the basement of the Metropolitan Opera House. But Thaddeus Cahill\u2019s electric achievement was eventually abandoned because it kept interfering with naval communications.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.musora.com\/musora-cdn\/image\/quality=85\/https:\/\/pianote.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com\/blog\/2021\/Epic%20Piano%20Facts\/Teleharmonium1897.jpeg\" alt=\"\" style=\"width:404px;height:277px\" width=\"404\" height=\"277\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">The Teleharmonium in 1897 (<a href=\"https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/File:Teleharmonium1897.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">source<\/a>).<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns are-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>Synthesizers made their big leap forward in the middle of the 20th century, with Robert Moog\u2019s Moog Modular Synthesizer. Moog remains a recognizable synthesizer brand today. And while most synthesizers are digital now, analogue synths are enjoying somewhat of a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/music\/2015\/jul\/08\/the-grid-spearhead-synth-revival-moog-ensemble\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">renaissance<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"A Brief History of Synthesizers\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/5sjreF6H_rY?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"4-the-sostenuto-and-sustain-pedals-do-different-things\" style=\"font-size:22px\"><strong>#4. The <em>sostenuto <\/em>and sustain pedals do different things!<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>&gt; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/blog\/how-piano-pedals-work\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">How Piano Pedals Work<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><meta charset=\"utf-8\">\u201cWhat do all the different piano pedals do?\u201d This is a common question we get. It depends on the piano, but in general, grand pianos have three pedals. From left to right:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/www.musora.com\/musora-cdn\/image\/quality=85\/https:\/\/pianote-blog.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/17164845\/piano-pedals-labelled-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"Three piano pedals labelled (left to right) una corda, sostenuto, damper\/sustain.\" class=\"wp-image-14623\" srcset=\"https:\/\/pianote-blog.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/17164845\/piano-pedals-labelled-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/pianote-blog.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/17164845\/piano-pedals-labelled-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/pianote-blog.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/17164845\/piano-pedals-labelled-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/pianote-blog.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/17164845\/piano-pedals-labelled-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/pianote-blog.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/17164845\/piano-pedals-labelled-2048x1365.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The <em>una corda<\/em> shifts the keyboard so that hammers hit only two out of the three strings they would normally hit. This slightly <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pianistmagazine.com\/blogs\/5-top-tips-for-using-the-una-corda-pedal\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">dampens the sound<\/a> so that it\u2019s easier to play softly.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The <em>sostenuto<\/em> pedal sustains a selection of notes while leaving unselected notes unsustained, so you can play clearly over a sustained note.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The <em>sustain <\/em>pedal is responsible for the \u201creverb\u201d sound of piano pieces. Get comfortable using this pedal, as it can drastically <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/blog\/how-to-use-the-sustain-pedal\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">improve your playing<\/a>!<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p>In acoustic uprights, the middle pedal is usually a muted practice pedal that allows you to practice in the middle of the night without annoying your neighbors. See? No excuses not to practice!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"5-harpsichord-strings-are-plucked-clavichord-strings-are-hammered\" style=\"font-size:22px\"><strong>#5. Harpsichord strings are plucked. Clavichord strings are hammered.<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns are-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.musora.com\/musora-cdn\/image\/quality=85\/https:\/\/pianote.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com\/blog\/2021\/Epic%20Piano%20Facts\/harpsichord.jpeg\" alt=\"Old, intricate wooden keyboard instrument with lid open showing strings.\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">The inside of a harpsichord at the Museu de la M\u00fasica de Barcelona (Sguastevi, <a href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-sa\/3.0\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">CC BY-SA 3.0<\/a>, via Wikimedia Commons).<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.musora.com\/musora-cdn\/image\/quality=85\/https:\/\/pianote.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com\/blog\/2021\/Epic%20Piano%20Facts\/clavichord.jpg\" alt=\"Old, wooden clavichord displayed in a museum with a painting of ships on the inside of the lid.\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">A clavichord in the Mus\u00e9e de la Musique in Paris (G\u00e9rard Janot, <a href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-sa\/3.0\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">CC BY-SA 3.0<\/a>, via Wikimedia Commons).<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/BMxqAKxWMYA\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Harpsichords and clavichords<\/a> are both ancestors of the modern piano, but they sound very different. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>While harpsichords have a sharp, stringy sound, clavichords are fairly quiet. But their biggest difference is the mechanism: harpsichords have little quills on their hammers that pluck the strings, while clavichords use hammers. However, not all clavichord models have keys that can be played at the same time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/blog\/history-of-the-piano\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">A Complete History of the Piano<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"6-mozart-was-a-fan-of-the-stein-action-and-beethoven-was-a-broadwood-supporter\" style=\"font-size:22px\"><strong>#6. Mozart was a fan of the Stein action, and Beethoven was a Broadwood supporter.<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns are-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>The tradition of artists being associated with certain brands and models goes way back. A piano maker called Johann Andreas Stein pioneered the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.yamaha.com\/en\/musical_instrument_guide\/piano\/structure\/structure002.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Stein or Viennese action<\/a>, which Mozart was a fan of. The action produced a bright tone, which partners very well with Mozart\u2019s playful composition style.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Meanwhile, Beethoven favored the craftsmanship of the Brits. Thomas Broadwood heard that Beethoven was poor both financially and in health, so he shipped over a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.classicfm.com\/composers\/beethoven\/broadwood-piano\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Broadwood piano<\/a> to cheer him up. The British piano, with its big, dramatic sound, was louder than most pianos and served Beethoven well, since he was hard of hearing.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-4-3 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"CBH Viennese fortepiano action\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/seaHWESKZyE?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns are-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.musora.com\/musora-cdn\/image\/quality=85\/https:\/\/pianote.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com\/blog\/2021\/Epic%20Piano%20Facts\/mozart%20portrait.jpeg\" alt=\"\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Posthumous (1819) portrait of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart by Barbara Krafft.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.musora.com\/musora-cdn\/image\/quality=85\/https:\/\/pianote.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com\/blog\/2021\/Epic%20Piano%20Facts\/fortepiano.jpeg\" alt=\"\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Broadwood fortepiano (G\u00e9rard Janot, <a href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/3.0\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">CC BY 3.0<\/a>, via Wikimedia Commons)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.musora.com\/musora-cdn\/image\/quality=85\/https:\/\/pianote.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com\/blog\/2021\/Epic%20Piano%20Facts\/Beethoven.jpeg\" alt=\"\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">1820 portrait of Ludwig van Beethoven by Joseph Karl Stieler.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"7-the-most-expensive-piano-we-could-find-cost-3-4-million\" style=\"font-size:22px\"><strong>#7. The most expensive piano we could find cost $3.4 million<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>According to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.broughtonpianos.co.uk\/blog\/the-worlds-most-expensive-pianos\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Broughton Pianos<\/a>, the most expensive piano ever sold was a Heintzman piano. It was bought by a private bidder at an auction for $3.22 million.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>One of the most expensive and famous pianos is the <a href=\"https:\/\/luxury-pianos.com\/the-most-expensive-pianos-in-the-world\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Steinway &amp; Sons Pictures at an Exhibition piano<\/a>. Painted by Paul Wyse, it was designed after the Modest Mussorgsky piano suite of the same name.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As of this article&#8217;s publication, the most expensive piano we could find is the &#8220;<a href=\"https:\/\/luxatic.com\/most-expensive-pianos\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">As Time Goes By&#8221; piano<\/a>, valued at $3.4 million. This piano inspired a famous line in the movie <em>Casablanca<\/em>, so it&#8217;s famous not because of how nice it sounds, but by its cultural impact.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:10px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<span class=\"blue-text-block\"><center><h2 style=\"font-size:22px\"><b>\ud83c\udfb9 Your Go-To Place for All Things Piano<\/b><\/h2><p>Subscribe to <i>The Note<\/i> for exclusive interviews, fascinating articles, and inspiring lessons delivered straight to your inbox. Unsubscribe at any time.<\/p><iframe class=\"email-form-include\" src=\"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/weeklyemail\" frameborder=\"none\"><\/iframe><\/center><\/span>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:10px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The first synthesizer was invented in the 1800s, you can trill faster on a grand piano, and other epic piano facts for National Piano Month.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":49,"featured_media":14744,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1132],"tags":[1069],"class_list":["post-4996","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-articles","tag-gsotp"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4996","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/49"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=4996"}],"version-history":[{"count":30,"href":"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4996\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":15284,"href":"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4996\/revisions\/15284"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/14744"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4996"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=4996"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=4996"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}