To think there is one instrument superior to all others is presumption at best and bravado at worst. The world has had musical instruments for thousands of years, and the piano is a fairly recent creation, having been created only 300 years ago. Yet, the phrase “the king of instruments” has been coined to describe the acoustic piano compared to modern, Western orchestral instruments. Currently, the piano is recognized as the most popular musical instrument in the world. Even though the piano is rarely the most portable, it is present in more homes than any other instrument. Most concert stages have at least one grand piano, and universities often have a piano in every practice room.
There are several reasons why the piano is notable and preferred. This is not to say it is better, but it is often more suited to the needs of musicians and composers. These features are not exclusive to the piano, but few other instruments include all of them.
Instructional Benefits
The layout of the piano makes it easy to see and recognize notes. Each note is laid out in a logical order. The keyboard is in front of the player. The ability to play one note with one finger is an advantage for beginners. The ability to play as many notes as one has fingers benefits the advanced musician.
Range Benefits
The eighty-eight-note piano has over seven octaves of pitch range, covering the entire instrument range of the modern orchestra. For any composer or player, this ability to “play” any other instrument makes the piano more versatile than others. The pianist can also play music written for other instruments.
Percussion
Although the piano has many strings, it is not considered part of the string instrument family. The piano is a percussion instrument because the strings are struck with a hammer. The advantage of this method of sound production is that no other mechanism is necessary. Mouthpieces, reeds, bows, and picks are unnecessary.
Lasting Value
Most modern pianos are designed to last over one hundred years with proper maintenance. Many are designed to be rebuilt and last for centuries. The piano’s mechanisms are self-contained, needing little service except for annual tuning. Because of its size and normal placement, a piano can remain useful for generations.
Home Aesthetic
Almost all instruments have some aesthetic. Many times, that appearance is most admired by the dedicated player. Bagpipes and timpani rarely have a place in a home as an accent to décor. The piano has been sculpted and decorated to fit palaces and playrooms. The number of styles and finishes available attest to the piano’s popularity as a visual part of the home.
Again, there is no “king of instruments” nor one best instrument for everyone. Each musical application has its own need for the right timbre and performance. It has been suggested that many instruments attempt to imitate the human voice. The portability and flexibility of many make them the perfect instrument for the occasion. The piano does stand alone as the instrument most teachers of other instruments recommend as a companion in learning.
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