The word "piano" is a shortened form of pianoforte, the Italian term for
the early 1700s versions of the instrument, which in turn derives from
clavicembalo col piano e forte (key cimbalom with quieter and louder) and
fortepiano. The Italian musical terms piano and forte indicate "soft" and
"loud" respectively,in this context referring to the variations in volume
(i.e., loudness) produced in response to a pianist's touch or pressure on
the keys: the greater the velocity of a key press, the greater the force
of the hammer hitting the strings, and the louder the sound of the note
produced and the stronger the attack. The name was created as a contrast
to harpsichord, a musical instrument that does not allow variation in
volume; compared to the harpsichord, the first fortepianos in the 1700s
had a quieter sound and smaller dynamic range.
Learn the history of the piano here
Listen to the piano here
