Electric piano

An electric piano is a musical instrument that looks like a regular piano with its familiar musical keyboard. But instead of producing sound through strings that vibrate in air like an acoustic piano, an electric piano uses mechanical hammers to strike metal strings, reeds, or wire tines. These vibrations are then turned into electrical signals by special devices called pickups.

These electrical signals travel to an instrument amplifier and then to a loudspeaker, making the sound loud enough for both the performer and the audience to hear clearly. This allows electric pianos to produce a wide range of tones, from soft and mellow to bright and crisp, depending on how they are adjusted.

Electric pianos became especially popular in the 1960s and 1970s, used by many famous musicians to add unique sounds to their music. They are still valued today for their versatility and the special character they bring to different kinds of music.

History

The Neo-Bechstein electric piano was built in 1931. The Vierlang-Forster electric piano came in 1937. In 1939, the RCA Storytone electric piano was created by Story & Clark and RCA. The design of its case was by John Vassos, an American industrial designer, and it was shown at the 1939 World's Fair.

Types

The term "electric piano" includes several different instruments, each with its own way of making sound.

Some electric pianos, like those made by Yamaha, Baldwin, Helpinstill, and Kawai, use strings and hammers similar to regular pianos. Yamaha’s models, such as the CP-70, change the string vibrations into electrical signals using piezoelectric pickups. Others, like Wurlitzer’s models, use flat steel reeds struck by felt hammers. These reeds are tuned by adjusting small pieces of solder.

Other types include instruments that use tuning forks, like the Fender Rhodes, and instruments that use plucked reeds, like the Hohner Pianet. The Clavinet by Hohner works like an electric clavichord, using rubber pads to press strings against metal anvils to create sound.

Main article: Electric grand piano

Digital pianos

Digital pianos that mimic the sound of electric pianos have become much more common since the 2010s. They are small, light, and can play many types of sounds besides piano sounds, like Hammond organ and synthesizer sounds. Some musicians still use and record with older electric pianos. In 2009, Rhodes introduced a new line of electric pianos called the Rhodes Mark 7, and later Vintage Vibe also offered their versions.