Here in the Key Room, we have keys of all types. We have keys to houses, cars, office buildings, desks, lockets, and hearts. We even have keys to musical instruments.
The invention of the modern piano is credited to Bartolomeo Cristofori of Italy who was the Keeper of instruments for the Medici Family. It is not known when Cristofori first built a piano, but it is know that existed by the year 1700. Three Cristofori pianos survive today and date from the 1720s. Cristofori's greatest challenge was to discover, with no previous example, how to strike the strings with a hammer, yet not remain in contact, and return to its resting position calmly and quickly so that it may be played again almost immediately.
Grand pianos have horizontal strings and frames, extending away from the keyboard. Longer pianos with longer strings have a richer sound, which is why grand pianos are considered the highest quality. Pianos are used in virtually every music genre from classical to pop music. It has become one of the world's most recognizable and popular instruments.
When entering the key room, immediately to the left, sits a number of grand piano keys, seven to be exact. These grand piano keys were donated by Ray Hamilton and are accompanied by a tag which states: "Seven keys to one of the first grand pianos to arrive in Denver via covered wagon from the East."
Until next time!
Natalie
