Piano -- What Category of Instrument?

[alzado]

My son asked me a question today that I could not answer.  The question-- what type of instrument is the piano?

My best answer was -- the piano is both a stringed instrument and a percussive instrument.

Why percussion?  Because hammers hit the strings.  Some modern composers have used the piano for percussive effects, such as occasionally by Bartok.  [Can sound like hammering sometimes -- ]

Is there a right answer?  How should be piano be classified?

[Barbosa-piano]

Yes, I would say percussion, but than people try to say that it is in the "order" of keyboard instruments, some try to put in string instruments...

Mario Barbosa.

[bernhard]

What kind of instrument is a piano?

Brace yourself and have a look here:

https://pianoforum.net/smf/index.php/topic,2188.msg18516.html#msg18516
(Piano: string or percussion – the elephant in the dark fable)

Best wishes,
Bernhard.

[Aziel]

Piano

[alzado]

Bernhard--

I read through that whole thread, and it is interesting.

I am not sure I "buy" the "keyboard" categorization.  I agree with the poster who -- following that logic -- asked if a violin is a "bow" instrument? 

I suspect it is a percussion instrument, but one most also qualify that by relating it to stringed instruments.

Bernhard, I would suggest that for me a piano should be fairly close in categorization to a concert harp.   Which does not have a keyboard.  A masterful harpist will pluck, but at times will also "percuss" (slap) the strings.  A concert harp also has pedals that can be used to attain various keys.

Thanks for referring me to that thread --

[Dazzer]

Piano

2nded...

a piano is a piano. why categorise it anywhere? obviously a far superior instrument to all instruments except an orchestra. (but lets not debate over the use of the term Instrument to refer to an orchestra)

[Siberian Husky]

if a piano is a piano..then a guitar is a guitar right?..wrong..a guitar belongs to the string instrument and im sure we all agree on this..

then this parallels the notion of the piano falling under the catagory of percussion...anthough strings do the vibration..the sound derives from hammers hitting them in a percussive manner..

i rest my case....

alzado my good man...you may close and lock this thread now..i have done it justice..


*flushes toilet*