Piano Introduction - At some time in the distant past, ancient man must have discovered that by stretching a thong between the horns of a dead animal, or on a branch that forked, a musical sound could be produced.  The hunter would also have heard that the tring on his bow would sound definite pitch.  Later it would have become clear that by stopping the string at different points and varying its length and thickness it could be made to sound other notes.  Once two or more parallel strings were added to the bow, a rudimentary harp was created.  It is most likely that from these humble beginnings the piano was eventually spawned.

Step forward to the year 1709 and Bartolomeo Cristofori is noted as producing the first ever Pianoforte which evolved into what we know today as the piano.  Another  30 years on and the world famous kirkman piano firm was born, from this great company some of the finest pianos and harpsichords were created.  Of all the instruments in the orchestra the piano stands out most because it gives the player so many opportunities to play solo.  We hear of great piano players much more than we hear of great trumpet players, great oboe players or great flute players.  The great composers all wrote pieces in which the piano dominates the pieces in public for the first time by playing then themselves