Test your piano knowledge!

To see the answers, click here.

1. The total number of keys on a piano? __________

2. The number of black keys? __________ (hint - Take the answer from question #1 and subtract the total number of white keys)

3. The word “piano” is Italian. What is the English translation? _________

4. The longest piano composition in a continuous non repetitious piece called “The Well-Tuned Piano”, by La Monte Young, was performed in New York in 1980. The piece lasted: (Multiple Choice)
A. 1 hour, 10 minutes, 24 seconds
B. 2 hours, 28 minutes, 30 seconds
C. 3 hours, 52 minutes, 07 seconds
D. 4 Hours, 12 minutes, 10 seconds

5. The popular pianist who’s original name was Louis Weertz?__________
(hint - His first big hit was “Autumn Leaves”)

6. The popular pianist who’s original name was Bernard Nierow? _________
(hint - This musician DID NOT fiddle while Rome burned.)

7. The year (within 50 years) that Bartolommeo Cristofori “Invented” the piano?_______ (It’s a little known fact he invented the piano bench first.)

8. What was Liberace’s first name? : (Multiple choice) __________
A. Lee
B. Walter
C. Sidney
D. Butch

9. Which famous pianist was known for, among other things, building a piano shaped swimming pool?________ (Tragedy struck when his piano tuner drowned.)

10. The total number of parts (moving and non-moving) in the average grand piano? (the average standard American car has 14,000) ________
(Multiple Choice)
A. 3,000
B. 6,000
C. 11,000
D. 16,000

11. The Polish born composer (1810 - 1849) of the “Minute Waltz”? _________.
(Multiple Choice)
A. F. Chopin
B. I. Paderewski
C. S. Rachmaninoff
D. F. Liszt

12. In 1900, 306,000 pianos were manufactured in the USA. How many were
“Player” pianos? (Multiple choice)
A. 26,000
B. 75,000
C. 105,000
D. 169,000

13. The weight (within 200 pounds) of a Concert Grand Piano? __________

14. Yamaha began making keyboards in what year ? (multiple choice),
A. 1897
B. 1926
C. 1950
D. 1962