Piano Keys (Forwarded Message)

[Alan R. Barnard]

Don't know exactly but ...

1. Black naturals with white sharps was the common scheme, I believe, for
almost all early harpsichords. Maybe also claviers, etc?

2. I'm guessing that the discovery of ivory for keytops was the deciding
factor for standardizing, if not initiating, the natural whites.

Alan R. Barnard
Kibitzing on the Web in Salem, MO

----- Original Message -----
From: "Vanderhoofven" <dkvander@joplin.com>
To: <pianotech@ptg.org>
Sent: Wednesday, October 16, 2002 10:09 PM
Subject: Piano Keys (Forwarded Message)


> I received this inquiry recently.  Does anyone know about when and why the
> color of keys changed?  Please respond to Angela Havener at the e-mail
> address below.  But, if it is interesting information, you may want to
post
> it to the list also.
>
> Thanks!
> David Vanderhoofven
> Joplin, MO
>
> **********************************
> Begin Forwarded Message
>
> >To whom this may concern,
> >I am a college student doing research on the history of the piano.  What
I
> >am trying to find out is why in the earliest pianos the keys that are
> >white today were black then and why did the color change?  Can you please
> >help me with this information?
> >  Sincerely
> >Angela Havener
> >angelfreewings@msn.com
>
> _______________________________________________
> pianotech list info: https://www.moypiano.com/resources/#archives