Final answer:
The piano improved significantly during the Industrial Revolution, with advancements in mechanics and tuning, leading to greater expressiveness and reliability, and becoming the symbol of Romantic music. The demand for music increased with the Gutenberg press, contributing to the piano's popularity and status.
Step-by-step explanation:
Improvement of the Piano Over Time
The piano has undergone significant improvements since its inception. The Industrial Revolution played a pivotal role, marking a period of great technological advancements that affected many areas, including musical instruments. Changes in the mechanics of the piano led to it becoming a central symbol of Romantic music, surpassing the harpsichord's popularity. These improvements made the instrument more reliable, with a bigger, fuller, and better-tuned sound that could be played more easily.
Technological advancements included the precision in creating mechanical valves and keys, which were crucial in the development of keyboard instruments. The piano became capable of greater expressiveness and dynamics, reinforcing its prominence in concert halls and as a staple for composers and musicians. Furthermore, due to the piano tuner's ability to use beats and tuning forks to finely adjust the pitch, the piano not only improved in sound quality but also in the precision of tuning.
The demand for music grew with the invention of the Gutenberg press, which allowed for broader distribution of music and musical theory. This increased demand was catered to by the improved piano, which could now be used more effectively for both amateur and professional playing. The growing bourgeoisie class further propelled the popularity of the piano, marking it as an instrument of refined taste and culture.