What type of instrument is piano?

Answer 1

Piano is a tough instrument to categorize. Some say "percussion" because you create sound by striking the instrument. Some say "string" because vibrating strings is how the sound is made. If I had to choose between them I'd choose "string instrument" because the reasoning for it being a percussion instrument, IMO, is not very sound. Yes you strike the instrument to make sound, but it's not you making the sound - it's the hammer striking the strings much like the Dulcimer.

Apply the "percussion" argument to other keyed instruments and you can see more clearly how it's a misnomer. Is the organ a percussion instrument because you're striking the keys? And then there's electronic keyboards - are they percussion instruments? See how we're getting really far out on a limb to rationalize calling piano a percussion instrument.

This, and the other examples I gave, is why I like to use "keyboard instrument" as a classification all its own. It allows for an accurate description of how you make sound with the instrument, much like the definition of percussion (striking a membrane or solid object). I like to tell people that if they don't like the idea of "inventing" a new category, then call it a string instrument because that's what it is! :)

Answer 2

The piano has a debatable instrument group due to its nature. Some argue that it is percussion due to the hammers and others say it is a stringed instrument. Some even argue that it falls in both or in between.

Answer 3

The piano is a stringed instrument.

Answer 4

Is is most commonly classified as a percussion or stringed instrument.

Answer 5

string because there are strings inside the piano

Answer 6

Piano is a Percussion instrument

Answer 7

it oes with the wood winds

Answer 8

A piano is a percussion instrument.

Answer 9

percusive and string