Did you know the oldest surviving piano is over 300 years old? Or that a standard grand piano withstands an incredible 20 tons of string tension?

The piano is far more than just a beautiful instrument—it’s a marvel of engineering, a cornerstone of music history, and a symbol of cultural expression.

Whether you’re a dedicated pianist, a casual player, or just someone who appreciates music, this article will take you on an incredible journey through some of the most fascinating and surprising piano facts and numbers.

From historical curiosities to jaw-dropping technical details, prepare to see the piano in a whole new light!

I have included a full list of sources and references at the bottom of this page.

Historical and Cultural Statistics

1. The Oldest Surviving Piano: Built in 1720

Pianos like we know them today have been around since a long time; in fact, the oldest piano still in existence was crafted by Bartolomeo Cristofori in 1720. This 300+ year old piece of history is a testament to his ingenuity and has been carefully preserved, offering a glimpse into the origins of modern piano design. You can read more about it in my article about the history of piano.

2. Over 40 Million People Worldwide Play the Piano

Thanks to its versatility and accessibility, the piano has earned its place as one of the world’s most popular instruments. While it is difficult to determine the exact number of piano players globally or their skill levels, various sources estimate the figure to be around 40 million people. However, this number could be significantly higher when considering informal players and those who play the instrument as a hobby. Also, many musicians play multiple instruments and use the piano as a fundamental tool for developing technique, music theory, and composition.

3. China’s Piano Market: Up to 400 000 piano’s Sold Annually at peak

A significant portion of global piano players are in China, where it was estimated that over 30 million children were taking piano lessons before the pandemic. At its peak in 2019, piano sales reached a record 400,000 units, far surpassing sales in other regions. However, it seems that this trend has shifted since Covid-19, with manufacturers reporting sharp declines in sales and profits in 2023 and 2024; families are facing increasing financial pressures, and don’t have extra money to spend on such an expensive instrument.

4. Franz Liszt’s Legacy: Over 700 Works for Piano

Franz Liszt, one of history’s most prolific composers, left an unparalleled legacy with as much as 800 compositions for the piano. His works range from technically dazzling etudes to emotional pieces, demonstrating the piano’s expressive range.

Technical and Manufacturing Numbers

5. 230 Strings and 20 Tons of Tension

A standard piano contains approximately 230 steel strings, with each one exerting a tremendous amount of tension. Combined, this totals over 20 tons of tension on the cast-iron frame, which is specially designed to endure these forces.

6. 88 Keys—and Sometimes More

The standard piano features 88 keys, comprising 52 white keys and 36 black keys. However, specialized instruments like the Bösendorfer Imperial extend this range to 97 keys, adding extra bass notes for a richer, more resonant sound. That said, at such low pitches, the difference can be subtle to the human ear. 

In the following video, you can listen to the sound of these extra keys (they sound pretty weird):

7. Up to 1,200 Pounds (500+ kg) in Weight

Many of us have experienced the challenge of moving a piano; upright pianos alone are notoriously heavy. Grand pianos, however, are even more massive. A concert grand piano can weigh up to 1,200 pounds (544 kilograms), which is roughly the weight of a polar bear or a small car! 

8. 10,000 Pianos per Year by Yamaha

Yamaha is one of the world’s largest piano manufacturers, producing more than 10,000 pianos annually, showcasing its dominance in global piano production. If you are the owner of one of their pianos, it is possible to identify the date at which it was built on this page.

9. 10,000+ Components in a Single Piano

A piano is an extraordinary feat of engineering and craftsmanship, typically made up of around 10,000 individual parts, from the smallest screws to the large cast-iron frame that supports the immense string tension. For some high-end models, this number can climb to as many as 12,000 components! To put it into perspective, each key on the piano operates through a complex system of over 100 moving parts! They work in harmony to allow us to produce sound simply by pressing the key.

10. 3 years to Build a Grand Piano

Crafting a grand piano is an intricate process that can take years, including assembling the frame, stretching the strings, and meticulous fine-tuning. However, it is important to remember that the wood seasoning and drying can take up to two years in some cases, to ensure optimum quality.

11. Spruce Soundboards: 80% of High-Quality Pianos

The soundboard is critical to a piano’s resonance, and we can confidently estimate that at least 80% of high-quality pianos use spruce wood, prized for its superior acoustic properties. According to Yamaha, the use of wood is to ensure that only the lower-frequency sounds are amplified; otherwise, the “metallic jangling” noises of the strigs striking the chord would be amplified too.

12. 1,000,000 Hammer Strikes per Year!

A piano’s hammers strike its strings with incredible precision. In active use, the hammers in a well-loved piano endure over 1,000,000 strikes per year without significant wear, thanks to their robust wool-felt construction. If you are interested, here is a short calculation to show this:

If you played for about 30 mins per day, with an average of 115 notes per minute (quite a conservative average, see the world record below!), that’s 3450 (30*115) notes per day! Multiply this by 300 active days, that’s over 1 million notes played!

13. Temperature Sensitivity: 3°C Can Make a Difference

Pianos are highly sensitive to temperature changes. A fluctuation of just 5°F (about 3°C) can alter the tuning of a piano, and audibly change the tuning. Obviously, extreme temperatures and humidities have a much bigger impact, and must be avoided at all costs.

Economic statistics

14. The Most Expensive Piano Ever Sold: $3.22 Million

The Crystal Piano by Heintzman, a transparent masterpiece designed for elegance and acoustic excellence, sold for an eye-popping $3.22 million at an auction in 2008. Played during the Beijing Olympics, this piano exemplifies the intersection of luxury and art in musical instruments.

15. Piano Costs: From $50 to Over $500,000

Piano prices vary dramatically. Entry-level digital keyboards can cost as little as $50, making them accessible for beginners. On the other end of the spectrum, handcrafted grand pianos like those from Steinway & Sons or Fazioli can exceed $500,000, reflecting their unparalleled quality and craftsmanship.

16. Second-Hand Pianos: 20% of Sales

Around 20% of piano sales worldwide come from the second-hand market. This highlights the durability of the piano and its long-term appeal, as well-maintained instruments can retain their quality and value for decades. However, it also shows that many buyers choose to avoid the risk of acquiring an old wreck of a piano when they have sufficient budget!

17. Global Piano Market Value: $2.5 Billion in 2024

The global piano market is calculated at $2.32 billion in 2024, with a steady growth rate of 2.7% from 2023. This growth could be attributed to factors like economic conditions, demographic shifts, and changes in education policies. Over the next few years, the market is expected to continue expanding, reaching $2.62 billion by 2028 with a CAGR of 3.1%​

Piano Playing and Usage

18. Fastest Fingers: 958 Notes Per Minute

The Guinness World Record for the fastest pianist is held by Keita Hattori, who played an astonishing 958 notes in one minute. This feat required not only speed but remarkable precision and dexterity.

In the following clip, you will see him beat another world record: he hit a piano key 484 times in 30 seconds!

19. A Piano’s Lifespan: Over 50 Years

With proper maintenance, a piano can last 50 to 100 years or more. Some antique pianos, crafted centuries ago, remain playable today, a testament to their durability and professional making. I have included an audio extract of someone playing Cristofri’s 300 year old piano in a section about Cristofori’s invention.

20. Practice Makes Perfect: 40+ Hours Per Week

For concert pianists, the instrument is their life’s work. Many dedicate over 40 hours weekly to practice, equivalent to a full-time job. This intense regimen builds the technical mastery and endurance needed for demanding performances.

21. Longest Piano Performance: 140 Hours and 30 Minutes

The world record for the longest piano marathon was set by Timothy K. Abraham in Palakkad, Kerala, India, in December 2021. He played for an astonishing 140 hours and 30 minutes, breaking all prior records. This epic feat tested not only his physical and mental endurance but also his musical stamina, earning him a place in the Worldwide Book of Records.

22. (One of the) Most complex Piano Composition(s): “Hammerklavier” by Beethoven

Beethoven’s “Hammerklavier” Sonata is infamous for its complexity and length. With performances often exceeding 45 minutes, it challenges even the most seasoned pianists with its dense technical demands. If you have a bit over half an hour to spare (or a few seconds to get an idea), here is a video of someone playing it:

Unusual and Fun Statistics

23. World’s Largest Piano: 18 Feet Long

The largest piano ever built was built by Adrian Mann in New Zealand. Measuring 18 feet long, it is a true marvel of craftsmanship, with 85 keys and an impressive size that adds to its musical charm. Adrian Mann built it after asking his piano teacher a question he couldn’t answer, which led him on a long and arduous journey to invent the world’s longest piano. Oh and I bet he had a lot of fun in the process!

24. Amount of piano’s in the US alone: 10 million

Over 10 million pianos are currently in use across homes, businesses, and schools in the United States, according to multiple sources. While piano sales have seen a decline in recent years, this enduring number highlights the longevity of pianos, and shows how they have integrated into American culture.

25. World War II Pianos: Made from Unconventional Materials

During the Second World War, pianos were made from aluminium and other substitute materials due to the shortage of metals. This ingenuity made it possible to continue producing pianos, although the quality of the instrument was affected. The change in materials marked a unique moment in the history of piano making.

26. Victory Verticals: Over 3,000 Pianos Built for U.S. Troops During WWII

Steinway produced over 3,000 Victory Vertical pianos during the Second World War, which were sent to soldiers on the battlefield. These pianos were specially designed for air transport and were dropped by parachute to provide music and relaxation for the troops. They were produced in a variety of colours, including olive green, blue and grey.

Fascinating Trivia Facts

27. Hidden Pianos: Over 500 in Cities around the world

More than 500 hidden pianos are placed in public spaces around the world, including metro stations and parks, as part of a public art project encouraging spontaneous musical performances. This initiative has become a notable feature in cities such as New York, where several pianos are strategically placed for tourists and locals to enjoy. The pianos contribute to a unique blend of art and music, making the city a destination for musicians and curious visitors alike.

28. Pianos beyond Earth: A keyboard on a Space Mission

In the 1990s, Russian cosmonauts aboard the Mir space station had access to a small, custom electronic keyboard to provide entertainment and psychological relief during their long missions. This keyboard must have become a vital part of life onboard Mir; it allowed them to play music 400 kilometers above the Earth!

Watch the video below of NASA Science Officer Ed Lu playing the piano on the ISS during an interview with CBS Radio News:

29. World’s Most Played Piano Song: Beethoven’s “Ode to Joy”

Beethoven’s ‘Ode to Joy’, best known in the form of the final movement of his Symphony No. 9, is one of the best-known and most frequently performed works in classical music. While it is widely celebrated in orchestral and choral settings, other works such as Beethoven’s ‘Für Elise’ and Chopin’s Nocturnes are more commonly played on the piano, by amateurs and professionals alike.

30. The 639-Year Concert: A Performance Like No Other

This is probably the most fascinating fact of all: in 2001, an extraordinary performance began at St. Burchardi Church in Halberstadt, Germany. John Cage’s avant-garde composition, ASLSP (As Slow As Possible), is played on an organ and is due to last 639 years, ending in 2640! Since the beginning, there have only been a handful of chord changes, each one causing a stir, with the most recent change taking place in 2024. The rhythm of the piece is so slow that some notes are held for weeks or even years, making it a testament to patience and the passage of time.

Here is the video of the ‘amazing’ concert being played:

Quiz

Fascinating Piano Numbers and Stats Quiz

Take this quiz to find out whether you have remembered any of all these numbers and stats!

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