The Classical Period

The piano was developed within the classical period and was not invented beforehand. It was the first touch sensitive instrument ever made and so everyone became excited at the thought of a modernised harpsichord! The word piano comes from "PianoForte", which means soft and loud.

Also, phrasing was part of the obsession with piano's, all composers believed that pieces of music should all sustain regular, even phrases ending after each 8th beat. This would be where the composers or vocalists would take a breath.