Definition
Pianoforte is an older term for what we now simply call a piano. It's an instrument with a keyboard that produces sound by hammers striking strings. The term "pianoforte" literally means "soft-loud," referring to its ability to play both quietly (piano) and loudly (forte). It was a significant advancement over earlier keyboard instruments. It helped to develop piano techniques, as it allows for more expression than earlier instruments. Pianoforte evolved to be a popular instrument.