Question 62

Harpsichord was a direct predecessor of the piano.

The harpsichord served as a significant predecessor to the piano, influencing its development and design. Both instruments are keyboard-based, but the harpsichord produces sound by plucking strings, while the piano strikes strings with hammers.

A) Xylophone

The xylophone is a percussion instrument that produces sound by striking wooden bars with mallets. It does not have a keyboard mechanism, nor is it a direct predecessor of the piano, making it incorrect in this context.

B) Violin

The violin is a string instrument played with a bow and does not share the keyboard feature or mechanism with the piano. While it is an important instrument in music history, it is not a predecessor of the piano.

C) Harp

The harp is a string instrument played by plucking the strings, but it does not have a keyboard system and does not directly relate to the development of the piano. Thus, it is not considered a predecessor.

D) Harpsichord

The harpsichord is a keyboard instrument that predates the piano and directly influenced its construction and mechanics. The transition from the harpsichord to the piano involved changes in how sound was produced, leading to the development of the modern piano.

E) Zither

The zither is a string instrument that is played by plucking or strumming, and while it has a unique role in music, it does not have a keyboard and is not related to the development of the piano.

Conclusion

The harpsichord is definitively the correct answer as it directly influenced the design and mechanism of the piano, sharing a keyboard structure and serving as a precursor in the evolution of keyboard instruments. All other options lack the keyboard feature or direct historical connection to the piano's development, making them incorrect choices.