] Many people are familiar with the piano, but not everyone knows that it represents the evolution of keyboard instruments developed over several centuries. The piano is just one of many types of keyboard instruments used by musicians throughout history.
[2] Keyboard instruments have been in use since the 1300s but did not become well-established among composers and performers until somewhat later. In the 1500s, for example, a keyboard instrument known as the harpsichord rose to prominence. It is one of the earliest keyboard instruments to become favored by musicians and composers of Western classical music, for both solo and ensemble (group) playing. In the 1700s, pipe organs enjoyed great popularity, especially for music played in churches. France, Italy, and Germany all developed distinct organ-building styles. Music composed in these countries often reflects these stylistic features including stronger or sweeter sounds, or differing sound quality. The piano first gained popularity during the 1800s. It was a favorite instrument not only of the so-called Romantic composers, known for their emotional expression, but also of amateur performers. In an era when television and radio did not exist, many people played piano in their homes to pass the time and entertain family members and friends.
[3] Of these three instruments, the harpsichord and piano are the most similar due to their use of strings to produce sound—the pipe organ relies on wind pipes. However, they are completely different in almost every other respect. First, the ,begin italics,mechanism,end italics, which produces the sound is distinct. Harpsichord strings are plucked by a quill when a key is pressed, somewhat like a guitar pick is used to sound a guitar string. The piano, on the other hand, has hammers which strike the strings when the key is pressed, making them resonate. Another noticeable difference lies in the instruments' ability to control ,begin italics,dynamics,end italics,, or the volume of the sound being produced. Harpsichords operate at a relatively consistent volume, no matter how gently or forcefully the keys are pressed. Pianos, on the other hand, are dynamic wonders—a gentle touch produces a soft sound, while more forceful playing can be used to produce a louder sound. Finally, the two instruments differ in the ,begin italics,range,end italics, of sound they can produce from low to high pitches. That is, they have different numbers of keys. The harpsichord has a much narrower range than the piano, or fewer keys from left to right, usually five octaves or fewer (if 12 keys make 1 octave). In contrast, the piano has a full seven octaves plus three additional keys, for a total of 88 keys in all. While these instruments are very different in mechanism, dynamics, and range, both the harpsichord and piano have their place in the Western classical music tradition. Their differences allow them to fulfill distinct but complementary roles and produce music of a completely different sound quality.
Question
The author presents information using a chronological structure in paragraph 2 and a compare/contrast structure in paragraph 3.
Are these structures effective in supporting the author's thesis that musicians have used many keyboard instruments throughout history?
Answer options with 4 options
1.
No, because only the chronological section supports the thesis. It shows the prominence of several instruments, while the compare/contrast section focuses primarily on the differences between the two.
2.
No, because only the compare/contrast section supports the thesis. It describes how the keyboard instruments were alike, while the chronological section merely lists popular instruments.
3.
Yes, both structures support the thesis. The chronological section explains how keyboard instruments developed over time, and the compare/contrast section places them into distinct categories.
4.
Yes, both structures support the thesis. The chronological section provides interesting details about the piano, and the compare/contrast section emphasizes similarities between the piano and the harpsichord.