What is the origin of the word piano?
The significance of ‘soft and loud’ as the name of a keyboard instrument derives from the fact that the harpsichord, a common household keyboard instrument of the day, could not vary the volume of playing, at least not note by note. The piano’s unique “escapement” action makes this possible. The clavichord can produce subtle changes in volume, but the sound is so delicate and soft over-all that it can hardly be compared with the piano.
