The piano is an acoustic, stringed musical instrument invented in Italy by Bartolomeo Cristofori around the year 1700, in which the strings are struck by wooden hammers that are coated with a softer material. It is played using a keyboard, which is a row of keys that the performer presses down or strikes with the fingers and thumbs of both hands to cause the hammers to strike the strings. Piano Exercises for Developing Technique and Speed - YouTube. Here are my videos dealing with developing your piano technique, speed, and overall mastery of this challenging instrument.