The Piano Trio is a mixed group with instruments from two different families: the strings and percussion. It's one of the most popular combinations of instruments. Mozart, Beethoven and many other great composers wrote for this combination.Morris: Hi Paula.
Paula: Hi Morris
Morris: Is there a mistake here? Is the piano really a percussion instrument?
Paula: Well Morris, if you look inside the piano. Look inside - you could fit right inside! you'll see lots of little felt-tipped hammers. When I press a key the hammers hit the string. So in that way it's a percussion instrument
Morris: Okay. So if they're two string instruments and one percussion instrument in this group, why is it called a piano trio?
Paula: I think that's because when the piano trio was first developed, the piano was the main instrument. The violin just played what the pianist played with her right hand, and the cellist played what she played with her
Xiao-Dan: But now, the violin and cello are just as important.
Michael: but the name stuck. And that's why it's called piano trio.
Morris: Thanks guys! See you backstage!