Tracing the roots of the piano to the very beginning of consciousness, when man first became aware of sound.
Early 1100s, Dulcimer

As with many early representations of instruments, the dulcimer may be first seen in The Queen Melisende Psalter, c.1139, a “12th century carved ivory book-cover made in Byzantium for Melisende, the wife of Fulk V of Anjou, King of Jerusalem.” [ 2 ] There is some doubt regarding the claim, as no mention of the instrument is recorded for another 300 years.
Page Sources
SOURCES
[ CLOSE ]
[1]
Medieval Manuscripts. "Psalter (The ‘Melisende Psalter’)." Scan/Photograph from Egerton MS 1139. The British Library Board. The British Library Board, 12 Aug 2013. Web. 21 Aug 2015. No Known Copyright Issues.
[2]
Blanton, Nicholas. "The Origin of the Hammered Dulcimer Finally Not Explained." Dulcimer Players News. Vol. 27 No. 2. Spring 2001. issuu. Web. 14 Sept. 2015.
[3]
Siquomb1. "Joni Mitchell & Dulcimer Detail – California." Online Video Clip. YouTube. YouTube, 12 June 2010. Web. 14 Oct. 2015. Standard YouTube License.
[4]
ContemporaryDulcimer. "Led Zeppelin – 'Whole Lotta Love' – on Dulcimer." Online Video Clip. YouTube. YouTube, 10 May 2014. Web. 14 Oct. 2015. Standard YouTube License.