Modern pianos have two or three strings tuned in unison for each note (except for the bass notes, which are single strings); all the strings are made of steel, the bass notes being wound with copper to increase their resonance. Both upright and grand pianos have at least two pedals: the soft pedal either moves the action sideways so that the hammer only strikes two of the three strings or brings the action closer to the strings to reduce the impact; the sustaining (or loud) pedal removes the dampers from the strings so that the strings continue to sound after the note has been released.

The repertoire of music for the piano in enormous, including solo pieces, chamber music, and concertos. It is also an extremely versatile accompanying instrument