Music is extraordinarily influential and has transformed so much from where it began. Music is used for entertainment, expression of feelings and thoughts, and many other things. In particular, the piano is a very beautiful and peaceful instrument. It has also evolved tremendously over time. Numerous other stringed and keyboard instruments preceded the piano and ultimately led to the development of the instrument as we know it today. The word "music" comes from the Greek word "Mousiki" which means the science of composing melodies. . According to dictionaries and encyclopedias, music is defined as "an artistic form of auditory communication that incorporates instrumental or vocal tones in a structured and continuous manner." It is also described as "any pleasant or harmonious sound". Music turned out to be universal and conditional. One person may consider something to be music, good or bad, while another may not. Music is something that everyone has heard and known and with which it seems that our bodies create a kind of music. The rhythm of our heartbeats and the way we walk are just one example. It has also been found to affect how we feel, act, and even how we learn and understand things. Music comes in countless types and categories, and each imagines something different. There are six musical periods, and each has a different style that has contributed greatly to what we know as music today. The periods are: Middle Ages, Renaissance, Classical, Baroque, Romantic and 20th century. Musical style in the Middle Ages and Renaissance typically consisted of church music. At that time there were two general types of music: paper centrals and backgrounds. The one thing they all have in common, though, is that they are widely known and admired for their extraordinary works. Works Cited http://wiki.answers.com/Q/How_many_types_of_pianos_are_there http://inventors.about.com/od/mstartinventions/ tp/musicalinstrument.htmhttp://pianonet.com/all-about-pianos/history-of -the-piano/http://inventors.about.com/od/pstartinventions/a/piano.htmhttp://www. google.com/search?q=the+history+of+musical+instruments&hl=en&safe=active&sa=G&prmd=ivns&tbs=tl:1&tbo=u&ei=JaCHTbaWK86gtwenoLXIBA&oi=timeline_result&ct=title&resnum=11&ved=0CFAQ5wIwCghttp://musiced.about.com/ od/beginnersguide/a/intro.htmhttp://method-behind-the-music.com/history/composers#vivaldihttp://www.bestpianolessons.com/piano-composers/piano-composers.htmlhttp://www. rpfuller.com/gcse/music/renaissance.htmlhttp://www.pianoworld.com/facts.htm