The piano consists of keys, hammer and muting mechanisms, strings of different gauge, soundboard and the frame. The concert grand piano has 243 strings, their length ranging from 5 cm to 2 meters. The soundboard projects most of the sound that is heard.
The piano strings are tuned inharmonically, the lower strings are tuned slightly down, the higher strings slightly up. Each one of the hammers have several strings to them, and these are not tuned exactly to the same frequency between themselves. The upright piano is another commonly used version of the instrument.
The sound of the piano is compatible with all known orchestral instruments.
