Fun Music Facts

Classical Music Facts

Ever wondered how to tell the difference between a Harpsichord and a Piano?

• On a harpsichord, the keys that are white on a piano are black and likewise the raised black keys on a piano are white on a harpsichord!


• Also, a harpsichord's strings are plucked compared to the piano's which are hit with a little hammer making the piano fall into the percussion family!

Ravel's Bolero is an 8 measure piece that is repeated again and again until just about every instrument in the orchestra has had a solo. Starting with the Flute and even including the Tenor Saxophone and the rarely used Oboe d'amore!

• Bolero's U.S. premiere was performed by the New York Philharmonic and conducted by Arturo Toscanini on November 14th 1929! Just short of one year after the original premiere at the Paris Opera!


• It's very distinct drum part of 2 measures which is played throughout the entire piece, is the same drum rhythm that was used later in the song Time to Say Goodbye or Con te Partiro written for the tenor, Andrea Boccelli!

Pachelbel's Canon is just 8 chords that are repeated;

• D Major,
• A Major,
• B Minor,
• F# Minor,
• G Major,
• D Major,
• and G Major!

Gustav Holst's The Planets doesn't include Pluto! Pluto was found just after he was finished composing the suite. Now Pluto is just considered a Dwarf Planet!

World Music Facts

Irish Music was generally written to be played in a pub or concert setting, whereas Cape Breton music was made for the folk dances.

Christmas Music Facts

Jingle Bells was originally written as a Thanksgiving Day song.

Cantique de Noel, the French version of O Holy Night, was the second song to be played on a radio!

Share Your Fun Music Facts

What is the funniest Music fact you've heard? In the comments below, share the fun music facts that you just had fun telling your family at dinner last night!

Share things like:

• Wow! Did you know that in just a 7.0 earthquake, an upright Piano can be bounced around so much that it can actually hit the ceiling!
• The popular song, Happy Birthday, is actually still in copyright!

Have fun sharing!