In Italian, the word “piano” has multiple meanings depending on context: it can mean “slowly/softly” (Parla più piano), “flat/level” (una strada piana), “floor/storey of a building” (terzo piano), “plan or project” (un piano di lavoro), “level or perspective” (sul piano economico), “plain/flatland” in geography (il piano), “plane” in geometry (piano cartesiano), “foreground/close‑up” in film and photography (primo piano), and as an interjection it means “easy!” or “careful!” (Piano!). It also refers to the musical instrument, the piano.

This is an incredible video showing the stark truth of the pianoforte industry.