f piano music increased drastically. This was because the Industrial Revolution allowed piano manufacturers to developed methods for building many more pianos at lower costs. Pianos were no longer so expensive that ownership was reserved exclusively for the wealthy. Middle class could also own them and make music at home greatly expanding the musical audience. The sonata was still used at court and to a lesser extent in the church. These locations are mainly due to the Baroque era, however, during the Classical period the sonata took on distinctly different functions. The sonata was a,"diversion of the amateur or dilettante, a launching vehicle for the professional composer and performer, a training resource for the student; an occasional item in private and public concerts; and a conventional music accessory in the church"(Newman 486). The sonata was basically used during small social gatherings, or as musical training. Another, and likely most important function of the sonata was as way for composers to become known. "Every musician who aspired to join the company of composers working for the public generally began his career with keyboard compositions, namely with solo sonatas"(Newman 487).
             The first composers to significantly development the sonata dur
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