One of the reasons for this, I imagine, is the piano-centric nature of a lot of (amateur) music since 1800 or so. In small settings, a single woodwind or even a

One of the reasons for this, I imagine, is the piano-centric nature of a lot of (amateur) music since 1800 or so. In small settings, a single woodwind or even a violin isn't all that useful. When you're targeting amateur musicians (a vastly larger group than professionals), basing yourself off a piano keyboard is a good bet as most of them will at least be familiar with it.