Reduced-Size Keyboards Part 2

Part 2 covers reactions and testimonials from pianists who have used the 7/8 reduced size keyboard, including Dr. Anita Renfroe from Millersville University.

In addition, Sarah Evans and Peter Davis from Bob Jones University share their results from a research study measuring pianists' adaptability to the 7/8 keyboard.

To get more information on David Steinbuhler's keyboards, visit: http://www.steinbuhler.com

Category:

Music

Tags:

• piano
• small
• hands
• nckp
• wellness
• steinbuhler
• 7/8
• keyboard
• classical
• music
• pedagogy
• Rachmaninov
• big
• Debussy
• L'Isle
• Joyeuse

[pookiecatblue]

It's ridiculous that smaller pianos have not been available for so many years. It's not a one size fits all.

[scotsmanlerxt]

I'm sure electronic keyboards will follow suit. My hands are fairly big but I know others who would love this. This is an idea whose time has come.

[dupre55]

I want one of these so badly! But it's still out of reach (pun intended). :)

[itskirstybetchx]

I would love to have a reduced size piano when I have my own place and can afford it. I find playing on conventional keyboards very difficult when playing fast paced pieces or big chords, my hands are very small so my accuracy suffers quite a lot. I don't think my true potential has been realised because of the size of my hands.

[jerryknuck]

@llwayneio There is a tipping point of hand size vis-a-vis keyboard size, at which pianists with large hands would begin to find it to be a disadvantage to play on a smaller keyboard. Since the keys would be narrower, large hands would begin to have trouble accurately striking keys without striking adjacent keys accidentally. I'm sure that Rachmaninoff would have found it to be more, not less, difficult to play on a reduced size keyboard.

[llwayneio]

Only thing that worries me is that people with big hands will start using it and then we will be back to square one :P

[Tictac2220]

Where can I buy the song that's playing from 8:17 - 8:57?

[pianofan]

There is absolutely no reason why the smaller keyboards should not be readily available everywhere. When they get the publicity and acceptance they deserve and smaller-handed pianists demand them, we'll see them everywhere and about time, too.

[aaa1232123]

First, you're wrong about her handspan -- it was a tenth (from an interview), which is how she could play Rachmaninoff and Liszt. It is impossible to play some things if you cannot reach an octave. You can always roll chords but the real benefit to a smaller size is in fast passages as in, for example, the 3rd movement of the Rachmaninoff 3rd concerto. You just can't hit the keys hard if your hands are contorted. It hinders musicality. Piano playing should not be seen as a technical exercise.

[innerpig]

Another thing--pianos don't even NEED to be that bulky and big. Granted, the Bosendorfer is known for it's big sound, but on the other hand there are toy-piano and mini-piano virtuosos out there. EVERY piano has different sonic qualities, regardless of size. So if these big companies would just make smaller pianos just imagine a piano that u could move on your own with a friend instead of hiring expensive movers. Also, no one mentioned the ease it is for CHILDREN to learn and play.--CONSPIRACY.

[X2T2X]

blasphemy!!! totally against any change to piano grands.... keyboards - fine by me, but it's a sacrilege to change anything to the standard grand! keep the instruments what they used to be! I don't see customizing a trumpet for small lips, do you?