[CAUT] Natural key width

[Jim Busby]

Ed,

We've used the Steinbuhler here at BYU and it is very good indeed. He also makes a 15/16ths version.

A clinic and concert was given here for pianists with smaller hands and many were absolutely astounded. They could play Rachmaninoff, Liszt, and other composers who were too difficult to play on normal size keys. He said he was going to lower the price (this was about 2 years ago that I spoke with him) and he also had a "rental" plan and payments back then. He is not a piano tech nor a pianist, but is an engineer. Very nice fellow. Have you done an article on him?? This really was "life changing" to the lady here who bought one here. I could give you her name.

Installation instructions are pretty easy to follow and it takes from 3 - 6 hours to fit to your piano. (7 if your me... all thumbs.)

Jim Busby BYU

________________________________
From: caut-bounces at ptg.org [mailto:caut-bounces at ptg.org] On Behalf Of Ed Sutton
Sent: Friday, January 25, 2008 12:02 PM
To: College and University Technicians
Subject: Re: [CAUT] Natural key width

See
www.steinbuhler.com/<http://www.steinbuhler.com/>

They are very well made.

A pianist I know considers it life changing. Unfortunately she no longer plays any but her own piano.
The cost is not likely to make them common. $9,800, shipping and installation not included.
Perhaps new composite materials could lower the price.

Ed S.
----- Original Message -----
From: Ken Zahringer<mailto:ZahringerK at missouri.edu>
To: College and University Technicians<mailto:caut at ptg.org>
Sent: Friday, January 25, 2008 1:43 PM
Subject: Re: [CAUT] Natural key width

The industry standard, if there is one, is the 48 inch keyboard (although Steinway current production is 48 3/8").  Divide that up over 52 white keys, and there isn't really any variation possible in key spacing, and any significant variation in width just gives the Letterman effect.  The DS 7/8 keyboard is 42 inches.  We don't have one here, but I have heard several very positive reviews of it.

Regards,
Ken Z.


On 1/25/08 12:06 PM, "Paul T Williams" <pwilliams4 at unlnotes.unl.edu> wrote:

List,

Is there a standard in the industry for piano key width on the naturals.  Nearly all the pianos here are at 23mm except for the five Mason and Hamlins from the 20's we have which measure 22mm giving them a disconcerting space between the keys. Think of David Letterman <G>. We have no European pianos so I can't measure them.

One of our piano professors is doing some kind of research paper and was a big advocate for one of our practice Steinways to have a 7/8th keyboard installed for small handed students.  (It hardly ever gets played!)

Thanks

Paul

--
Ken Zahringer, RPT
Piano Technician
MU School of Music
297 Fine Arts
882-1202
cell 489-7529
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