My work calls for travel often enough, that I now book hotels mainly knowing in advance I will have access to a piano. However, sometimes this is not possible and was wondering if there is a keyboard out there which might be used as a substitute.

I happen to be away right now, and although I am looking at an incredible view of the caribbean out of my window, it would be nice to have something to play. I am thinking for this purpose the keyboard would have to be small, maybe 3 octaves, to fit in a suitcase. To serve as a practice instrument it should have a reasonable action, the ability to change octaves to practice both hands, and be able to store tracks to enable you to accompany yourself.

Is there a keyboard out there which might fit the bill?

I hate to hijack a brand new thread, but I travel a fair amount as well, and am always desperate for a piano. I recall years ago that there was a list somewhere on the web of pianist-friendly hotels. Anyone know if it is still around? Or care to share a place you have found?

I've learned that some hotels are very receptive if you ask ahead of time, but never if you ask when registering. Of late, I just take to sneaking down to the ballroom level around 2 am, find a piano, and enjoy myself.

Once, I believe in Orlando, I stumbled across a stable of wonderful pianos - several S&S, a Yamaha that wasn't too bright, and a Baldwin that I really enjoyed. Played from 2-3:30 AM, with lots of applause from the night housekeeping staff.

Thanks, gpiu, for letting me hop in here. I wish I had an answer for you about a portable keyboard.

A fellow student, from a musicianship class that I finished recently, traveled extensively and recommended the Hecsan rollup piano. He told me that he had tried a lot of different brands and this one worked out best for him. Not quite nearly as good as a keyboard nor a real piano, but this is one idea when there's nothing else around.

http://www.hecsaninc.com/

I can't imagine that any "serious" piano student - or music-lover, for that matter - would think that a roll-up piano is anything more than a novelty or toy, and certainly not anything that one could "practice" on. One would do just as well to practice on the edge of a desk or table, wouldn't one - actually, I believe some people do just that.

Regards,

Hi steve,

I travel mainly to asia lately. Compared to the US I find virtually every hotel will let you play a piano if they have one. If you want particular hotels, the okura garden hotel and the four seasons in shanghai have been helpful. As an added bonus, people in asia, particularly in singapore for some reason, are more familiar with the classical repertorie. I've actually received constructive comments while playing scriabin in places I would not have expected.
In europe, people are only slightly less accomodating in that they actually want to hear you play first before letting you play the instrument, but my experience is mainly confined to spain and italy. I get the sense that in asia, people just assume you play if you actually ask to use the piano or might think it impolite to check ahead of time.
Finding pianos in hotels in the US has been the most difficult. But as a rule of thumb, the more upscale the hotel the more likely they will let you use a piano during your stay. One thing I've found is that hotels are more solicitous if the request for a piano comes from a travel agent opposed to directly from you. This is especially true if they book extensive business in addition to your personal and or company travel with the hotel in question.

I found that traveling around the US that many schools with a music department would let me use their practice rooms. A local church may also help out.

I first read about the Yamano 61 roll-up piano from Time Magazine.

Found a 34-key model at a local store with rubber pads like buttons on a calculator or TV remote. Another 61-key model from a toy store in a soft plastic casing.

Saw some demo U-Tube video where people seemed to be able to play complex arrangements. I tried these at a store but was never able to play several keys together at exactly the same time for chords. Even the Yamaha 61-keyboard I currently own I don't find the keys very finger-friendly that practicing for long hours is often more torture than playing on a conventional acoustic. Don't think anybody will be able to play a Concerto or serious composition on one of these.

Too much of a gimmach, too good to be true gadget...

Someone call Marriott. Old keyboards and headphones should go to them and be available on request at arrival.

Heck, let Hertz do it as a $10 add on waiting in the trunk. Beats a GPS anyday.