While I was practicing yesterday morning in preparation to play for some co-workers on Sunday, I was thinking that having the music on the desk, even though the piece is memorized, is like a security blanket. Then I thought, what if the music could be there but the audience couldn't see it? So I had this inventive idea: What if the piano's desk had a flat-screen computer monitor built-in? You could then keep your music electronically and just bring it up with the touch of a button.

What do you think?

Are you talking about playing on a grand or an upright? My favorite way to play (on a grand) is WITHOUT music, because then you can either put the music desk down, or take it off all together, and you HEAR the piano so much better. The desk blocks alot of the subtleties, and I find it much more pleasing as the player to play without it in the way. Sometimes, I put the music desk flat, and lay the music on it and play that way so I can get the full effect of the piano. Jodi

Bernard: I like your idea. Maybe they can find a way to make this electronic sheet music turn its own pages for you, so that you can keep both hands on the keyboard the whole time. Could something like that be done? I hate turning pages, it disrupts the music.

Aren't there pianos that can record what you are playing and even write out the sheet music for what you recorded? Certainly there would be a way for the computer music desk to be hooked into that kind of thing so that it knows where you are in the music and could then turn the pages when you get to that part. There would have to be some adjustment for missed notes, though. Its an interesting idea. Jodi

I haven't read up much on it, but I wouldn't be surprised if that new-fangled Yamaha going for $333K had something sort of like that on it. It's one wild looking instrument.

Josh

By the way, you can read about that one (Yamaha Disklavier Pro 2000) on this site on the "Stories and Reviews" page (article is titled "$333,000 New Piano!"). Modern technology - unbelievable. If Beethoven could see this one (not to mention MOST of today's pianos), he would probably soil his breeches.

Josh

YUK! I just went to the Yamaha web site to see a picture of the piano Josh speaks of. I really don't like it. Not atractive at all.

SEE! It does not look too good. Would you want that in your home?

[ November 10, 2001: Message edited by: jgoo ]

Well, while it woudn't go in my current living room, in the right setting, it could be quite spectacular. I think its pretty cool looking - I wonder what it sounds like? Jodi

[ November 10, 2001: Message edited by: jodi ]

Jodi,
I doubt I'll ever find out firsthand, but my guess would be it probably sounds just like a higher-end Yamaha (S-series maybe). My problem is that it would take me a month just to figure out how to play it! (I am as computer-illiterate as they come).

Josh

Wow! Looks like a Piano Recital Hall slept with the Sydney Opera House slept with an Apple Computer slept with your typical Office Furniture slept with 747 ****pit and viola ... a new piano.

But I like it... Not in my apartment... but I like it.

Bernard: Good description. I'm still laughing. I would have never of been able to come up with that combonation but when I read your post and look at the piano again, it seems to all come together.

What is the deal with that bench? It looks like the same cold, hard slab of metal they make you sit on at the doctor's office. brrr! to cold and technical for me. and there's no way it would have that rich, beatiful sound that something like a mason and hamlin would have to offer...

though it seems to be a very technologically advanced piano, it isn't attracting me to play it... usually when i see a grand piano i'm so inspired/excited that i feel like playing it... not this one... looks like a machine... not a piano...