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#638595 - 05/24/06 04:17 AM
Key Width
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5000 Post Club Member
Registered: 08/06/05
Posts: 5309
Loc: SC Mountains
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Anybody know at what point in time the individual key width of the piano became standardized to the modern width?? Thanks!
_________________________
Slow down and do it right.
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#638596 - 05/24/06 09:21 AM
Re: Key Width
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Full Member
Registered: 05/19/06
Posts: 251
Loc: Lubbock, Texas
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#638597 - 05/24/06 12:38 PM
Re: Key Width
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1000 Post Club Member
Registered: 09/20/04
Posts: 1516
Loc: Massachusetts
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The piano's compass is still not fully standardized. American pianos tend to have the shortest compass and European pianos the longest. The differences are less than an inch.
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#638598 - 05/24/06 12:54 PM
Re: Key Width
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4000 Post Club Member
Registered: 04/24/05
Posts: 4521
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I think it has been more or less standard from the earliest times, since the size of the ends of people's fingers has not changed. For example, I saw an ancient organ on tv and the rough-hewn wooden keys looked the same size as on a modern piano. A modern piano player would thus have no problem playing any keyboard instrument from any era.
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#638599 - 05/24/06 10:22 PM
Re: Key Width
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Full Member
Registered: 01/15/06
Posts: 20
Loc: Laredo Texas
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Pianists with smaller hands can get 7/8s keyboards (designed for Steinway B & D)to slip in instead of the original.
You will find some varying sizes on harpsichords.
It is said that Mason and Hamlin widened their sharps to discourage jazz playing on their pianos (for a time).
Great history link Jim!
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Artisan Piano Care & Sales Technician & Dealer
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#638600 - 05/25/06 12:45 PM
Re: Key Width
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1000 Post Club Member
Registered: 09/20/04
Posts: 1516
Loc: Massachusetts
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If I recall correctly, which I may not be, classic American pianos had a compass of about 42 7/8", European pianos about 43 1/2, with Japanese pianos in between.
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