7/8 keyboard (Steinbuhler)

[amanfang]

This is a set of videos done by Mario Ajero at the National Conference for Keyboard Pedagogy.  It is on the 7/8 keyboard, a development in keyboard technology that could help pianists with small hands negotiate larger repertoire more easily if this were to catch on.

Part 1:

Part 2:

Any thoughts on this?  I could see benefits.  The only downside I see is that they are so few and far between, that it would be hard to learn something on a smaller keyboard and then have to play it on a standard size.  Although Carol Leone seems to be able to adapt to either quite easily.  She apparently started a young boy on the 7/8 keyboard and as he grew, she switched him to a standard, and he adjusted very quickly and easily.  It is a similar concept to starting kids on a 3/4 violin.

[leahcim]

Yeah, it begs the question, if you can switch why bother - although I guess the answer is 'some pieces'

But if a smaller keyboard was good enough for Hoffman, and it helps you play rep that you otherwise could not, why not?

[Mario needs to fix his RSS feed of these newer videos, I can't get them on my psp anymore]