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Topic: my ultimate opposite sided piano  (Read 1787 times)

Offline Tash

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my ultimate opposite sided piano
on: May 29, 2004, 02:54:21 PM
ok this is my ultimate dream: to create a piano whose notes don't go from left-right low pitch to high pitch, but rather the opposite, so the left hand area is actually the higher pitched notes, if you get what i mean. so it's basically like a 'left-handed' piano, so the left hand can play what the right hand normally plays- like a mirror image!
do you reckon this would work?has it been done before? i plan on becoming the world master of this soon to happen piano just wait and see!
'J'aime presque autant les images que la musique' Debussy

Offline Saturn

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Re: my ultimate opposite sided piano
Reply #1 on: May 29, 2004, 04:22:09 PM
A quick search on google reveals that this has been done:

https://www.lefthandedpiano.co.uk/

If the piano was designed with left-handed people in mind, it is actually counterproductive!  Assuming that left-handed people have less strength and coordination in their right side, it seems logical at first to put the higher notes on the left side.  That way, the left hand would usually be carrying the melody.

Unfortunately, then the right hand would be left to handle the bass notes and chords all by itself.  Being the weaker hand, it would be less apt to produce the power and sonority needed for the bass.  I don't really see how this improves things for the left-handed pianist.  You'll end up having to build up the required strength and coordination in both hands anyway.

Also, you can't expect there to be a left-handed piano everywhere you wish to play or perform, unless you bring one with you.

According to the website, "Chris [designer of the left-handed piano] has already received a huge amount of media and public support", so maybe there's something I'm missing here.

Offline jr11

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Re: my ultimate opposite sided piano
Reply #2 on: May 29, 2004, 06:24:03 PM
I've wondered about this too. The biggest problem I see is you would only be able to play on one piano in your LIFE, and would have to learn that method right from the beginning. Finding a teacher would certainly be a problem, and obviously any performance or competition on other instruments would be out of the question. Too bad, a piano is just not that portable! You would need to read the music inverted (sort of) as well. Not quite as simple as just playing a left-handed guitar.

I am left handed, and I think it would be a great thing, if not for the technical difficulties. Most pianos, especially larger grands, seem to have a built-in sonic balance to favour the weaker left hand of right-handed pianists. I find I need to conciously back off on the left hand and bring out the right, or the bass is overpowering. I would even be quite pleased if manufacturers could produce models to correct this balance for left-handers, but again you would have the problem of being screwed up when going to another instrument.

I see no reason why a left-handed mode couldn't be programmed into a digital.

Offline donjuan

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hmmmRe: my ultimate opposite sided piano
Reply #3 on: May 30, 2004, 12:20:16 AM
Here's an idea: build a piano with high notes on the left and low notes on the right, and play it like a normal piano.  what would it sound like?hmmmm ::)
donjuan

Offline Saturn

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Re: my ultimate opposite sided piano
Reply #4 on: May 30, 2004, 03:00:50 AM
Quote
I've wondered about this too. The biggest problem I see is you would only be able to play on one piano in your LIFE, and would have to learn that method right from the beginning. Finding a teacher would certainly be a problem, and obviously any performance or competition on other instruments would be out of the question. Too bad, a piano is just not that portable! You would need to read the music inverted (sort of) as well. Not quite as simple as just playing a left-handed guitar.


On the website, it says that the guy who designed the left-handed piano can actually play on both the left-handed and the standard piano.  Essentially you'd be forced to learn to play on a normal piano anyway.

The left handed-piano he had built is a fortepiano.  It's much lighter than a modern piano, and therefore more portable.  That's how he carries his around with him when he tours.


Quote
I see no reason why a left-handed mode couldn't be programmed into a digital.


It could, that's how the designer got the idea for the left-handed piano.

Offline G.Fiore

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Re: my ultimate opposite sided piano
Reply #5 on: May 30, 2004, 09:23:39 PM
Go to Blüthner piano's website, Blüthner piano .com. They have been producing two models in their line as left-handed pianos for about three years. The models 4 and 1. They are by special order only.
George Fiore /aka Curry
 Piano Technician serving the central New Jersey area

Offline Tash

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Re: hmmmRe: my ultimate opposite sided piano
Reply #6 on: May 31, 2004, 05:53:43 AM
oh damn nothing is ever original anymore. but that's cool i'd like to try playing it it'd be interesting.

Quote
Here's an idea: build a piano with high notes on the left and low notes on the right, and play it like a normal piano.  what would it sound like?hmmmm ::)
donjuan


HAHAHA that would be the funniest! better yet don't even bother changing the pitches, just switch the right and left hand parts and you'll get the same thing!
'J'aime presque autant les images que la musique' Debussy

Spatula

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Re: my ultimate opposite sided piano
Reply #7 on: May 31, 2004, 06:05:50 AM
I still want to see a "triple decker piano" kinda like an organ but 3 tiers of keys.

either that or a piano with the keys lined up in a "C" fashion that than the normal straight fashion.
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