Folding Piano Keyboard?

[Shagdac]

Just wanted to share this, I know this is just a toy however wouldn't it really be nice, if a somewhat good quality "folding" keyboard was devised such as this. I don't know why someone has already invented one. I know myself, as well as friends who wish they had a very small say 5 or 6 octave keyboard that would be about the siz of a notebook folded up. How great for travel. You'd have keyboard on Vacation, work, etc. I know they have portable keyboards (I have one also), but nothing that compares to the size of what I'd like.
Guess someone has thought of it....too bad it's just a toy!

https://www.thefinalstore.com/shop/product.aspx?asin=B00005M8YL


s

[xvimbi]

There are roll-up keyboards on the market. I have however not seen one and don't know if they are any good and useful for traveling. Check out:

https://www.skymall.com/webapp/skystore?process=prodDisplay&action=&pid=69647550&catId=5034

https://www.wirefarm.com/archives/003888.html

[donjuan]

There are roll-up keyboards on the market. I have however not seen one and don't know if they are any good and useful for traveling. Check out:

https://www.skymall.com/webapp/skystore?process=prodDisplay&action=&pid=69647550&catId=5034

https://www.wirefarm.com/archives/003888.html

hey! these things could be quite useful for composing while travelling, and keeping the piano in the mind while away from the real one..
now xvimbi, this might be a toy worth buying!
donjuan

[donjuan]

here's a page all about this one kind of keyboard..
https://www.yamano-music.com/docs/hard/handroll_piano.html
I cant read a single word on the page, however.

[Shagdac]

Thanks so much for your response. I just ordered one a few minutes ago, will let you know what I think. Yeah, it's not that great as far as being anywhere near realistic, however it's better than nothing, and I think it will really come in handy for these long overnights I work!

Again, thank you.
S

[donjuan]

Thanks so much for your response. I just ordered one a few minutes ago, will let you know what I think. Yeah, it's not that great as far as being anywhere near realistic, however it's better than nothing, and I think it will really come in handy for these long overnights I work!

Again, thank you.
S

!!! which one did you order?  I was considering ordering one...
donjuan

[Shagdac]

The one from the first link below my original post..from
Skymall.com. Without going and looking, I think it was the one around $149.00. The keyboard in Skymall.com looks identical to me as the one in the Yamano.com.
I also got the expidited delivery so it would be shipped within 2 days. I'll let you know as soon as I get it what I think.

S   (Feels like Christmas!!! I'll be looking for the mailman everyday now!)

[donjuan]

The one from the first link below my original post..from
Skymall.com. Without going and looking, I think it was the one around $149.00. The keyboard in Skymall.com looks identical to me as the one in the Yamano.com.
I also got the expidited delivery so it would be shipped within 2 days. I'll let you know as soon as I get it what I think.

S   (Feels like Christmas!!! I'll be looking for the mailman everyday now!)

yes, please let me know if it was worth it.  I was seriously, like two clicks away from ordering that one..

[Shagdac]

I printed the Manufactures manual on it DonJuan and thought you'd be interested in the specs.

4 Octaves + 1 Key (49 full size keys)
Tones: 100 different
Power: DC 4 AA batteries or AC adapter
Output 300 (500) mW
Approx Size (In inches)
a)Control Panel = 3" (W) x 10" (H) x 1 3/4" (T)
b)Keyboard = 28 1/2" (W) x 6 3/4" (H) x 1/8 " (T)
c)Carrying Case = 11 1/2" (L) x 8 1/2" (W)
Weight = approx. 3.0 lbs
Polyphony = 8 notes

It is power friendly, running for up to 15 hours on 4 batteries.
Has 4 octaves
Volume Control
Different Voices
Play up to 8 notes simultanesly
Has internal speaks or can be hooked up to computer or auxiliary speakers.
Comes with AC adapter
Comes with headphones
90 day warranty

It is available thru Hecsan Company, located in San Antonio Texas.

Anyway, thought you might like to read the additional information I had on it. I certainly will let you know if it is worth anything, or a waste of money. I've never seen anything like this before though, and hopefully some other companies will get the idea, and start producing some other types of collapsable, foldable...really good travel type practice keyboards with real keys.

S

[donjuan]

thanks for that info.  Yeah, 49 keys is a little weak, but what worries me is if the black keys are elavated, or differently textured, or something, otherwise, it will feel so weird maybe it would be better not to practice on it...
donjuan

anyway, you will see soon enough- It will arrive tomorrow, or the next day.

[Shagdac]

It arrived late yesterday afternoon. It looks just like it does in the picture. I haven't had that much time with it yet, however tried it out on the kitchen table. So far, yes there are some drawbacks. It seems like you have to hit on the keys just right for them to play...not always but sometimes.  No the black keys are not different, however there is a slight indentation around each key, like they are seperated a little bit,  so if you run your hand over the surface it's not entirely smooth. Also even though the keys don't actually go down, the material covering the top is not completely hard. So it's kinda like pushing a finger on top of your skin, it does give just a bit. the sound is that of a electric piano keyboard. The different voices do work quite well. It's okay for playing simpler pieces, but when I hit say 4 finger chords with both hands, didn't sound like ALL the notes were play all the time. Also, the one G didn't sound perfectly in tune with the G 2 octaves lower.

Technically no, it's NOTHING like the real thing, but will I be able get SOME use from it, Yes, I think so. I did a few scale exercises on it, and that was fine, but being limited by only 49 notes did limit what I could play on it. I would be hesitant to recommend this for anyone wanting to get really serious practice out of it, however it really is a neat little novelty keyboard, and it IS better than nothing, so I'm still glad I got it.  I'm anxious to show it to my teacher today at lessona and see what he says. I think someone who doesn't really play or is just learning really simply pieces would be happier with it, than someone looking for higher quality.

I'll be able to form a better opinion after I have had alittle more time with it.

S

[donjuan]

thanks for the feedback.  I dont think it would be worth my money...but can you use it for sight reading practice?  Or is it really tough with the black keys at the same level..

hey, I bet you can do really fast chromatic scales in a glissando! lol

[Shagdac]

You could use it for sight reading practice, sure. I took it yesterday and showed my piano teacher. He played something really pretty on it. I was amazed. Now that I have had for several days, and gotten used to it, I like it alot. It's alittle weird at first because the black keys are not raised up higher, however after I got used to it, it worked fine, and I am really happy with it. Oh yes,...scales are a breeze! haha!

S

[donjuan]

Do you have problems going from the rolling keyboard to the piano?  Does it feel completely different?

[drooxy]

Hi Guys,

That folding keyboard seems funny...  
but is not sold in Europe...  

Have you read that thread that deals with really portable weighted action keyboard...

https://www.pianoforum.net/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.cgi?board=inst;action=display;num=1079199900


I thought you might be interested...  

Cordially
Drooxy

[donjuan]

yeah, it kind of sucks what peter ended up doing- cutting keys off his keyboard.

sad..
donjuan

[drooxy]

Poor keyboard...  

[Shagdac]

Thanks Drooxy, seems like there really is a large market for a keyboard of this type. I'm not surprised at all. DonJuan, yes, it does feel completely different than an actual keyboard, but does it cause any difficulty whatsoever...NO. Not all all. In fact, now that I have had it for several more days, and had a chance to really get used to it, I really love it. It is not comparable to a real keyboard at all, however, it is the best "portable" easy to carry (sneak into work haha) kind I have ever used. I also have a small 5 or so octave yamaha, its okay, very portable, but now one I could carry to work every day. I need something I could lock up in my desk and take out every night.

Anyway, now that I have gotten used to the technique required to play well on the folding keyboard, it is useful for exactly thje purpose I had intended. The biggest drawback I guess even more that the keys not pushing down (although I'm used to that now), is the fact that the black keys are not raised at all. But I have experienced no problems with going from the folding keyboard back to a real one.....or at least anymore than I would from my Clavinova, or other yamaha portable keyboard. to me no 2 keyboards are identical anyway, so it's just a matter of adjusting alittle.

I am very pleased with this thing now, and have no reservations about my purchase. Until someone makes a better one, it will do fine.

S

[drooxy]

Hi everyone,

I went to the sites from where one can order this roll-up piano but they say that this product cannot be exported...

Does somebody know if it is available in Europe (I did not find it in France but maybe in UK ?)

Thanks,
Drooxy

[dlu]

Why don't you get one of those gigantic mats with piano keys on it, you know? one of those ones you hop on the key and it maked the corresponding noise. I've always wanted one of those that is full size (88 keys). Wouldn't that be awesome. OMG!!! I think that Steinway or someone should make one and they'd sell big time. Do you think it would be possible if there were 88 people (say, the greatest artists: Kissin, Argerich, ect.......) one on each key they would be able to play say the rach3 on it?

[donjuan]

Why don't you get one of those gigantic mats with piano keys on it, you know? one of those ones you hop on the key and it maked the corresponding noise. I've always wanted one of those that is full size (88 keys). Wouldn't that be awesome. OMG!!! I think that Steinway or someone should make one and they'd sell big time. Do you think it would be possible if there were 88 people (say, the greatest artists: Kissin, Argerich, ect.......) one on each key they would be able to play say the rach3 on it?

I dont know, I just cant see Martha Argerich jumping up and down on her key!

[dlu]

I dont know, I just cant see Martha Argerich jumping up and down on her key!

HaHa!! How would they do a glissando!

[dlu]

HaHa!! How would they do a glissando!

Can't you just imagine Lang Lang or someone being slid up the keyboard?

[donjuan]

What if they had to do really fast repeated notes?
hehe

[Daevren]

I guess this gives a new meaning to paino rolls.

[Saturn]

Do you think it would be possible if there were 88 people (say, the greatest artists: Kissin, Argerich, ect.......) one on each key they would be able to play say the rach3 on it?

Or better yet, don't bother using great artists.  Just use 88 fourteen year olds, who have only been playing the piano for 6 months