Most of us who play the piano have at times wished the keyboard were a little more narrow--reaching beyond an octave can be a problem, and even an octave can be difficult for some.
Given the fact that we all have different size hands, why is it that all keyboards are the same? As it turns out, they weren't always so. In the 18th and 19th centuries, keyboards came in various sizes. It was only with the advent of mass production that manufacturers decided on a standard size.
Enter Carol Leone. I recently received a review copy of her new disk "Change of Keys--One Piano, Three Keyboards", and as it turns out, she's leading the charge to create different options for the piano. The typical piano keyboard is designed so that the span of an octave is 6.5 inches. Leone has been working with a manufacturer to create alternative sizes, with a span of either 6.0 inches, or 5.5 inches. She plays them all on her new disk--her Steinway D fitted with each of the three for the different pieces on the disk.
It's certainly an interesting concept. And by the way, her playing is pretty good, too. The disk is on MSR Classics, and their web site is www.msrcd.com.
Given the fact that we all have different size hands, why is it that all keyboards are the same? As it turns out, they weren't always so. In the 18th and 19th centuries, keyboards came in various sizes. It was only with the advent of mass production that manufacturers decided on a standard size.
Enter Carol Leone. I recently received a review copy of her new disk "Change of Keys--One Piano, Three Keyboards", and as it turns out, she's leading the charge to create different options for the piano. The typical piano keyboard is designed so that the span of an octave is 6.5 inches. Leone has been working with a manufacturer to create alternative sizes, with a span of either 6.0 inches, or 5.5 inches. She plays them all on her new disk--her Steinway D fitted with each of the three for the different pieces on the disk.
It's certainly an interesting concept. And by the way, her playing is pretty good, too. The disk is on MSR Classics, and their web site is www.msrcd.com.
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