narrow key pianos. [View all]

x posting from music appreciation.

meet athena, the world’s 1st narrow key digital piano.
https://www.narrowkeys.com/athena

it’s a 5.5 keyboard, as opposed to the standard 6.5. (inches/octave) if u want to know if this is right for u, measure the span of your hand, spread out. if it’s less than 6 1/2” it wd likely help u. mine is only 5 1/2”. there r 6.0’s out there.
they’re spendy rn, but i suspect the price will come down. i’m anxiously awaiting mine. i bought at an introductory price, which i think is still available. will b delivered in the next month. put my order in in the spring.
not sure where they r built, but the company is in canada. i was worried about the tariffs, but just got an email saying they will absorb them.

to me it is a political issue. most piano students r female, but they only very rarely win competitions, or even make it to the finals. they suffer repetitive stress injuries at a much higher rate than men. i find it insane that steinway built a piano like this long, long ago, but pretends they dont exist. they will make a special order upright, but they wont make a grand.
i tried to tell the local dealer that they wd b smart to market them. where i am, u can get a free piano any day of the week. u can get a used/vintage grand for a few k. there’s no reason to buy new. THIS wd b a reason for every suburban dad w a talented daughter, or a son w small hands, to buy new. but noooo.
you can retrofit an existing piano, but there is a 2-3 yr wait from the only guy who makes them rn, and it’s hard to find a mechanic who will do it. (it’s not hard.)

i admit that i am not making a lot of progress learning to play, but i wanted to put my money where my mouth is on this topic.
i do try to noodle a bit daily, and hoping to get back to my lessons soon. i’ve been terribly sick all year.