About the Expanded Toy Piano
The Expanded Toy Piano Project aims to widen the musical playing range of the toy piano. In order to create new sounds out of an instrument typically reserved for a child’s use, I have modified several Schoenhut-style toy pianos to create a multi-piano instrument which can produce a chromatic range of pitches across 9 octaves. Due to the toy piano’s characteristic out-of-tune, bell-like pitches, it is not typically considered as serious for performance and composition; however, due to the unique sound property of toy piano tine, it has become a focus for experimentation. Modifications were made to the tine legnths (by cutting the them shorter or by welding metal to lengthen them, thus expanding the possible pitch range from C3-F6 to C1-C10.
To outline my experience with creating the Expanded Toy Piano, I have created a narrative guide available to read below. If you may be interested in composing for this experimental instrument, please be in touch!
- Connor Gibbs
To outline my experience with creating the Expanded Toy Piano, I have created a narrative guide available to read below. If you may be interested in composing for this experimental instrument, please be in touch!
- Connor Gibbs
Click on a chapter below to read more:
1. Developing the Project for a New Instrument
2. Reaching the End of the Piano (C8)
3. Beyond the Piano's Limits (Beyond C8)
4. Lower Frequencies and Welding
5. Additional Toy Pianos and Other Expanded Toy Pianos
6. Writing for Expanded Toy Piano
1. Developing the Project for a New Instrument
2. Reaching the End of the Piano (C8)
3. Beyond the Piano's Limits (Beyond C8)
4. Lower Frequencies and Welding
5. Additional Toy Pianos and Other Expanded Toy Pianos
6. Writing for Expanded Toy Piano