The Expanded Toy Piano: Other Instruments

Connor completed his Expanded Toy Piano project in late December 2018. He started his project in September 2017, and in the process, learned of other instruments besides those created by Schoenhut and other creatives experimenting with toy piano sounds. It should be clarified that Connor’s experimentation here was relatively siloed, and should not be considered definitive or “best.” (It is very exciting that others are interested in exploring new possibilities of/with toy piano.)


There was a question that came up during this project: what counts as a toy piano? The Schoenhut-like sound of a toy piano might be [among] the most recognizable sound from use in works by creative pioneer John Cage (​Suite for Toy Piano, 1948) or in newer works. Other toy pianos, such as those by Kawai, have contrasting timbres due to different materials used. The tubes used inside a Kawai piano can be seen in this video (2009) by pianist Eiko Sudoh.


As possible, other types of expanded toy pianos are documented below.

  • Алекс Ч
  • bBoss1997
  • Kawai
  • Lava Akustik

Алекс Ч’s YouTube Channel: [Click Here]


[1] Handmade piano with a range of C0–C9 (September 18, 2021). This instrument was developed after the one mentioned below (note 3), but uses guitar strings throughout, so may not necessarily qualify as a toy piano [in the strictest sense timbrally].


[2] Handmade piano with a range of C5–C9 (June 10, 2021). This instrument’s timbre is metallic, quite similar to Kawai toy pianos.


[3] Handmade piano with a range of C0-C8 (December 1, 2018). This instrument uses piano strings for C0–B3, then toy piano tines for C4–C6 and shortened tines afterward up to C8. Early on, Connor imagined having one large instrument instead of combining multiple toy pianos together; Алекс’s instrument accomplishes this. (An earlier video of this instrument was posted on August 26, 2018.) This instrument’s exterior was improved in 2020, seen in this video (June 7, 2020). On this instrument, Frédéric Chopin’s Waltz No. 13 in Db major (Op. 70, no. 3) can be heard in this video (April 25, 2024).

bBoss1997’s YouTube Channel: [Click Here]


[1] Converted Jaymar-brand toy piano with a range of C5–C7 using tines from a Fender Rhodes instrument and added polar fleece to the plastic hammers and between the keys. (This is referred to as a homemade celesta, which may or may not be a fully accurate classification.)

Kawai’s Website: [Click Here]


[1] This video demonstration (2021) produced by James Pavel Shawcross showcases three different models of Kawai toy pianos. The first can be seen @ 4:50 reaching up to an F7. The video features two other models which each go up to C8; a B7 on one of these can be heard @ 11:04, and the top C8 on the other @ 21:38.


[2] YunPianist on YouTube (유누 Toypiano) has a wide collection of toy pianos, which can be seen in this showcase video (2018). A wooden grand piano variant Kawai instrument can be seen @ 6:47, with every key played from the instrument’s range of F5–C8.

Lava Akustik’s Website: [Click Here]


[1] This video demonstration (2023) showcases an instrument that can play up to B7, seen @ 0:14. The sound and construction of this instrument is similar to a Kawai-brand toy piano and uses metal tubes instead of bars/plates, thus classifying this as a toy piano and not as a celesta as the video title suggests, feels appropriate. An alternate design can be seen in this video (2023).


[2] Another instrument shown in this video (2023) can play up to G7, seen @ 0:16. (The sound is higher by a Perfect 5th compared to the layout of the keyboard, i.e. C sounds up to G.)