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... Christopher Donison (1998) Mozart, men and women may be much more on a level playing field. Table 1 summarises these results. ...
... Given the evidence presented, one may wonder why pianists have not already demanded change, forcing piano manufacturers to respond. A number of writers have commented on this (Donison, 1998, Yoshimura & Chesky, 2009, mentioning various prevailing myths, lack of alternatives that allow pianists to experience the difference for themselves, and the 'piano culture'. ...
... Another unfortunate attitude relates to the use of a smaller keyboard as 'cheating', as discussed by Yoshimura and Chesky (2009) Donison (1998Donison ( , 2000 has said, as a small-handed pianist, he simply did not realise how much easier just about everything is on a smaller keyboard. In addition, he makes the important observation that the larger-handed players never experienced the same problems as small-handed players because their hands were big enough by the time they were playing advanced repertoire, and the smaller-handed players never had the chance to experience the feeling of having larger hands. ...
The width of piano keys became standardised approximately 120 years ago, based on the needs of European male pianists. Only recently has piano keyboard size come into question, as more pianists experience the benefits of reduced-size keyboards.
There is strong evidence that small-handed pianists are more likely to suffer pain and injury than those with larger hands. Many pianists, particularly women and children, are unable to reach their full potential with the standard keyboard.
The lecture/demonstration will include statistics, literature review, live and recorded performances, and a rationale for encouraging the use of smaller piano keyboards.
... Two North American pianist-academics, Carol Leone (2003) and Christopher Donison (1998Donison ( , 2000, have commented on the significant benefits of reduced-size keyboards for their own playing. Both Leone and another academic, Lora Deahl (personal communication), have also commented on the experiences of their students. ...
Previous research by the author has documented the perceived benefits of reduced-size piano keyboards for smaller-handed pianists. This paper reviews the biomechanical and physiological factors that might explain these perceptions.
Referring in particular to the work of Otto Ortmann early last century, the factors described include direct mechanical disadvantages from a mismatch between hand span and keyboard size, the resulting muscular tension and fatigue, and the compounding impacts on the central nervous system.
The availability of smaller piano keyboards combined with new technology provides many exciting research opportunities. This could help to create the momentum for a break from the ‘one size fits all’ paradigm that has prevailed for over a century.
... Two North American pianist-academics, Carol Leone (2003) and Christopher Donison (1998Donison ( , 2000, have commented on the significant benefits of reduced-size keyboards for their own playing. Both Leone and another academic, Lora Deahl (personal communication), have also commented on the experiences of their students. ...
For around 100 years, there has been a ‘one size fits all’ approach to the piano keyboard, despite the wide variation in hand sizes within the human population. Much of the literature relating hand size to piano playing is in the performing arts medicine field, identifying small hand size as one of the possible causes of pain and injury among pianists. Adopters of reduced-size keyboards, available since the mid-1990s, report relief from pain and tension, and other benefits, such as improvements in specific technical and musical skills, faster learning times, and greater comfort and security.
This paper includes a review of data on hand size in relation to piano keyboards, epidemiological and other literature relating to injury risk for small-handed pianists, and individuals’ accounts of how reduced-size keyboards have benefited their own playing. The authors conducted a questionnaire survey of North American adult pianists who play reduced-size keyboards. The aim was to explore the nature of the technical, musical and health benefits, focusing on their experiences with reduced-size compared with the standard keyboard. Finally, the paper summarises one of the author’s (Rhonda) initial reactions to playing on a 7/8 keyboard, and suggests further areas for research.
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