Re. The Toy Piano

Subject: Re. The Toy Piano
From: WalkaboutsVerse
Date: 13 Jan 11 - 05:29 AM

After - the other night at a poetry club - introducing the tune for "Walkabout with my Pen" (here) on tenor-recorder, then doubling the melody with a tiny "lap-top" Casio, I began thinking again about an acoustic alternative: the "toy piano" (mini-celesta, more like it).

Having only heard them on YouTube, I'm wondering if anyone here has tried playing one and, if so, how is the volume, etc., please?

Also, does anyone know of a retail outlet in (North East) England where I might try-before-I-buy a Shoenhut, e.g.?

Subject: RE: Re. The Toy Piano
From: s&r
Date: 13 Jan 11 - 08:49 AM

Some here

Stu

Subject: RE: Re. The Toy Piano
From: WalkaboutsVerse
Date: 13 Jan 11 - 09:37 AM

Or here's the 25-key Shoenhut that I'd like to try...somewhere?

Subject: RE: Re. The Toy Piano
From: GUEST,Grishka
Date: 13 Jan 11 - 11:41 AM

We should not fail to mention John Cage, the eminent composer for toy piano (See here for an example). You may find other works by this composer inspiring as well.

Subject: RE: Re. The Toy Piano
From: Jack Campin
Date: 13 Jan 11 - 01:15 PM

One feature of the toy piano that affected what Cage did with it: you can only play it very slowly. Its big brother, the dulcetone, isn't a whole lot more responsive - you aren't going to play Bach fugues on it. A cheap electronic keyboard from a pawnbrokers is a lot more flexible.

Subject: RE: Re. The Toy Piano
From: WalkaboutsVerse
Date: 13 Jan 11 - 01:27 PM

...here's the electronic keyboard mentioned atop, but I'd still like to try a toy piano.

Subject: RE: Re. The Toy Piano
From: WalkaboutsVerse
Date: 13 Jan 11 - 05:23 PM

Thanks for that, Grishka, I've put it on my YouTube favourites.