5 Things You Might Not Know About the Ergonomically Scaled Piano Keyboard

2. You can adapt, just close your eyes! 

An effective strategy to adjust and build muscle memory on the ESPK is playing with eyes closed. Stephen Hough, in his insights on piano playing, explained that when one sense is removed, the other senses become more attuned and compensatory. By focusing on practicing on the ESPK while relying entirely on tactile and auditory feedback, a new memory of the distances between the keys will be developed.

3. The feeling of ease is transferable to the standard keyboard.

Once you learn to play octave passages on an ESPK, the perception of reduced stretch can transfer  to a conventional keyboard. Pianists often experience a recalibration of their spatial awareness; playing octaves on an ESPK allows them to internalize a more relaxed hand position, reducing  unnecessary tension. When returning to a standard-sized keyboard, this improved sense of  efficiency can enhance control and ease, even if the physical demands are greater. This transferability suggests that practicing on an ESPK can be a valuable tool for developing a more  ergonomic and adaptable technique overall.

4. Omitting notes is okay!

For small-handed pianists, omitting certain notes in a chord or passage can be an effective strategy without affecting the integrity of the music. If a note is already being played in a different octave or is part of the harmonic series, its omission is unlikely to be perceived and does not compromise the harmonic structure. In many cases, omitting such notes can even enhance playability and musicality, allowing the pianist to focus on the more essential notes of the passage and produce a cleaner, more comfortable performance. This approach is a practical solution that respects both the technical  limitations of the pianist and the musical demands of the piece.

5. Achieving legato in octaves is easy!

For small-handed pianists, achieving legato in octave passages can be a challenge. However, playing on an ESPK offers a new level of ease, enabling them to alternate fingerings like 1-4 and 1-5 without excessive movement or shifting. Since they no longer need to play at the edge of the keys to reach octaves, they can maintain a more natural hand position, resulting in greater efficiency and comfort in achieving legato.