Product: Musical Instrument: Piano
44 key piano   (+7, -2)  [vote for, against]

Piano keys redesigned so that they are turned 45 degrees, so that they are diamond-shaped when viewed from the front, with ridges running along the center length. Instead of pressing downward, they can now press down-leftward and down-rightward, with each action activating a different hammer and therefore different note. Each key plays one of two notes, e.g. starting from the low end, downward-left plays an A while downward-right is Bb, then B/C, C#/D, and so on.

Obviously this creates a problem with being unable to play two half-step notes simultaneously but this is easily corrected by using a second 44 key piano when necessary.
-- tatterdemalion, Apr 21 2012

[ ] Nifty but requires tentacles or some other type of appendage which could do that without injury.
-- FlyingToaster, Apr 21 2012


Eighty eight fingers Louie approved.
-- 2 fries shy of a happy meal, Apr 21 2012


If the keys were dimpled or spooned on the top to give the fingertips some lateral traction it might work.
-- Alterother, Apr 21 2012


The dividing line would have to start right at the top and the left-right key movement almost totally unsprung: fingers don't do weighted lateral movement.
-- FlyingToaster, Apr 21 2012


Pressing downwards sounds both notes simultaneously?
-- pocmloc, Apr 21 2012



random, halfbakery