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