PIANISTS FOR ALTERNATIVELY SIZED KEYBOARDS

A ‘small hand’ is defined as one with a thumb to fifth finger span of less than 8.5 inches (21.6 cm) and/or a second to fifth finger span of less than 6 inches (16.2 cm).

Boyle (2013) has supported a definition of a ‘small hand’ (in relation to playing the conventional keyboard) to be consistent with Farias et al. (2002) who defined a ‘small hand’ as one that could not reach a tenth. This benchmark also marks the ability to play octaves with ease, speed and comfort in all situations. It is assumed that a classical pianist may wish to be able to play across a wide range of repertoire, to the best of their musical ability. This would include works from the time of Beethoven and Schubert onward. Jazz pianists also like to be able to reach tenths.

Thinking about comfortable octave playing, a span of about 8.5 inches (21.6 cm) is desirable in order to:

• eliminate tension in fast, extended octave passages (such as in Chopin’s Butterfly Etude or Heroic Polonaise). This assessment is based on personal experience of a number of pianists who have experienced keyboards of different sizes and the work of Yoshimura and Chesky (2009) in particular. Tension in octave playing not only results in discomfort but limits speed and tone control, but has been found to increase the risk of injury. (See: Epidemiological and clinical studies).
• be able to play legato octaves (using 3rd and 4th fingers) as desired.
• minimise inward and outward movement when moving rapidly between black and white keys (such as in polonaises with dotted rhythms). Power is also reduced when the hand needs to come forward and flatten out to play white key octaves rather than being able to arch comfortably over the black keys.
• easily play ‘cross-over’ octaves – where the right hand crosses over into the bass or the left hand crosses over into the treble. An inadequate span means physical awkwardness and discomfort resulting in reduced tonal and rhythmic control as well as accuracy.
• shape the melody line of phrases (e.g. Brahms Intermezzi, Chopin Prelude no. 17) where the thumb is holding down the lower note in octaves and ninths.

The stretch between the other fingers is also very important. A span of 6.0 inches (16.2 cm) between the second and fifth fingers is a minimum requirement to play comfortable sixths. This span is probably conservative for what is needed to play double sixths with ease. To play sevenths of any type with any degree of comfort, a 2-5 span of at least 6.5 inches is needed. Further research is needed on the second to fifth finger span, and between other fingers, in relation to piano repertoire.

Evidence supporting this definition comes from studies of pain and injury, performance quality and biomechanics, plus the experiences of pianists trying keyboards of different sizes.  (See Feedback from pianists and also trials by Steinbuhler on different keyboards – refer to the shaded keyboard ‘zones’ in his chart showing hand span data  here: Earlier hand span studies.)