The Piano’s Newest Relative

The piano undoubtedly has many advantages over other instruments: the possibility of thick harmonies, complex textures, and a wide range.  But it also has limitations, especially in terms of  tuning and inflection.  During a performance, it is impossible to play notes “in between the keys.” Pianists are not able to perform microtonal scales (typical of many non-Western genres and some contemporary composers), alternate tuning systems (common in Early music contexts), vibrato, portamento (sliding into a note), true glisses, same note trills, and the likes.  At least not until now…

Please welcome the fluid piano into the keyboard family. This new invention, the brainchild of Geoff Smith, allows performers to easily adjust the tuning of each pitch before or during a performance.  Every note has a tuning mechanism that can alter the pitch by up to a whole step. 

Being confronted with a new instrument like this can be intimidating for pianists who are suddenly faced with a new set of demands and musical possibilities.  But it also presents exciting new potential for composers and performers alike. 

The video below features the premier performance of this instrument, played by Pam Chowhan.

Here is a video about the fluid piano, featuring commentary by the inventor.

3 Responses to “The Piano’s Newest Relative”

1. carl tosten says:

   January 14, 2010 at 2:10 pm

   This is so amazing, I am a guitarist and I use a ton of alternate tunings for this very reason. It is amazing how rigid some can be and say this is cheating, I think it’s amazing, hope you come to the states with this. Carl Tosten
2. Jeff says:

   January 22, 2010 at 2:28 pm

   this is really cool, if it were popular i might have been a fluid pianist at a young age instead of saxophone. one of the biggest reasons i switched from piano was i felt that it was inflexible in comparison to the saxophones expressive range. now i feel the saxophone is inflexible in its ability to produce one note. There is Francois Louis double soprano saxophone, but as of now there is only on of them. I feel that it should be called a harpsichord not a piano based solely on the timbre of it.

   I would be even cooler if you could adjust the pitch by wiggling you finger on the key the way that i see some pianists do to create “vibrato”

   The only idea i have fro an update to the piano left now is natural and artificial harmonic pedals.
3. guitar world tabs says:

   March 14, 2010 at 11:15 pm

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