I would have thought it would be the other way around as Asian people generally are shorter in height and have smaller hands. I can only speculate that they make pianos for export assuming it will suit western people.
Key length also depends on the size of the piano. The larger the piano the longer its keys, with concert grands having the longest. Why? Because it allows for more articulation and travel within the action.
According to chatGPT (4o) … The differences in the dimensions of Asian and American pianos and their benches are rooted in ergonomics and cultural preferences, influenced by variations in average physical stature and playing styles between regions. 1. Asian Pianos Being Slightly Higher • Average Height Difference: Historically, many Asian pianists tend to have slightly shorter torsos compared to their Western counterparts, leading manufacturers to design pianos with slightly higher keyboards to improve ergonomics. • Postural Adaptation: A higher piano allows players to achieve a more natural arm and wrist position, reducing strain and improving technique for smaller statures. • Standardization: Asian piano manufacturers, such as Yamaha and Kawai, often design their instruments based on regional norms, but their pianos are exported globally, retaining these subtle height differences. 2. Asian Piano Benches Being Slightly Lower • Ergonomic Adjustment: A lower bench complements the higher piano, ensuring the pianist’s arms and hands are at an optimal angle relative to the keyboard. This setup helps avoid excessive shoulder elevation. • Cultural Playing Styles: Traditional Asian teaching methods often emphasize relaxed arm positioning and posture. A slightly lower bench can facilitate this by allowing the player to use the weight of their arms for dynamic control. 3. Comparison to American Designs • American Standards: Pianos and benches made for Western markets are often based on averages that reflect the slightly taller stature and longer limbs typical in Western populations. • Bench Variability: American piano benches are often adjustable, but fixed benches tend to be higher, matching the lower height of American piano keyboards. Summary The differences in piano and bench design reflect efforts to accommodate the ergonomic needs of different populations. Asian pianos and benches aim to align with the physical characteristics and playing styles prevalent in their regions, while American designs cater to Western norms. These variations, though subtle, highlight how cultural and physiological factors influence instrument design.
You may know Robert’s Pianos on TH-cam based in the UK. He measures every aspect of a piano when it comes in. This includes pedal height and legroom. I had never heard of a piano tech measuring leg room before him but it Varys from piano to piano.
lol! Doesn’t make sense to me, either! My teacher told me I needed to lower my keyboard b/c I needed to have my hands match the keys. I am Asian, too and I lowered the keyboard stand and it’s still a little too tall for me. Lol!
ALWAYS Had a hard time playing my teachers Mason and Hamlin because of the low key bed. I’m average height, 5‘11 and yet have plenty of room with my Kawaii K 500
As an adult beginning student, I must have wider fingers than average. It is difficult to play a white key between two blacks (e.g., D) without depressing all three. This calls for some finger gymnastics. My teachers say they have never encountered this problem and don't have a ready solution. Is key width standard among manufacturers?
I understand it is not standard, and I have the same problem. I’m told to rotate my fingers a bit when necessary. But when there’s more space between the black keys, then the black keys are thinner and possibly more difficult for a newbie like me to hit them comfortably.
I’ve also read that while most keys are perfectly horizontal at rest and angled down when pressed, apparently some pianos are the opposite. Anybody see keys angled up at rest, and flat only when pressed?
I would have thought it would be the other way around as Asian people generally are shorter in height and have smaller hands. I can only speculate that they make pianos for export assuming it will suit western people.
Key length also depends on the size of the piano. The larger the piano the longer its keys, with concert grands having the longest. Why? Because it allows for more articulation and travel within the action.
According to chatGPT (4o) …
The differences in the dimensions of Asian and American pianos and their benches are rooted in ergonomics and cultural preferences, influenced by variations in average physical stature and playing styles between regions.
1. Asian Pianos Being Slightly Higher
• Average Height Difference: Historically, many Asian pianists tend to have slightly shorter torsos compared to their Western counterparts, leading manufacturers to design pianos with slightly higher keyboards to improve ergonomics.
• Postural Adaptation: A higher piano allows players to achieve a more natural arm and wrist position, reducing strain and improving technique for smaller statures.
• Standardization: Asian piano manufacturers, such as Yamaha and Kawai, often design their instruments based on regional norms, but their pianos are exported globally, retaining these subtle height differences.
2. Asian Piano Benches Being Slightly Lower
• Ergonomic Adjustment: A lower bench complements the higher piano, ensuring the pianist’s arms and hands are at an optimal angle relative to the keyboard. This setup helps avoid excessive shoulder elevation.
• Cultural Playing Styles: Traditional Asian teaching methods often emphasize relaxed arm positioning and posture. A slightly lower bench can facilitate this by allowing the player to use the weight of their arms for dynamic control.
3. Comparison to American Designs
• American Standards: Pianos and benches made for Western markets are often based on averages that reflect the slightly taller stature and longer limbs typical in Western populations.
• Bench Variability: American piano benches are often adjustable, but fixed benches tend to be higher, matching the lower height of American piano keyboards.
Summary
The differences in piano and bench design reflect efforts to accommodate the ergonomic needs of different populations. Asian pianos and benches aim to align with the physical characteristics and playing styles prevalent in their regions, while American designs cater to Western norms. These variations, though subtle, highlight how cultural and physiological factors influence instrument design.
AI couldn't have done a better job!
Fascinating! Now would you please explain why piano keys are called keys when they act to push up a hammer?!
You may know Robert’s Pianos on TH-cam based in the UK. He measures every aspect of a piano when it comes in. This includes pedal height and legroom. I had never heard of a piano tech measuring leg room before him but it Varys from piano to piano.
lol! Doesn’t make sense to me, either! My teacher told me I needed to lower my keyboard b/c I needed to have my hands match the keys. I am Asian, too and I lowered the keyboard stand and it’s still a little too tall for me. Lol!
ALWAYS Had a hard time playing my teachers Mason and Hamlin because of the low key bed.
I’m average height, 5‘11 and yet have plenty of room with my Kawaii K 500
My piano is from the early 1880s but the keys are wider.
As an adult beginning student, I must have wider fingers than average. It is difficult to play a white key between two blacks (e.g., D) without depressing all three. This calls for some finger gymnastics. My teachers say they have never encountered this problem and don't have a ready solution. Is key width standard among manufacturers?
I understand it is not standard, and I have the same problem. I’m told to rotate my fingers a bit when necessary. But when there’s more space between the black keys, then the black keys are thinner and possibly more difficult for a newbie like me to hit them comfortably.
I’ve also read that while most keys are perfectly horizontal at rest and angled down when pressed, apparently some pianos are the opposite. Anybody see keys angled up at rest, and flat only when pressed?
Things seem to be going in opposite directions here .
I wonder if it is for nothing more then to be a little different from the originals.
Maybe some Asian ppl have shorter legs and taller torsos. 😅