Plans & Inspirations: Toy Piano

I have a clear idea of what I want to create for my main project. I write and produce music, so I have a solid collection of instruments, but some of my favorites are actually just kids’ toys or cheaply made semi-instruments. About 10 years ago, Jimmy Fallon introduced a segment on The Tonight Show called Classroom Instruments. In it, he and The Roots reimagine popular songs and perform them live with the original artist, using only toy instruments. This style is really unique, but I love how it sounds. Watching these videos as a kid inspired me to buy some cheap classroom instruments of my own just to see what I could do with them. I now have a cheap xylophone, a kalimba, an ocarina, a flute, a recorder, a pan flute, kazoos, and multiple ukuleles. No matter what kind of music you make with these instruments, it always sounds fun and bright. Any time I see a cheap “toy” instrument, I seriously consider getting it.

Here’s Call Me Maybe with Carly Rae Jepsen on Classroom Instruments:

(Credit: The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon on YouTube)

While I already own many of these kinds of instruments, for my main project, I want to make my own toy piano. There are some more digital versions of Classroom Instruments that use motion sensors and digital interfaces, like their cover of No Tears Left to Cry by Ariana Grande, but I much prefer the analog versions that produce pure physical sound rather than relying on MIDI controllers or touch sensors.

I’m inspired by these toy pianos by Melissa & Doug:

(Credit: Melissa & Doug)

I’m also inspired by these really old toy pianos by Schoenhut:

(Credit: “Antique Schoenhut Piano Child’s Doll Toy Piano Cherub LATE 1800’S” by First State Antiques on eBay)

(Credit: “Vintage Schoenhut toy piano 30 Keys” by navragar on eBay)

My personal aesthetic is a messy, vintage, neutral, maximalist style. I’ve only recently started decorating my own living space beyond just my bedroom, so I want to establish an aesthetic before I start buying too many things. I want this project to look good in my space and match the other pieces I already own. My aesthetic leans heavily on the Arts and Crafts movement of the 20th century. I especially like the idea of visible construction. I recently made a shelf out of my grandparents’ old wooden ladder. It’s splattered with paint from all their projects since they moved into their first home together. I didn’t paint over it or try to hide the aging. I simply placed panels of wood between the rungs of the ladder, making it clear that I built it. I want this project to reflect that same aesthetic since I’ll be making it myself, and I want that craftsmanship to be visible.

(Credit: Random13 on Pinterest)

As I started researching how to approach this project, I came across Adam Savage from MythBusters, who repaired an old Schoenhut piano like the ones above. Adam Savage is one of my biggest inspirations when it comes to physical projects. Even the aesthetic of his messy shop is inspiring to me. He was able to deconstruct the piano and repair each piece individually. He made new keys and cleaned the metal “strings.” Through this process, I was able to see how a toy piano essentially functions like a giant music box. That got me thinking about how I could construct a similar music box system myself. I realized I could probably build one fairly easily, but I also started wondering if I could design something with a better sound. I may alter the sound-producing method as I begin construction.

(Credit: “Adam Savage’s One Day Builds: Miniature Piano!” on Adam Savage’s Tested on YouTube)

I’m really excited to start this project because it’s something I genuinely want to make. I will be able to test and practice my woodworking skills as well as my ability to build instruments. I have made my own stringed instruments before, but a piano presents a very different challenge. I will also get to work with materials I don’t usually use, like metal, and practice tuning an instrument like this. There are a lot of logistics to work out, but I’m excited to start designing.