Design Preview Report on the Toy Piano

This project has already had many iterations and different plans. I thought I knew exactly what I wanted to do for my project, but my initial plan was not what I really wanted to make. After coming up with my final idea for a toy piano, I started thinking about another project that I would find more practical and useful at the moment. I started designing an entirely separate project of an instrument rack, which I am in desperate need of. I worked on multiple sketches and aesthetics, which proved that I was at least passionate about it. Unfortunately, I forgot that this project has to be dynamic, and I couldn’t figure out how to incorporate that into the instrument rack in a way that I would be happy with, so I ditched the project for now to focus on my dynamic piece..

(Image Credit: First State Antiques on eBay)

I started this project thinking I would make a toy piano with a vintage aesthetic, designing it based on old Schoenhut pianos. I planned to use an antique painting method with a dark turquoise color. However, like most projects, the base of this design can be easily adapted to any aesthetic. When we did the alternate aesthetics post, I realized that I enjoy the mid-century modern aesthetic a little more than the vintage style. I started questioning whether I should change the aesthetic and design of my project, which wouldn’t be too difficult at this stage. After briefly considering an entirely different project, an instrument rack, I returned to the toy piano idea. I then remembered an upright piano my family had when I was a kid and wondered if I could design it based on that.

(this is a photo of my dad as a teenager sitting at the piano)

I texted my mom and asked if she had any photos of that piano, and I learned that it had been in my family since my grandmother was a teenager. We sold the piano when I was a kid, but I remember it very well. Since this piano holds such a strong place in my memory, I think it makes sense to recreate it for this project.

As for the functionality of the piano, I’m still not sure how the key mechanism will work. The image above shows how a full-sized piano key functions, but I can’t use something this complicated due to the scale and the material I choose for the “strings,” which will likely be a metal rod of some sort. Instead, I will use a system similar to a xylophone, where pressing a key causes a “mallet” to strike a tuned piece of metal. This is the most challenging part of the project for me, so I will run some tests to find what feels best, functions well, and produces a good sound. I also plan to make a scale model of the piano casing to better understand the materials I will need.

This is a very rough outline of my work schedule. I expect to encounter many hurdles and delays, so I plan to start as soon as possible. I’m excited to begin working!