WOW, there are and are sold pianos with narrower keys for small hands. I play the piano a bit, so the topic is close and clear to me. But my hands are not small, yet now I’m studying Chopin’s Nocturne in C# minor and I understand the pain 🙂 So, I learned that the modern “gold standard” for key width was established in the late 19th century under the pressure of large factories and exclusively for large male hands of European virtuoso pianists. It is believed that because of this, almost all female pianists suffer, plus a quarter of men, and it is physically uncomfortable for them to play complex repertoires, constantly risking chronic tendon injuries. It would seem, well… oops. What else can you say here.
However, as it turns out, there is a solution and it’s actively being sold — these are so-called Stretto pianos or instruments of the DS Standard with slightly reduced keys. These are two new sizes: DS6.0 (universal reduced) and DS5.5 (for very small hands).
Manufacturers have learned how to make interchangeable keyboard blocks, which can be installed into a regular piano in just 5 minutes. Interestingly, a pianist’s muscle memory adjusts to the new size in just half an hour. Honestly, I can’t imagine it. But the fact is – the International Stretto Piano Festival is already taking place worldwide, where they play only on narrow keys.
Such pianos are produced by many,
On the other hand, Martha Argerich, for instance, with her small hands does the impossible (she’s about to turn 85 and she survived fourth stage cancer in her youth; she’s a very cool lady)
Hi, I'm Rauf Aliev. 