piano
pedal-pusher
piano
pedal-pusher
the need
Musicians with lower extremity limitations are unable to utilize the floor pedals on standard upright or grand pianos. While electronic pianos and synthesizers give many people the flexibility and control they need to play keyboards, many individuals would still like to be able to control the sustain mechanism on an upright or grand piano. An appropriate device would allow pianists to pedal without interfering with head or body movements or the ability to sing.
accessible piano
developing a functional prototype
developing a functional prototype
the solution
An electric grand piano was made available by Yamaha to develop a prototype system. The high spring force resistance of the pedal was reduced by removing an internal piano spring. It was found that pedal movements tilt an actuator rod inside the piano that activates the sustain mechanism. The pedal interface was deemed unnecessary and removed.
A pneumatically operated actuator rod was developed to replace the pedal interface. An air bladder was threaded through a money belt worn around the waist. Abdominal muscle movement compresses the air bladder, which in turn pressurizes a simple plastic air bellows. The air bellows pushes a vertical connection rod upward inside the piano. This impacts the piano’s original sustain actuator rod and initiates the sustain mechanism.
current status
An exploded parts diagram is illustrated here to enable others to fabricate the piano pedal pusher from locally available parts and components. A “do it yourself” article was published in a RESNA Newsletter.
acknowledgements
This project was sponsored by Yamaha America, Inc. and Beneficial Designs, Inc.