There’s no escaping from the fact that if you’ve got small hands you are at a disadvantage when it comes to playing the piano.
The Athena digital piano, by Narrow Keys, seeks to address this problem. This all-new instrument (released December 2024) is, the makers claim, the world’s first narrow-key digital keyboard.
The dimensions of a keyboard haven’t changed much over the centuries (find out more). And the 12 keys that make up an octave on a normal piano’s keyboard span just under 6.5in (165mm).
Hand Span
Men generally have a hand span of 8.4 to 9.4in, whilst for women it’s usually between 7.4 and 8.4in.
To calculate your own hand’s span, stretch your hand as wide as possible and measure from outside the thumb to outside your little finger.
A span of at least 8.5in is deemed the minimum hand size to comfortably play a comprehensive advanced repertoire using a standard 6.5in octave span keyboard. And this is considered the absolute minimum to be able to play a 10th. Concert pianists with hands around this size often say they have ‘small hands’! The ideal size is perhaps somewhat larger – 9 inches or more.
85% of women and 25% of men have hands that fail to meet this requirement. And we haven’t begun to discuss the size of a child’s hand!
There is clearly a demand for instruments fitted with smaller keyboards.
In some instances, smaller keyboards can be retrofitted to an acoustic instrument. Certain companies, including Hailun, Steingraeber, Charles R. Walter, Rubenstein, and Steinway, accept orders for new instruments fitted with such keyboards. And more recently some piano competitions will, on request, provide contestants with instruments equipped with a smaller keyboard. However, the piano world is undoubtedly dominated by the long-standing 6.5in octave-spanning keyboard.
Athena
Narrow Keys is a company specialising in and promoting the use of smaller keyboards. They have now released the Athena digital piano with an octave span of 5.5 inches. The length of the keys is unchanged.
Obviously, the keyboard itself is of prime importance with an instrument like Athena. Narrow Keys has incorporated an 88-note keyboard with a graded hammer action. This replicates the feel of an acoustic instrument by simulating the way the weight and resistance of the keys change from the bass to the treble notes. The response is derived from three separate sensors mounted under each key.
This portable instrument (weighing 27lb / 12.2kg) incorporates all the features you would expect from a high-end digital piano (see below). At the heart of the instrument is a sampled “German Grand Piano” sound, which captures the rich and resonant qualities of the European instrument, and there is a wide selection of other timbres and effects on offer.
Features At-A-Glance
Keyboard: 88 narrow keys (5.5) with graded hammer action
Display: Backlit LCD
Polyphony: 256 notes max.
Sounds/Voicing: 750 preset + 50 user
Style: 280 preset + 50 user + 50 expansion styles
Music Library: 140 songs, 50 albums
Amplification: 2x 23 watt
Speakers: 2x 16x7cm (oval), 2x 3 cm
Dimensions: 4ft 3in x 11.6in x 4.9in (1310mm x 294mm x 124mm)
Weight: 27lb (12.2kg)
Power: DC 12V.
Athena retails for $2,497.00. However Narrow Keys is offering a 30% discount on the first 460 units ordered making the price $1,747.90. This offer is only valid until January 9th 2025. Delivery is scheduled for Fall 2025 (latest), and a deposit of just $10 is required.
For more information please go to the Narrow Keys website.
Related WPN Article(s): The International Stretto Piano Festival
(“stretto” is the Italian word for “narrow”)
This is definitely future I hope.
Why does Yamaha industry leading and others stubbornly insist on still only offering ridiculous oversized (wide) 6.5 inch octave, even in their digital pianos 😂
They know this size only comfortable ergonomically fits/accommodate large guys and with average big hands (solid 10ths)
To play on a ‘right’ size keyboard one needs to easily grab 10ths for octaves and larger stretches to be comfortable.
10th indicates a very good hand/keyboard optimal compatibility.
I have been playing the piano for 68 years , and quite accomplished .
About 43 years ago , I had the mis-fortune of 3rd degree burns on both hands .
My left hand has a 8.8 inch span …. while my right hand was reduced to a 8 inch span , due
to a severe burn contracture .
Although there are some pieces that can no longer be played , I can still hold my own , as
long as I can reach the fequired note .
I can not imagine having to play on thin keys like this …. who thinks of stuff like this ?
Considering the cost of decent standard digital keyboards, your price is astronomical. I have a good quality one, bought years ago, that is fine for those who don’t want to become professional. Consider affordable keyboards as a way in tho selling high end keyboards.
This is most important for children under 11. The tricky part is market penetration, since the industry has catered to large hands. You have to get it at $800-$1000 or under and sell the longevity. My surprise is that this wasn’t established early on.
The cheaper alternative is technique emphasis to avoid problems. Or black box warning to those with small hands.
It’s a FAME digital piano, one of the makers of low end digital pianos. The price is not justified.