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Zoe Lim

Top 5 Most Unique Pianos


a futuristic purple and blue piano at china music 2020

When the piano was first invented, no one would imagine people taking them to the next level with their out-of-world, creative and whacky designs. While most of us are used to the regular 88-keys and 3-pedaled piano, others are playing pianos that look like they belong in a museum. Here are 5 of the most fascinating, creative and I might say - weirdest - piano designs around the globe.


1. The Kayserburg Celestial Harmony Spacewalk Piano



Looking like it's straight out of a sci-fi film, the Celestial Harmony Spacewalk Piano made its appearance at Music China 2020 which caught much attention. It measures at 8 ft and is a grand piano that was designed with cross-fading shades of blue and purple - which reminds us of space and celestial stars, hence its name. However, what makes it truly unique is that it has been named as the 'world's first 3D printed piano' , which perfectly fits the theme of being a 'futuristic' instrument.


2. Yamaha’s Key Between People


Yamaha piano installation

Yamaha's Key Between People first appeared at the Milano Salone 2008 exhibition which awed people with its idea of combining the instrument, performer and listener. It is a digital piano which requires a projector system that will project patterns and images depending on what is played on the keyboard. Therefore, making the combination of audio and visual patterns a wonderful and hypnotising experience for both the performer and listener.


3. PianoArc - The Circular Piano


Named as the "Brockettship", this circular piano was first made and designed for pop singer Lady Gaga and used by Brockett Parsons on the Lady Gaga Born This Way 2012-2013 and the 2013-2014 ArtPop tours.

Lady Gaga has been known for her unique taste in fashion, design and concepts. So it's not surprising to see this piano appear at her shows and tours. Yet, the physical and electronic design of the "Brockettship" still boggles our minds as to how this instrument is played.


4. The Photoplayer


The photoplayer is an automatic mechanical orchestra used by movie theatres to produce photoplay music to accompany silent films. Like a player piano, the photo player played music automatically by reading piano rolls. Common sound effects included gunshots, bells and drums, which were generated by pulling chains called "cow-tails".


5. Lady Gaga's Spider Piano


Another Lady Gaga piano has made it into this list of the most unique pianos. This piano measures at 10 feet high , and was inspired by Salvador Dali's Temptation of St Anthony. Royal Variety Performance, 2009. The American pop star wanted to descend to her key-board from theatre’s fly-tower on a suspended piano stool, wearing a red PVC outfit featuring a floor-length cloak together with an Elizabethan styled collar. She performed her track ‘Speechless’ for the prestigious event which was televised across the world from the Opera House in Blackpool, creating a global storm of media interest.


 

Zoe is an avid fan of all kinds of music. Her primary instrument is the guitar but she is always passionately learning how to play other instruments such as the drums and keyboard. She is currently playing the bass guitar in a band and has been routinely involved in music since she was a child.


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