1. SMALL KEY MANUFACTURING INFORMATIONAL WEBSITES
For more information:
SMALL KEY MANUFACTURING
INFORMATIONAL WEBSITES
FACEBOOK GROUPS

2. Interested in trying one of these keyboards?
Visit for a list of schools, private piano teachers, and pianists who own a DS keyboard and will welcome you to visit and try it.

3. What has been happening since 2004?
Elaine Rusk may not be aware of it, but a lot has been going on.

4. Since 2004
David Steinbuhler has continued to make and sell DS Keyboards. There are now more than 100 DS standard keyboards in the world.

5. These 100+ DS keyboards can be found in:
Music schools
Studios of private music teachers
Private homes
In the USA, Canada, and Australia

6. 8 Universities in the US have obtained DS keyboards and use them for instruction and study.

7. University and College Music Schools with DS Keyboards
Southern Methodist Univ. (Dr. Carol Leone) DS6.0® and DS5.5®
University of Wisconsin-Madison (Dr. Jess Johnson) DS5.5®
University of North Texas: DS6.0®
Texas Tech University: DS5.5®
Salem College, Winston-Salem, NC: DS5.5®
Univ. of Nebraska-Lincoln: DS5.5®
St. Olaf College, Northfield, MN: DS5.5®
University of Central Oklahoma, Edmond, OK: DS6.0®

8. SMU Meadows School of Music Dallas, Texas
Dr. Carol Leone has used DS keyboards since Students use them for practice, performance and graduation recitals.

9. University of Wisconsin-Madison
Dr. Jess Johnson

10. The Dallas International Piano Competition offers DS 6. 0 and DS5
The Dallas International Piano Competition offers DS 6.0 and DS5.5 keyboards
In 2016 Anna Arazi earned third place playing on a DS6.0 size keyboard.
She had only one day to adjust to the DS6.0 size

11. PASK (Pianists for Alternatively Sized Keyboards) Formed to Promote DS Keyboard Standards
Encourage manufacture of acoustic and digital pianos in DS6.0® and DS5.5® sizes
Educate pianists about the benefits of narrower keyboards
Promote acceptance for study and exams

12. Small Keyboards for Jazz Pianists
DS Keyboards are not only for classically trained pianists. The DS5.5 and DS6.0 keyboard open the world to new voicings for jazz pianists.

13. Not Just About Octaves and Tenths Not Just for Advanced Classical Concert Pianists
The correct size keyboard for your hand improves:
Legato melodies
Control over dynamics (loud vs. soft)
General endurance at the keyboard
Pianos students at any level will see benefits.

14. Since 2004 we have been laying the groundwork to get DS keyboards accepted world-wide.
Now we must get narrower keyboards manufactured and available for sale to the public in piano stores around the world.

15. Sign the Petition
Today’s piano keyboard is too large for too many. Hands cannot be made larger, but piano keys can be made narrower. We call on the piano industry to do just that!
Give us the DS5.5 and DS6.0.

16. Who has signed our petition?
Will add high-profile names

17. Our Vision of the Future
Every pianist has access to a piano keyboard that fits that person’s hand:
Able to reach an octave
Able to play without undue fatigue, stress, and risk for injury
No pianists give up the piano out of pain, frustration, and inability to improve their skill.

18. Our Vision of the Future
All piano manufacturers (acoustic and digital) offer a range of keyboard sizes: DS5.5®, DS.6.0®, and DS6.5

19. Our Vision of the Future
Children begin piano lessons on a DS5.5 size digital piano—one with less than 88 keys and no bigger than a cello—inexpensive to purchase and small enough to transport easily.

20. Our Vision of the Future
Families acquire an acoustic piano when someone reaches a higher skill level: Size should be determined by various factors.

21. Buying a piano for your daughter
Buying a piano for your daughter? She is likely not going to need anything bigger than the DS5.5.

22. Our Vision of the Future
Buying a piano for your son? Consider the adults of the family and assume his adult size will be similar to the men of his family.

23. Our Vision of the Future
Men who have tried the DS6.0 often prefer it to the DS6.5. Unless the fingers have trouble fitting between the black keys, the DS6.5 gives no advantage.

24. Our vision of the future
Schools with more than one piano should have more than one keyboard size.

25. Our Vision of the Future
Public spaces may be best served by having a DS6.0 piano.

26. Our vision of the future
Performance venues with concert grand pianos can have interchangeable keyboards for the piano. It takes less than 5 minutes to swap between two keyboards for a grand piano!

27. Piano Manufacturers Offering Narrower Keyboards
Steinbuhler & Co.
Charles Walter Piano
Cunningham Piano

28. Notable Signers of Our Petition

29. Scholarly Articles

30. ♬ Carol Leone playing