I am looking for a piano which you can carry with you when you travel.
All that is needed is a fold out piece of plastic which can be
unrolled and perhaps connected to a computer (and speakers). It would
need to be several octaves (at least four) like a piano not just one
or two – that would be useless. I would not expect it to have keys
that move – they would probably be touch sensitive but at least I
could  take it with me when I travel. I admit I have only ever seen
one of these played by Captain Picard on the Next Generation but that
was at least 10-15 years ago now and it would be such a simple thing
to make that I can’t believe nobody has done it. Have they? And if so
where can I get my hands on one?

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Clarification of Question by drydoc-ga on 05 Dec 2002 05:49 PST

I work at sea and would like to put a piano in my suitcase without
going over my luggage allowance. I already carry a laptop with me with
speakers so expect that would be the best way of delivering the sound
but would equally go for an all in one unit. I want to keep practicing
when there is no piano nearby!

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Request for Question Clarification by vinods-ga on 05 Dec 2002 14:09 PST

Hi, 

The way I see it, you need a MIDI compatible device, basically a
trigger in th ephysical form of a keyboard in order to simulate
atleast some of the very basic conditions of keyboard-playing.
However, back-pressuse, etc., that you may be able to experience with
a real piano are available in only more advanced models.
All of this may not be applicable to you, since you want something
that is literally, 'foldable'! Given keyboards, that is a tall order
as of now...

However, if you do want to keep in touch with the keyboard at some
basic physical/musical level, like maintaing motor functions that
define movement, etc., I can suggest to you MIDI trigger keyboards
have actual-size keys, that may be of size, but not of so much weight.
If you are okay to compromise on the size, there are possibilities of
trigger keyboards that weigh much lesser than actual fully-equipped
keyboards. The difference stems in being able to 'play' sounds from
the keyboard itself along with many other functoins including
sequencing, etc., as against using a computer to do the job.

As a guitar-player, I do feel the need for such a device as you want,
but the only thing that comes close to it is a 'travel guitar'
small-bodied, small neck instrument. Since I don't own one of these
small thingies, I still carry my full-size classical guitar around
India, whenever I travel!

warm regards
vinods-ga

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Clarification of Question by drydoc-ga on 27 Dec 2002 05:51 PST

Thanks for your efforts haversian and vinods -I appreciate it. Looks
like I am out of luck. Maybe that travel guitar is the thing. I
recently purchased an excellent CD Rom on guitar lessons (why does
anybody now pay for the real thing?)and brought a guitar with me to a
ship but I am a keyboard man at heart.
Happy New Year.
Jules-ga

The technology you refer to exists - pressure sensitive fabrics are
being used to make (non-Piano) keyboards already.  That said, I
suspect the niche nature of the market is keeping anyone from
investing in the design and manufacturing of such a device.

Could you be more specific as to what you are trying to accomplish so
we might suggest alternatives that might satisfy you?  This is of
course assuming the product you mention does not in fact exist.

drydoc...

Such technology certainly exists, as in this
larger version of a plastic mat keyboard 
which is played by standing/walking/dancing
on it, available exclusively from the 
FAO Schwarz specialty toy store in New York:
http://www.fao.com/images/products/55300565c.jpg

Sadly, I have not been able to find a smaller
version. My heart goes out to you, since I 
also started my musical path with the piano,
and only when I went into the Navy did I have
to give it up temporarily. That's when I, too,
opted to take up the guitar in its stead. I
don't regret having done so, but the guitar
is a very different medium, and I lost a lot
of skills, rather than growing, when I was unable
to practice on the keyboard. I did get quite
good on the guitar, however!

Best of luck to you...
sublime1-ga

Okay.. Here's an answer for you. The link will show you a folding
keyboard manufactured by DSI toys.  Granted, it's a toy, but may be
usable.  2 1/2 octaves doesn't add up to much but ... might be fun :)
http://amazon-product.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B0000649EC

Looks like it may be hard to find at this point.

Color me impressed, castewar. Good job!