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Fruits of Study
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The
Piano Sustain Pedal
Winford
Clark writes:
Most digital (i.e. electric) pianos or synthesizers can be used quite easily by players who can't activate the sustain pedal with their feet. All that is required is a mercury tilt switch worn on a headband, which is attached to a 1/4 inch phone plug at the other end of a 5 or 6 foot wire. This plugs into the existing sustain pedal jack on the back of the piano. The voltage is very low in this circuit, so there is no danger of electric shock. To activate the pedal circuit, you simply tip your head forward. Tipping the head back up releases the sustain. Depending on which brand of keyboard you own, you might have to turn the headband around to get the switch working in the right direction . It's possible to work up an acceptable pianistic pedal technique using this simple device. One advantage of using a headband switch is that you can sing while playing, if you're so inclined.
The tilt switch is a cheap device: just a drop of mercury sealed in a small glass tube, one end of which is fused around some wire strands. When the tube is tilted, the mercury runs to the end of the tube with the wires, switching on the circuit. Several adaptive aid companies sell mercury tilt switches.
Here's one:
http://specialchildren.about.com/gi/dynamic/offsite.htm?site=http://www.enablingdevices.com/
Look for product #990 - Tilt Switch - $25.95 (US)>>
Surf around to find one which has the 1/4 " phone plug already wired on: it will save you having to get a techie friend to solder one on for you.
Adapting a real acoustic piano for "pedally challenged" players is possible, but much more expensive.
I decided to do so, since the sound of a genuine acoustic piano is much more satisfying musically. One company which makes such an adapter is:
http://www.pianodisc.com/whatsnew/articles/adapter.html
You can use the mercury tilt switch to trigger this adapter. You'll need a savvy piano technician to install the set-up, so the whole venture will cost well over $1000 (US). I'd recommend trying the digital piano approach first. If you'd like to hear an example of what the result sounds like on an acoustic piano, try:
http://www.winfieldclark.com/01warrior.html
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