Schoenhut Toy Piano | Toy Piano Store | Toy Pianos

Many parents would love to see their child develop a fondness for music and learn to successfully play a musical instrument. One of the most popular and germane instruments a child can learn is the piano. Toy pianos are the perfect way to introduce a child to the look and feel of this classic musical device and have the benefit of easily transitioning to standard, adult-sized pianos as the child’s learning curve matures.

Toy pianos come in many different shapes, styles, and sizes but those that are formed and function most similarly to their larger counterparts are considered to be the most valuable and authentic. Many of these pianos look like diminutive versions of larger, standard, non-toy pianos and come with a matching bench. The number of keys varies, from just a few on simple models to more than half of the number of keys on a standard piano on other models. Notes may be generated via hammers and wires or steel rods or, on the most straightforward models, may simply be akin to the toll of small bells. Some models may need to be tuned manually, some perform regular auto-tuning, and other models never need adjusting because they never go out of tune.

What most toy pianos do have in common is that they are generally sold with an accompanying songbook filled with fun and familiar melodies that children love. The more sophisticated toy piano will also generally come with a finger strip that teaches kids where to place their fingers and which keys are which. Simpler models often have keys that are color-coded which is helpful in developing hand-eye-memory coordination in infants and small toddlers; finger strips do not necessary come with these types of pianos. More sophisticated models typically have full-sized black and white keys that are spaced in the same manner as those in standard pianos.

Toy pianos are available in the same styles as standard pianos such as grand pianos, baby grands, spinet pianos, and uprights. Some of these styles are further classified into varieties such as concert baby grand pianos or fancy spinet pianos. Because of this variation in style and appearance, the more stylish models can serve as elegant pieces of home décor or even furniture as well as functioning as a educational plaything for a tot.

The price tag on toy pianos varies as widely as the styles the pianos come in. Very simple, unrefined models may be quite cheap while the more classy and complex models may cost several hundred dollars. How much to spend depends on your child’s genuine or lack of interest, their skill level, how it may or may not complement the child’s room, and how much money you can afford to spend.

A toy piano is, in fact, a toy, and as such it can be a source of fun and entertainment for a child whether or not the youngster learns to appreciate and play music or not. But just because it is a toy does not mean that it cannot be enjoyed by adults. Some toy pianos are so well-crafted and made by manufacturers who have such excellent reputations that they may become a cherished collectible item to display in a house or office. People who enjoy collecting historic valuables may place a toy piano on a pretty corner tabletop and surround it with antique teddy bears, songbooks, or other musical instruments. Whether gifted to your child in hopes of sparking their musical interests or talents, or whether using it to give your home an air of antiquity and class, a toy piano will always be a smart investment.