Wood Keyboard - Building It

I find it interesting how many can watch this video and miss the point. This is about making a keyboard from scratch, not building a musical instrument like a piano, organ or synthesizer. First you learn how to make the keyboard (and also learn what not to do) … then you can use it to build something else. Also, please review comments already left before leaving yours, so as not to clutter the comment section with a long line of repetition. Thank you for watching, I appreciate it!
Making a practice keyboard or practice making a keyboard. Fabricated along similar lines of a full size keyboard made by Matthias Wandel for his homemade organ. First, I just wanted to see if I could make one. Second, I intended to use it as a movie prop (not yet utilized). Fun build.

[@LordQueezle]

Very impressive! And I love how it looks. I'm just a little sad it doesn't play notes though... :P

[@pabloysusaferrados]

Lord Queezle. my thoughts exactly

[@xerospacious4024]

Benny the amount of time and tools this would take just buy a cheap keyboard xD

[@---zu9qy]

i think this is used for demonstration purposes like to teach not to play it

[@BereniceGarcia-kg5ev]

Lord Queezle I know right! I really wanted it to play notes. But really, what do we expect from a tiny wooden keyboard? It looks amazing and the guy did a great job.

[@Strikeachord]

I play classical piano! It would mean a lot to me if you watched my video of me playing a Mozart concerto and supported my channel. I am a twelve year old boy with a love for music. kzbin.info/www/bejne/lZKYlGubhcpreq8

[@Opaqu.e]

Hook the underside of each key up to an electronic output and you've got yourself a midi keyboard!

[@MRrwmac]

This build is gonna go on my "awesome" list. Excellent innovativeness to get it all jiged up for cutting and then the little mods to keep it working smoothly! Thanks for sharing

[@MichaelBLevi]

This was very well documented. Thanks for being so thorough. I'd love to have a 25 or 37 key wooden MIDI controller.

[@Sparess]

THAT FOAM WAS SO SATISFYING...

[@unused3420]

It looks so good! Many ppl saying it should play music, I didnt expect it to... It's nice, for decoration, or for a kids toy maybe. I think you did so well and should be so proud! :)

[@PaulPomeroy]

A wonderful exercise in woodworking! Thank you for posting the video. Buried way down in the comments is someone's observation that on a real keyboard the black keys are not actually aligned evenly between the white keys as most people think (I was playing piano for years before I noticed this). The only black key situated right between two white keys is the G# (the middle one of the group of three) and the only white key evenly aligned between two black keys is the D. As for the other black keys, it's best perhaps to look at the keyboard as having two groups of black keys per octave (a group of two and a group of three). The OUTSIDE keys in both these groups are moved away from the center of the group (essentially, this is done to space out the black keys, making them easier to play). As the group of two only has "outside" keys, the first one (C#, on the left) is moved left so it cuts more into the C than the D and the second one (D#, on the right) cuts more into the E. A similar "move away from the center of the group" applies to the F# and A# keys. Worth noting, the C# and D# keys actually have more space between them than the F# and G# (or G# and A#).

[@johnwynne-qx6br]

Outstanding workmanship, looks great, thankyou for sharing.

[@RonaldWalters2010]

Glad you enjoyed it. If you are interested... I used this build experience to make the working keyboard in my Mini Calliope. There is a playlist with the complete video series. kzbin.info/aero/PLDjucfhdTRPmoT7SEgoAU1eSfYaBUD2rI&si=eoy66IqkX4Bov39q Thanks for watching. Please subscribe! That is what keeps this channel running. Ron

[@rickt7826]

Been contemplating building a clavichord for which I've been unable to find any useful plans (big surprise). After watching your video it's clear that it's a much bigger effort than I thought and I didn't think I had underestimated it to begin with. I appreciate your attention to detail as for something like this craftsmanship is extremely important.

[@RonaldWalters2010]

+Rick T I was not sure what a clavichord was until doing a google search. It would be an ambitious project. I see kits are available from the UK and Spain and that may be a good way to go as they would be familiar with the best wood to use for the various parts. I don't play anything but have been tempted several times to build a hurdy-gurdy kit. Good luck and thanks for watching. Please subscribe. Ron

[@RonaldWalters2010]

+Rick T I don’t know if you have your heart set on an old style piano type instrument or if just an old type instrument would be of interest? I have a good video series on making the John Smith Senior 20 Street Organ. Not an easy project but very doable and it will immediately attract attention and put a smile on anyone who hears it play. Plans are available from John Smith. He has much larger and more complicated organs but I strongly recommend building the Senior 20 first. And it plays itself! :-)

[@rickt7826]

Ronald Walters Hi Ron, thanks for the follow up. I did actually run across that organ in my research. The organ is something to think about. I've been a woodworker for a while but only took up piano after I retired and I thought why not try and combine the two hobbies? Not sure my skill level is up to it though!

[@RonaldWalters2010]

+Rick T Then I doubt you would have any problem building the Organ. A option for the Senior 20 is an animated conductor which slides out the front and I am in the process of making a resin casting kit for that conductor. I released the first video in the series on the conductor last Saturday.

[@Astroisbad]

so when you tryna practice at night but dont want to disturb you family 😂😂

[@youtubepasserby8339]

OMG YASSS 😂😂😂. Or when the piano too big and you can't carry it to your room

[@chaejuru2129]

Or you're trying to practice on the bus or wherever.

[@ayybeff5249]

Isn't a piano already made out of wood? Just painted?

[@RonaldWalters2010]

Wood and a much more complicated construction.

[@tiffanymarlow2399]

Sepri787 yes...

[@xerospacious4024]

Stonewall unless you're a piano maker. Then it's probably worth it. Also harp sounds nowhere similar.

[@ryanbaudisch9068]

Sepri787 older pianos are made out of ivory but since that's illegal now it's either plastic or wood

[@Kaleb-Mayhew]

Ryan Baudisch only the white keys were ivory.

[@laurenl1358]

Very impressive! Love the finish

[@SteveFrenchWoodNStuff]

Well done. It looks great and the action looks smooth.

[@mynamesjeffhardly]

thank you. videos like these makes me respect carpentry and musical instruments even more.

[@blaqcaesar9267]

This was truly a work a craftsmanship and brilliance. Bravo!!!

[@RonaldWalters2010]

Thank you. Your comment is much appreciated! The knowledge gained in building this was used to build the functioning wood keyboard in my Mini Calliope project. There is a playlist for the entire video series. Please subscribe. That is what keeps this channel running. Ron

[@jasminmuller3115]

I was so excited to hear how it sounds like. But it is a really beautiful one. Nice job

[@Justin_9423]

This would've been beyond helpfully when I was a kid. I didn't have access to a piano often, only for about a week every summer vacation when we would go down and visit my grandparents in Arkansas(I'm from California) so I used to draw piano keys on paper and tape them together to "practice" what my grandma would teach me when I would go home. Having actual keys to get the fingerings for the chords right would've tremendously lessened the time it took me to actually learn. This is really amazing

[@vbertrand]

Such beautiful work!

[@johntenhundfeld1529]

Great video and as usual very very careful and precise work. Thanks for the posting.

[@arenotdiy7280]

I want to live in your shop :) The keyboard I'm constructing on my workbench/cat feeding station pales in comparison! Great build!

[@RonaldWalters2010]

Thank you. I appreciate the comment! I improved on this keyboard when I made my Mini Calliope, for which I have a playlist of all the related videos. Thanks for watching. Please subscribe. That's what keeps this channel going! Ron

[@TheChipmunk2008]

Love the lateral thinking using a piece of heatshrink as an expansion spring.

[@marlawhite3682]

beautiful work!!! another great job done!!!

[@ronaldlong8986]

Him: builds wooden piano by hand VS Me: buys wooden piano on Amazon and say I built it myself

[@DJFiBa]

the wood finish in the end is beautiful, as the keybord itself! thx 4 sharing!!! :)

[@Tomlima23]

I loved this project so much, as a multi instrumentalist musician, and as a hobbyist carpenter, I will certainly try to make a musical keyboard of this only for me soon.. tanks

[@RonaldWalters2010]

Last year I started making a mini calliope which was a previous Popular Mechanics project years ago. I'm making several changes to the original plans. I have made a keyboard for the calliope and the keys are pinned to prevent sideways movement and each key has a felt washer to make their operation quiet. Hopefully these videos will be released sometime late this year. Thanks for watching! Please Subscribe.

[@elrickking9293]

I found a broken piano, it works fine but the case is broken and ugly, this idea and design makes me want to rebuild it with wood, thank you very much for the design and the ideas!

[@RonaldWalters2010]

Glad you enjoyed it. If you are interested... I used this build experience to make the working keyboard in my Mini Calliope. There is a playlist with the complete video series. That is what keeps this channel running. Ronkzbin.info/aero/PLDjucfhdTRPmoT7SEgoAU1eSfYaBUD2rI&si=eoy66IqkX4Bov39q Thanks for watching. Please subscribe! That is what keeps this channel running. Ron

[@elrickking9293]

@@RonaldWalters2010 I'll check them out, thank you

[@snookerbg]

what a nice craftsmanship display!

[@RonaldWalters2010]

Thank you! Very much appreciated.

[@kansasboy011]

As my Grandmother used to say, "You have the patience of the Saints". Beautiful job!

[@P.E.R.fishingadventures]

That is amazing.you gotta respect a real woodworker.very cool

[@MikeHardwood]

This is very well done! Great job :)

[@pianotime7968]

Beautiful work

[@RonaldWalters2010]

Thank you! I have a working one in my Mini Calliope.

[@levisacher8578]

This is Ron Swanson, right?

[@Deadaccount741]

Levi Sacher that's what I thought!

[@karissasegoviano1666]

Levi Sacher I WAS LOOKING FOR THIS COMMENT YES YES YES

[@moonrat1955]

Levi Sacher I was about to comment something about that.... lol

[@STEVEBLACKA]

Fantastic skills Ronald , thanks . Steve

[@gregaltenhofel7326]

Very nice work. And a perfect piano for my skill level.

[@surinderdhiman]

Amazing Sir, you are magical.

[@SubliminalSoundEngine9]

You're just freaking making me want to create a Homemade Clavichord.

[@tomekseeker8379]

Amazing, build more plz :D

[@RonaldWalters2010]

The knowledge gained in building this was used to build the functioning wood keyboard in my Mini Calliope project for which there is a playlist for the entire video series. Thanks for watching Please subscribe. That is what keeps this channel running. Ron

[@luizaugustoprado1358]

Wonderful job!

[@larzsalas1028]

That looks beautiful

[@renbooth4147]

Very neat work!!

[@mikeemswiler4541]

Super Cool

[@rchopp]

Very nice

[@ArashAhmadiGuitar]

Awesome work!

[@locutorest]

What a cool video!

[@dreyaih1238]

Woodgrain keyboards when? Like...typing keyboards :E I'm actually liking that idea

[@rixku3358]

👏nice job

[@carlosmunoz-sc9kg]

(Sorry, I don't speak english) Congratulations. Nice job. Many piano players used it as practice keyboards in special circumstances. Mozart was one of them. Until now, there are some piano players that use this so named "dry keyboards" when travelling, to preserve their technique abilities with their daily excersises. Why not using a digital piano for the same purpose? Because the dry keyboard allow them to regulate the weight of the keys in a better way with a wider range of weights.

[@RonaldWalters2010]

I used a somewhat improved technique to make the keyboard for my mini-calliope. You may be interested in the video series. kzbin.info/aero/PLDjucfhdTRPmoT7SEgoAU1eSfYaBUD2rI Thanks for watching!

[@carlosmunoz-sc9kg]

@@RonaldWalters2010 Thank You, very much. I'll see that.

[@Linksimpson]

Wow very impressive channel, thank you for sharing!

[@БхануАршавин]

WONDERFUL VIDEO

[@Zeisslermusic]

I like that piano board

[@mikew1956]

Nice video.

[@ItSeemsDark]

very nice work!!

[@cjval8969]

This seems like a fun project to do with your family or something!

[@TheWindGinProject]

Nice Work!

[@satanbane]

Very nice work. Indeed, as others have said, seems like you might as well add some electronics and make it play notes, when desired. You could, e.g., use opto-interruptors or just magnets and reed switches, if you didn't want to affect the feel and sound. Or just use physical microswitches, might give a pleasantly tactile response. Then use Arduino or whatever to turn it into MIDI-USB, and into something like Fluidsynth or Hauptwerk on a PC. Pipe organ or harpsichord sounds at the ready. I'm sure you could get it to work with a phone or tablet, as well, for a nifty travel rig. (But maybe you don't want/need any of that.) Anyway, looks very good.

[@RonaldWalters2010]

And as mentioned in the comments... Watch my video series on building my version of the Dec 1982 Popular Mechanics project. I improved the keyboard and use electro-mechanical input. You can play the mini-calliope from the keyboard or it will play midi files. There is a playlist for this series on my channel page. Thanks for watching. Ron

[@therestorationofdrwho1865]

I could hear the spring noise on the keys :)

[@glennojordan]

That is awesome😀

[@jakethepianogeek1734]

You have so much patience omg

[@phisitja01]

thank you very much

[@litoboy5]

AMAZING !!!

[@jonhwalsh4900]

COOL !

[@Erin_Pisces]

you intrigues me to make the 88 keys version of yours.

[@Shedleyo]

if only this were midi.

[@lastwymsi]

Hm... you could create a basic hammer mech, and make a wood xylophone for the piano harp. Then you could have an all wood piano with the sound being wood create

[@youtubepasserby8339]

so true

[@jimbo2629]

Draw the keyboard. Drill the holes for the balance pins and the tail guides through to the frame with the board clamped to the frame. The front of the accidentals should be less than 90 degrees. The undercut of the naturals is excessive. Better to balance with lead near the tail. Longer tails required. Cut out with a band saw and fret saw. Your balance system will produce rattle. Accidentals should be wider in the twos than the threes. The outer accidentals are wider than you have put them .Springs to enable return are not needed if you balance with lead. Felt on the frame at the front and rear and on the top of the key tails. Best to read “Three centuries of harpsichord making “ for a full account of what to do. I expect you have moved on since 8 years ago😀

[@RonaldWalters2010]

Look around and you will find the updated version used in my conversion of the Mini-Calliope to play midi files. The Mini-Calliope was originally published in Dec 1982 Popular Mechanics. I have a playlist for the complete project. Mini Calliope Part 2 - Keyboard & Rockers kzbin.info/www/bejne/fKXafoZvqJWCpq8 Mini-Calliope Part 7 - Keyboard & Rockers kzbin.info/www/bejne/i4bago18o8SCgpY What works so much better on KZbin is action rather than words and criticism. We would love to see your expertise so please show us something you have made and how you made it. Thanks for watching. Please subscribe! That is what keeps this channel going. Ron

[@bunkyt7454]

Absolutely stunning, is it possible to buy. I'm willing to pay any price and my wife

[@lentzdadjentlaman1348]

satisfying

[@ArtificialSoul]

Very awesome video. And very inspiring to do it yourself. Though I realise it's time-consuming and a lot of precision work and equipments like a table saw seem essential. I wonder. If you can manage this, can't you transform it to a MIDI-controller keyboard?

[@RonaldWalters2010]

Something like this is probably more suited to pulling on cords (wires) or pushing on rods to operate pneumatic valves in a smaller pneumatic organ where the pipes & wind chest are in the immediate vicinity of the keyboard. In larger organs the keys were made to operate electrical contacts which were wired to remote electric-pneumatic relays which in turn operated the organ pipes. Keeping in mind this is not a full size keyboard (approx 3/5 size) it involves a lot of work and was an experiment. These keys could be made to operate some form of electrical contacts or micro switch. Fine tuning the exact point of contact and release would be another issue. It would be a lot easier to purchase a modern day plastic midi-controller keyboard. :-) Thank for watching!.

[@mpmansell]

It might be more sensible to use reed switches, or hall effect switches and glue magnets to the keys to activate them. That way, a micro controller could convert the movement to midi and support velocity and possibly after touch. Were I to do that I'd also consider making the hidden part of the key longer and weighted, then use only a light piece of elastic to pull the keys back, instead of a spring. Beautiful build, even as an ornament, however :)

[@andersonvideomaker]

Obra de arte...!!! :-D

[@infinityac]

if you remembered at the beginning you would realise he said just practice

[@ZakiWasik]

Impressive craftmanship! I like to work on my Wurlitzer electric piano and it amazes me how all of these complicated parts are made from something as simple as wood. Would be great to see you try to make something that resembles a real piano action better (i.e. guide pin holes in the keys and maybe makind a proper hammer assembly as well).

[@whimpey109]

Very beautiful but please make it drive something so it can be used to make sounds of music!

[@elite2781]

woah jenga keyboard

[@josecarlosochoacastro4326]

Puedes traducir tus vídeos al español son fabulosos gracias

[@RonaldWalters2010]

I translated this one to Spanish. The KZbin system for creating subtitles is difficult to work with so I probably will only attempt to do this for specific requests.

[@OnAirRecords]

art

[@alexandrebernard6569]

Have you ever done a plastic model? They are very fun. I am currently doing a TIGER 1 late production.

[@paulofelix3934]

Hello Ronald Walters! I wonder where this project? I looked at the site not found. Can you help me? I liked the design, Congratulations !!! I wanted to understand how it? The layout of the keys I understood more as they leave the notes? It would be the Air? Help me please!

[@RonaldWalters2010]

+Paulo Felix Sorry, there are no plans. It makes no sound... this is just a practice keyboard. You need to watch the video then make your own design. Thank you for watching!

[@mechanicaltingles932]

Very nice keyboard Ronald ! Just being curious, Have you found some way to level the keys ? Love the trick of drilling a hole on the top to place them in a jig. I previously cut some of my keyboard with a scroll saw, and boy were they mis-matched ...!

[@RonaldWalters2010]

I have a video series on building a mini-calliope. In that series is an improved keyboard with guide pins and a way to level the keys (at least for the mini-calliope). kzbin.info/www/bejne/qJ-upKKXrseGY6c Thanks for watching. Please Subscribe!

[@frankwillis4963]

Expert Craftman's Ship

[@maxwatson4396]

If Ron Swanson had a KZbin?

[@sitdad]

Very nice work Ron are you still doing the clocks?

[@Ififitzisitz]

You should make some sort of instrument to hook this keyboard up to. Like a piano, an I know you’ve already made a calliope.

[@RonaldWalters2010]

This was the practice piece for making the one for the calliope (which had several improvements such as the guide pins). Sometimes it is easier to start over, rather than trying to use something already made. Thanks for watching and your comments. It is appreciated. Ron

[@yorganyog]

This is impressive. I cannot find where to buy plastic keyboard set for synthsizers. Can anyone help?

[@mariah7174]

ooooo neat

[@brunadantas4133]

Uaaauuu! I'm from Brazil and I find it just great !!!!! I wonder if you make it to order. I do not speak English and it's hard for me to see if you've answered this question or not. I'm waiting!

[@RonaldWalters2010]

Sorry, I do not make these for anyone. My video only shows others how to make one for themselves. Thank you for watching. Please Subscribe !

[@brunadantas4133]

I understood, thank you for replying, would you have his project? Are you on the website? I searched and did not find. A big hug!

[@RonaldWalters2010]

This is my KZbin Channel, my video and my project. I do not have a website.

[@zombieplaysgames8652]

I got a piano advertisement while watching this

[@flowergirl1379]

Ron....Swanson?

[@haziqahesa8236]

hello sir, may i know what the type of wood do you use? thank you !

[@RonaldWalters2010]

"White" keys and case are oak. "Black" keys are walnut.

[@jimwoodward6524]

I like your drill press table, did you make it and if so, do you have the plans

[@RonaldWalters2010]

No plans, sorry. Every make and model drill press are different so you just need to follow my example. Thanks for watching and subscribing! I have a video "Drill Press Auxiliary Table".

[@chaejuru2129]

I want this. :P It could be useful to practice on if i'm ever not near a piano. Is it possible to make four octaves and to make it fold over into a carrying case??

[@RonaldWalters2010]

You could design and build it any way you wish.

[@surfcello]

Must have been a lot of work!

[@augustosilva33]

não entendo inglês e não entendi pra quê serve esse piano. mas ficou lindo

[@joeyhardin5903]

neat-o

[@LewysC]

Sounds like Fletcher from Whiplash.... XD This keyboard is not quite my tempo

[@samuelscholkopf5680]

Isnt it that guy out of far north survival?

[@toothbrush_butt]

Is this Ron from parks and rec like woah

[@rogerfelez7478]

Hi, I'm working on some reed pipes for my organ. I'm making some trumpet pipes "en chamade". If you want some pictures of my prototype, tell me your email so I'll be able to send you all the information.

[@SkunkTreeCarvings]

cool...

[@llarry2009]

SkunkTreeCarvings ...гоос

[@kdb97tj]

I'm pretty sure I'm the 200th person to comment and this is awesome

[@RonaldWalters2010]

Thank you! Hope you have subscribed. Ron

[@gailanderson5194]

im thinking of the wrong matthias. XD