Toy Piano

A toy piano is a keyboard instrument resembling a piano, originally marketed as a "toy" version of a piano for children. The distinctive sound of a toy piano comes from its tuned metal bars, which are struck by hammers—conventional pianos use strings, not bars. As a result, the toy piano usually produces a rather tinny timbre.

They Might Be Giants and, in solo work, John Linnell, have utilized the sound of a toy piano on a few occasions. This may have been through sampling, sound synthesis, or the use of an actual toy piano or similar instrument.

Songs featuring toy piano

They Might Be Giants songs

• And Mom And Kid
• Columbia
• Dinner Bell
• Feast Of Lights
• I Broke My Own Rule
• Lazy
• O We
• This Is Only Going To Go One Way
• We've Got A World That Swings

Children's songs

The toy piano is appropriate for children's music due to its association with juvenalia. It first appeared on Here Come The 123s and was later also used for Here Comes Science. The following songs use toy piano sounds:

• I Can Add
• Meet The Elements
• My Brother The Ape

John Linnell songs

Linnell's House Of Mayors uses toy piano sounds on the following tracks:

• DeWitt Clinton
• John Purroy Mitchel
• David Dinkins

See also

• Accordion
• Bob Stuhmer – Played band organ for John Linnell
• Stylophone