RIT Player Piano

The automated player piano is a continuation of a multi-year effort to retrofit an existing piano with a device which will allow the piano to be played completely autonomously or as a compliment to a human pianist. Ultimately, it is expected that the piano will be placed in a hospital and/or rehab facility upon completion, where it will be available for people to play and relieve some of the stress they may be going through. Music has often proven to be a good therapy for people struggling with physical and mental injuries, and providing an interactive music device could help them in their recovery. These considerations helped us build off past iterations of the project and develop the following engineering requirements. First, the piano must be able to play itself completely autonomously, including use of all 88 keys and the sustain pedal and incorporating changes in tempo and dynamics, for a wide variety of songs. The device must also allow for the piano to be played normally without any interference. Combining these two cases, the device must also support single-hand playing, in which someone who would like accessibility can play using one hand (either left or right), while the device compliments with the other hand. The pianist will also be able to receive feedback on their performance, as buttons and a microphone will capture every key press and note played, and ultimately show where the pianist could improve. This system will also provide a means to record a song so the pianist can hear it again or share it with someone else. All of this will be controlled via an easy to use user interface, which will allow for song, tempo, and dynamic selection, recording, and feedback.

RIT Player Piano with All Covers Off, Showing Devices Installed by Team P21363

Player Piano Front Face

Player Piano Right Face

Player Piano Left Face