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As a piano tech I was accompanying one of my customers to a used piano store to help them find a piano for their young child who is in his 2nd year of studies. We came upon a smaller upright (42" high) piano in good condition (hardly used). It is a direct blow action and the back of the keys were noticably sloped downwards compared to most pianos. This was quitepopular with builders in the 70's with these smaller pianos.

My question is...are these pianos best to be avoided for some ergonomic reason which may impede or cause problems for new or intermediate students? I've played piano for over 40 years and have no troubles adjusting to it and find it hardly noticable, but is there a consensus with teachers about these pianos?

Joe, this is the first I've heard about these instruments. My gut reaction is that this would change the whole geometry of the pianist and the instrument. We want forearms to be roughly level with the piano, for a number of reasons. If the keys are sloping down, if I understand you correctly, the portion of the key by the fallboard is lower than the part which is closest to the pianist, then the pianist should be sitting higher with their elbows above the line of the keys. This would at least be better than the converse, where the pianist would literally be clawing at the keyboard. I would probably advise my students to steer clear of such an instrument.

All the electronic keyboards that I've run into also have this 'feature'.
Even my Yamaha KX88 from the '80s is made this way.
I've tried to find out why they are made this way, but not yet been able to find an answer.
I always prop up the rear feet to make the keys level as on an acoustical piano.

I've played one or two of these in my day and i don't like them. They are probably OK for someone who is not planning to play very seriously or very often.
It's one thing to occasionally have to adjust to something like that when you are a professional. We are used to taking what ever is available. But if you student gets used to these sloping keys he will have to adjust to every other piano that has regular keys. That could be nerve wracking to a student.

Kudos to you for taking your valuable time to go with your students to help choose a piano.

Doreen Hall

The two digital pianos I've had, Casio PX120 and VPC1, have had keys that slope down slightly at rest, and are level when fully depressed. Aren't acoustics set up that way?
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With keys that are shorter, the change in angle will show up more, so that would be most digitals, I guess.