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Hi all. Is there a significant downside to a new student (a 13 year old in this case) learning to play on an old 85 key piano, as opposed to a standard/more modern 88 key piano? The older piano also has 2, rather than 3, pedals. Thanks.

A number of lower end Asian instruments come with 85 keys, so this isn't as unique an occurrence as you might think. The 2 pedals is less of an issue than the number of keys. You can probably get by with it for many years, but some contemporary literature specifically uses the extreme upper and lower keys, which you will find frustrating.

I agree, the amount of beginning and intermediate literature that requires 3 pedals and those 3 extra keys is very small and easily avoidable.

There is more likely to be an issue with playing on an old piano, rather than 85 keys. 2 pedals is not an issue. Even now, the middle pedal is not standardized.

Most old pianos are not in good shape, and it is more expensive to put them in good shape than to replace them. A piano that does not allow one to play at a variety of volumes with control is as frustrating as learning to type on a keyboard where the keys do not always work.

My first piano was only 85 keys. The top note was A.

I played on piano like this today

It was very old steinway:)

Anyway, i dont thing you will need 3rd pedal. Pieces can easily be played without it.

You wont need those missing key for at least few years.
Does there even exist intermidiate piece using them?

You can play all of Bach with 61 keys, I think. It should take a 13 year old a while to learn all of Bach. Hee, hee.

I direct a handbell choir, and most of the music starts by listing the bells required. There are 2 octave pieces, 3, 4, 5, etc. We grade piano music by difficulty but it wouldn't be hard to also classify it by notes required.

Cue gyro who will tell us any digital is better than an old unmaitained acoustic like this one probably is.

And in this case he's probably right.

Well, you just saved him the time of cutting and pasting then :p

Maybie Gyro is a she? :p

I don't think I've ever needed all 88 keys, really, what pieces ever use the last three keys at the top of the keyboard (or probably the bottom two or so)? I was just thinking about this the other day as I was playing a Brahms piece that went up pretty far on the right, but even that didn't use the last few keys.

Lots of people never have a piano with three pedals, it isn't necessary. Most people don't play any literature that uses the middle pedal. I don't think I've ever had any. I don't have a middle pedal because I have an upright so the middle is a practice pedal (which is great if you live in an apt.). The other day I was listening to an Ives sonata that used the middle pedal a lot, but I don't think that is common.

I think it would be interesting to list a few pieces that used all 88 keys, as I am serious, I don't know of any.

Does the name Tcherepnin ring a bell? How about Seymour Bernstein's Birds and other compositions? Many, many contemporary era (1920 on) use the full range of the keyboard. I mention those two because they composed music in reach of Intermediate level students.

Could you give me some names (of those intermediate pieces)?

Tcherepnin's Op 10 is a fun set.

There are several very mediocre performances on youtube. Here's one - you can see it uses the full keyboard:

Tcherepnin Op 10, #5

thanks.

Do you maybe know where can i find sheets for this piece for free? (the problem is that i dont have paypal and cant buy on internet)

The music is not public domain in the USA, although it might be in Europe. I would ask my local music store to find you a collection that has it in it.

Thanks for answer.