DS Standard Foundation Inc

The DS Standard Foundation Inc is a nonprofit organization focused on promoting and manufacturing ergonomic piano keyboards. It originated from Steinbuhler & Company, which specialized in developing alternative piano keyboard sizes to accommodate pianists with varying hand sizes.

History

The foundation's roots trace back to the collaboration between Christopher Donison and David Steinbuhler in the early 1990s. They designed the Donison-Steinbuhler (DS) Standard, a set of ergonomic piano keyboard sizes. The first prototype was built in 1994, with the first sale occurring in 1996. In 2018, Steinbuhler & Company transitioned into the DS Standard Foundation, a nonprofit entity.

Purpose and Activities

The DS Standard Foundation aims to make ergonomically designed piano keyboards available to a wider audience, particularly pianists with smaller hands. It offers keyboards in multiple sizes, including DS6.5, DS6.0, DS5.5, and DS5.1, each designed to reduce strain and discomfort associated with conventional keyboards. The foundation supports research and educational initiatives related to the benefits of these ergonomic keyboards.

Impact

The DS Standard Foundation's efforts have contributed to increased awareness and adoption of ergonomically scaled piano keyboards in educational settings. Southern Methodist University was one of the first U.S. institutions to implement these keyboards, utilizing them for research on the benefits of ergonomic design in piano playing. The foundation continues to make these keyboards available, supporting pianists and institutions interested in reducing hand strain and improving performance.