Self-tuning Piano

From NetNewMusic Wiki

The Self-tuning Piano is a hypothetical instrument whose basic operating mechanism was sketched out on a napkin for Kyle Gann by German-American genius inventor/musician Trimpin in a Seattle restaurant. The principle is for each piano string to be attached at one end to a screw, turnable via MIDI commands. In accordance with Trimpin's self-tuning guitars, the strings could even be equipped with small plectra which would pluck them, and tuning meters feeding back to the controlling computer could ensure that each string is neither too flat nor sharp. The problem is that the pressure exerted on piano strings is so enormous that the instrument would require a huge steel frame that would cost many tens of thousands of dollars to build. But if built, the instrument would allow the pianist to change tunings or temperaments while playing according to a series of saved presets, possibly triggered by foot pedal.

(Some other attempts developing keyboard instruments capable of more flexible intonation than usual are outlined at [1])