HarpsiGourd Faux Piano — CNC Collapsible Shell

Overview

The HarpsiGourd instrument originally performed on top of a real upright piano. After finding the piano a new home, the team drew up a full-scale collapsible piano shell and milled it on a CNC router.

The shell looks like an upright piano but breaks down completely flat — no fasteners, no tools required. Assembly and disassembly at an exhibition takes minutes.

Construction

All panels were CNC-milled with interlocking slots, holes, and pegs sized to fit precisely together. The joinery holds the structure rigid when assembled while still pulling apart cleanly for transport and storage.

Finishing

Local Cub Scouts painted their hand prints across the shell in fluorescent paint. Under black light at Lansing How-To Halloween, the prints glow — giving the instrument an appropriately spooky and festive character that a plain piano shell never could.