« studies in restriction » explores the ideas of restraint and physicality around piano and toy piano performance. Each study of the set investigates a specific physical or instrumental limitation. In « study in independence », only the pianist’s fourth and fifth fingers are used throughout, and in « study in stretch », the pianist performs an elaborate choreography of overlapping wide stretched intervals. « study in practice » demonstrates the slow practice technique of right hand only, then left hand only, together, then up to speed. The toy piano is introduced with the piano in « study in suspension » where the toy piano’s limitation with sustain is bolstered by playing simultanenously with the pedalled piano (meanwhile, the piano benefits from the added timbral colouring from the toy piano to each note). To close, « study in 3-2-1 » (for solo toy piano) deliberates on the difficulties of repeated notes on the instrument.