How To Buy A Piano Keyboard

Hi Elaine, Yes 88 is best, because although it seems easier at first with a smaller keyboard and fewer keys, it is better to learn on the full size so they get used to the proper size and correct number of keys.

how to buy a piano keyboard

Hello Sara, I am also interested in your professional opinion of the Alesis recital beginner/pro you mention reviewing in the future. I have to aquire a keyboard this month for my daughter so would like to know if its a good option or not.

I am keen to purchase a keyboard (piano) for my 4 year old daughter to get her interested. I totally agree that one should not go for those with too many options and synthesizer etc. However, not sure which one would be suitable for someone her age?

What make things even worse is that there are many unreliable online resources (not pointing fingers here) that write about this topic without having any experience with digital or acoustic pianos whatsoever.

In a professional recording studio with a perfectly tuned acoustic piano (a grand piano in many cases), manufacturers record each note played at different volumes using multiple high-fidelity microphones.

Many lower-end digital pianos will only play back the first 3-5 seconds of the real recording, then loop the sample so that the same part is played over and over, but with gradually decreasing volume.

In that case, to recreate the dynamics, the tone generator of the digital piano will just increase/decrease the volume of the same sample rather than using separate layers for different velocities, which is never ideal.

All these keyboards, except for portable arrangers, are primarily professional instruments that often cost over $1,000 and are designed for live performers, composers, music producers, etc.

Console digital pianos differ from their portable counterparts in that they come with a furniture-style cabinet and 3 pedals that resemble the feel and look of an acoustic piano.

All these extra features make these digital pianos an attractive option for non-professional music production, composing, and exploring a wide range of musical instruments and music styles.

A MIDI controller (aka MIDI keyboard) is a device that generates and transmits MIDI data to other electronic devices that can interpret the data and can trigger sounds or control sound parameters accordingly.

They only track your key presses (velocity, length, pressure) and various control elements (knobs, sliders, pads, etc.). That data is then sent to your computer or another musical keyboard that generates the actual sound.

Most MIDI-controllers have non-weighted keys and are not designed to mimic the feel of an acoustic piano. The non-weighted action facilitates non-piano sounds, like synths, organs, electric pianos, etc.

Some MIDI controllers target piano players such as the M-Audio Hammer 88 or the more premium Kawai VPC1, which features the incredibly realistic RM3II keyboard, which is ideal for playing piano sounds.

Buying a digital piano from one these 7 brands will save you the time and headache of dealing with lesser-known brands that deliver poor build quality and provide an unrealistic sound and feel.

At the same time, for some types of music (other than the piano) synth action is preferred for its playability and light feel, which is perfect for playing synth leads, organ tunes, etc.

A $500 entry-level piano and a $5,000 high-end piano can both have hammer action keys, but each will be completely different actions with different feels and levels of realism.

This is the only type of key action that facilitates developing proper finger strength and technique. Moreover, it will make it much easier to transition to an acoustic piano further down the line (if you decide to do so).

Digital pianos usually have adjustable touch sensitivity, which allows you to tweak the sensitivity of the keys. In other words, you can choose how much force you need to apply to produce the loudest sound.

Not only do digital pianos provide versatility and convenience not available with acoustic pianos, but they also come with a bunch of extra features that make playing and learning more enjoyable and fun.

Duet Play is particularly useful when you use it with your teacher or tutor so they can play some tunes on one side of the keyboard while you follow along on the other side, playing the exact same notes.

Some digital pianos come with preset temperaments, which means you can change the standard Equal Temperament tuning to tuning systems that are better suited for playing certain styles of music (Indian, Arabian, classical, etc.)

Some digital pianos allow you to turn off the left- or right-hand part (track) of a song (built-in or downloaded from the internet) and practice it while listening to the playback of the other part.

Some brands offer their own free apps designed for certain piano models. Such apps usually enable you to control the settings and functions of the instrument, via an intuitive graphical interface.

Most professional keyboards come with both USB and MIDI ports to be compatible with legacy gear (yes, you can send MIDI data not only to a computer but also to other musical instruments).

While digital pianos can serve you for a long time (sometimes 10 or more years), their lifespan tends to be shorter than acoustic pianos, and this is not necessarily due to wear and tear (though this also can be the case)

While digital pianos are electric instruments with fewer elements that can break or wear out compared to acoustic pianos, there will still be some mechanical wear and tear, and your digital piano may need a repair eventually. This is especially true for the key action.

The second option is to buy a furniture-style stand that manufacturers often offer for their portable digital pianos. Such stands are sturdier than X-type stands and best suited for home use.

Most entry-level digital pianos come with a flimsy, plastic footswitch that feels nothing like an acoustic piano pedal. But it still does its job, and for a beginner, it would be a satisfactory solution.

Online sales for musical instruments are growing each year, and people are definitely growing in confidence about buying a digital piano online today over, say, 5 years ago.

As one of the largest online retailers in the world, Amazon provides a wide selection of keyboards and digital pianos, with special discounts and bundle deals (more discounts and next-day delivery is available for Prime Members).

Manufacturers develop their own technologies, which they use in the process of sound recording/modeling, as well as when they design the keyboard actions, speaker systems, and all the features that come with their pianos.

Hi Lucas,I was checking online for digital piano reviews and came across your review, and I most say it was very comprehensive, thank you for sharing it.I bought a used Yamaha DGX640 but noticed after playing it for a while that the keys make a noise when played as you described in your review. I usually use headphones to avoid hearing the noise and have started to consider purchasing another piano. What do you think of the Alesis Coda Pro? I have never played it but have seen online reviews of it on YouTube, I will like your opinion of it. Thanks!

People use different criteria when looking for a digital piano. Some people doing their research depending on the price, others on their level of experience, some are looking for a particular type of digital pianos (portable, console, stage).

Hi, thank you so much for the reviews. It is very helpful in guiding me to learn more about digital pianos and be able to make a wiser decision. I am mainly thinking between KDP 110, ROLAND RP-102 and CASIO PX-870. I understand the price range is quite different and KDP is about $300 more expensive than CASIO PX 870at least in nearby stores where I live but I want to choose the best digital piano below $2000 and $300 is not a big deal in my opinion and I am only going to use the piano sound not other features. So considering that, which one would you recommend the most? and thank you so much for sharing your expertise.

Developed in 1964 by Robert Moog, the modular synthesizer was the first of a generation of electronic musical keyboards, followed in 1970 by the first performance model. Thanks to advances in electronics since then, digital keyboards are now available in a variety of sizes and configurations, with a variety of features to meet the needs of both amateur and professional musicians. Here are the steps in how to buy a keyboard to meet your needs.

Keyboards for beginning piano students differ from keyboards for students planning on rocking out or composing electronic music. While the best keyboard for beginner adults may be a smaller keyboard for beginners, children as young as 10 may be more motivated if their keyboards help them play (and create) popular music.

A workstation keyboard is one of the more expensive keyboards and essentially includes its own computer for composition and advanced program options. These are the keyboards used by many hip-hop and pop artists to program beats and other parts of the composition to play automatically.Workstation keyboards often include weighted keys, making them a good choice for the advanced beginner keyboard student. For the fledgling composer, however, a controller and laptop provide the same tools for a lower price.

Arranger keyboards are designed to provide auto-accompaniment. Simply select a few options, and the keyboard then lays down a backing track that matches the style, rhythm and tempo of the piece being played. This helps students get a feel for playing with other musicians while allowing them to play solo compositions. 041b061a72