Analog & Digital Keyboards
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Analog & Digital Keyboards •
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Choosing a Music Keyboard •
History of Music Keyboards •
What is MIDI?
Traditional Keyboards
Traditional pianos have
88 keys; with their rich and full tone qualities, they are a great way to
develop the budding musician's ear. The keys of traditional pianos
have a certain weighted feel and are touch-sensitive, which means that the
harder you press the key, the louder the sound. If you plan to play
traditional, classical melodies, a traditional piano is most likely the
way to go. Traditional pianos are available in spinet, upright, baby
grand, and grand models. It is worth noting that the strings on a
baby grand are shorter than those on the other models, which affects
sound. If you don't have room for a grand sized piano, you might
be better off with an upright piano.
Pianos, and other traditional keyboard instruments like the clavichord and the harpsichord, are essentially stringed instruments. Each key on their keyboards corresponds to a string, or pair of strings, which are housed in the instrument body. These instruments differ in the mechanism which is used to play each string.
Other traditional musical keyboards include pipe organs, accordions, and
reed organs, which produce sound by means of air-blowing bellows.
Pipe organs feature
many pipes of various lengths and diameters, through which air is blown to
produce a variety of rich sounds.
Accordions
feature hand-held bellows and a set of reeds which vibrate as the air is
blown across them. Reed organs, popular in homes and small churches
during the early 20th century, produce sound by pedal-driven or electric
bellows which force air across a set of vibrating reeds.
Electronic Keyboards
Electronic pianos, organs, and synthesizers have become popular during the last 50 years. Featuring a variety of electronically-generated sounds, these instruments are often more portable and less expensive than traditional pianos and organs. Digital electronic pianos offer a limited repertoire of sounds, but they include sustain pedals as well as keyboards which mimic the weight and action of traditional piano keyboards. Electronic organs can typically generate 10 or 20 different sounds — and combinations thereof. More sophisticated analog synthesizers can generate many different sounds and sound combinations, as well as customized sounds!
Digital Keyboards
Digital keyboards use computer technology to simulate the sound of the piano, organ, harpsichord, and a host of other instruments. They are narrower than traditional pianos, usually having between 61 and 88 keys, and the sound is rarely as rich or as full. However, digital keyboards are always in tune, and they are a good choice if portability is important. Digital keyboards also make it fun to explore other sounds, and their features can keep you busy. For example, many digital keyboards allow you to compose your own music, overlay voices, and record your music to CD. Digital keyboards also afford a certain amount of privacy, because they can be hooked up to headphones. Many of the quality models have properly weighted keys, which give them the touch and feel of a traditional piano.
Synthesizers
Digital synthesizers consist of a piano-style keyboard, a display
device, and a microprocessor-based sound generator. This computer
module is typically programmed to control each sound's amplitude envelope
via a series of push-buttons, rotating knobs, sliders, and switches.
Most synthesizers feature internal memory as well as digital MIDI and
analog audio interfaces. Amateur grade synths often incorporate a
stereo amplifier, dual speakers, multiple rhythm selections, and various
prerecorded sound tracks. Professional grade synths generally
feature higher quality sounds, more flexible sound customization,
enhanced polyphonic capabilities, and data storage devices.
Keyboard Accessories
Accessories will increase the enjoyment of your digital keyboard. A stand will allow you to adjust the height of your keyboard, and a proper adjustable bench is also a good investment. Headphones, a pedal, and a metronome should complete your keyboard experience.