The keyboard world

Knowing the main differences between keyboard instruments

Keyboard instruments are those that are played through a keyboard, i.e. a horizontal bed of keys, just like in the piano.
Some keyboard instruments have a lot of keys like in the case of the acoustic piano and some have much fewer as in the case of a synthesiser.
There are different ways to class and categorise keyboard instruments. Clearly, this could be done by sound, by number of keys, by date of
invention or by many more criteria. But a first very important distinction to be made, is based on the way the instrument produces its sound.

Method of sound production

-Acousti c i nstruments: these require no power to work and produce their sound. These often were the first keyboard instruments or have
evolved from the very first and for their natural beauty of sound, are often replicated by electronic instruments. Examples include the piano, the
harpsichord or the pipe organ.

-El ectro-mechani cal i nstruments: these use a combination of acoustic/mechanical methods to produce their sound, coupled with some
form of electrical amplification to produce their sound.
Examples are the clavinet (as used in a lot of Funk music), the Fender Rhodes and the Hammond organ.

-El ectroni c i nstruments: these instruments use electric power combined with electronics (in the form of circuit boards) to produce power.
Examples include an electronic piano, a synth and a digital keyboard.

Weighted keys

Another important distinction made on keyboard instruments is between those with weighted keys and those without. A middle ground is
occupied by instruments with semi-weighted keys.

-Wei ghted keys: these instruments have a fairly complex mechanism that allows for the key to respond similarly to an acoustic piano. This
enables dynamics to be played effectively. Because the mechanisms are more complex, heavy and involve not only more electronics but more
wood and plastic, these instruments are more expensive.
Most electronic home pianos, stage pianos and full-octave arranger keyboards have weighted keys.

-Semi -wei ghted keys: instruments with this kind of technology use a spring-action that responds when the key is depressed. These types of
instruments weigh less, cost less and are easier/faster to play.

- Synth acti on keyboards: These have little weighting and are very often recognizable by the keys having a lip rather than being in a box-
shape like in the case of weighted or semi-weighted keys.
Synth action keyboards are faster to play and also offer the advantage that they can be played with your knuckles or thumb. This is particularly
useful when playing organ sounds like a Hammond.
Some keyboards do not offer weighted keys but do offer a form of compromise: touch-sensitivity. This option is often available as a function that can be switched on
and off, and allows the sounds to respond dynamically to the touch.

Families of keyboards

Finally, keyboard instruments-particularly of the electronic kind-can be divided in to large groups or families based on the kind of instrument and
its purpose.

Di gi tal pi anos: all electronic pianos that aim to replicate the feel, sound and look of an acoustic piano. These are designed for the home
market and come in a variety of wood-veneer finishes to blend in well a the homes surroundings.
Please see my keyboard classification chart further on for manufacturers and indicative market prices.

Stage pi anos: these are electronic/digital pianos designed for the professional keyboard player in mind. They offer high quality sounds, MIDI
functionality and often act as a master keyboard from which to play the more elaborate sections and also control other keyboards.
All stage pianos have fully weighted keys, in most cases full octaves and a limited, but high-quality range of sounds, such as pianos, electric
pianos, strings and organs.

Keyboards: although this term has already been used to represent a host of instruments, used on its own can often signify a small, light and
often inexpensive instrument, frequently referred to as a portable keyboard or a baby keyboard.
These kinds of keyboards have a limited number of octaves together with semi or non-weighted keys and a high number of mid-quality sounds.
These keyboards, particularly of the cheaper type, have inbuilt speakers.

Workstati ons: These keyboards are designed to offer an all-round studio, built in to one instrument. Most workstations will offer some form of
recording facility, the possibility for layering or splitting across multiple sounds and a large number of very high-quality sounds. Workstations
occupy the higher tier of the keyboard range and are therefore expensive. Some workstations even offer weighted keys.

Arranger keyboards: These have some features of the workstations but are designed to be an accompanying keyboard. They are particularly
popular with solo singers who wish to accompany themselves with a rich, band or orchestra-like backing or a rhythm section in which drums and
bass are triggered, based on the chords or notes played.
There can be some overlap between keyboards, workstations and arrangers as some can combine features of the other and be suitable for more than one thing. For
example many arranger keyboards offer functions similar to workstations, such as high quality recording and playback. Likewise, arrangers and workstations can
work perfectly as basic or slave keyboards.
Synthesi sers: often shortened to the word synth, these instruments enable their users to generate their own sounds, based on pre-existing
ones, while using a range of synthesis models, effects and envelopes.
These can require more time to use but ultimately offer the advantage of tailoring the sound to the users needs, while also helping to
experiment with sounds when required.
Synths are often used in experimental music but also, some atmospheric, dance and electronic styles.

Control l er keyboards: these are designed with the sole intent of controlling another source of sound. Therefore they do not inherently offer
any sound, saving on circuitry and weight. These instruments are cheaper compared to stage pianos for example. Controller keyboards
communicate via MIDI/usb with the slave instrument which often is a laptop, module or another keyboard.

Internal or external speakers

Keyboard instruments often differ based on whether they have their own way of re-producing and amplifying the sounds on board-or not.
Many lower end products like portable keyboards, home pianos or affordable stage pianos have inbuilt speakers, offering a very acceptable sound
quality. More professional products like workstations of quality stage pianos, do not offer inbuilt speakers as these are conceived with the
professional in mind, who moves it regularly and therefore needs a product that can be easily carried. Instead, these instruments are plugged in
to an amplifier or some kind of PA system.


References
Kovarsky, J, 2014, Keyboard for dummies, New Jersey, John Wiley & Sons

http://www.haydockmusic.com/reviews/keyboard_weighted_keys.html#.VDafTSldVfE
Keyboard t ype Descri pt i on Key f eat ures Manuf act urers/ model s Market
pri ce
( 2014)

Di gi t al pi anos Attractive electronic pianos
designed for the home user.
Limited range of sounds
88 weighted keys
limited sounds
inbuilt speakers
built-in structure
Yamaha (Clavinova), Roland, Casio
(Celviano, Privia), Korg
500-1500
St age pi anos High quality electronic pianos,
designed for professional use
76-88 weighted keys
limited but high quality sounds
portable
Yamaha (CP-), Roland (RD-),
Korg, Nord, Kawai, Kurzweil,
700-3000
Keyboards Low quality build for a range of
uses: early piano learning, some
performance, use as a slave
keyboard
49-76 non/semi-weighted keys
wide range of sounds
inexpensive
Yamaha (PSR-), Casio (CTK-),
Korg, Roland
29-1000
Workst at i ons Highly complex keyboards with
arranging/recording facilities. High
quality sounds for professional use
61-76 (semi)-weighted keys
wide range of high-quality and editable sounds
expensive
recording, arranging features
Yamaha (Motif, Tyros), Roland
(Fantom), Korg (PA, Kronos)
500-3500
Arrangers Fairly elaborate keyboards
designed for accompanying solo
artists, although can act as
general purpose keyboards
61 semi-weighted keys
wide range of high-quality sounds and rhythm
patterns
recording, arranging features
Yamaha (PSR-), Roland (BK-),
Korg (PA-)
400-3000
Synt hesi sers Frequently analogue instruments
that generate sound by modifying
soundwaves
limited number of non-weighted keys
wide range of oscillators, envelopes and effects
(LFO, ADSR, etc)
endless potential for creative sounds
Moog, Dave Smith (Prophet),
Novation, Korg
50-4000
Cont rol l er
keyboards
Mute keyboards that drive an
external source of sound
variety of non/weighted key models
12-88 keys!
assignable controls like pitch benders, knobs,
switches and pads
USB/MIDI
more affordable compared to stage pianos
M-AUDIO, Novation, Alesis, Korg,
Roland, Acorn, Arturia
30-600
Roland, Yamaha Korg, Kawai, Casio, Clavia (Nord), Kurzweil, Alesis, Technics, Farfisa, Hammond, Apple and Garageband are registered logos.
Prices are based on 2014 and are only for indication.
Names of manufacturers and models do not constitute actual advice. Any advice given, is offered independently of brands.