What is the difference btw a keyboard and a piano?

Question

What would be the difference btw playing the keyboard and the piano? Which one would be a better choice?

Answer 1

It's the old question of digital versus "analog".

Think about this: An electronic keyboard can simulate the sound of a piano -- but since it is a MIDI instrument, you can only elicit at most 128 different dynamic levels from variance in touch -- the MIDI command is called "velocity", whereas on a piano you essentially have unlimited nuance.

Tone quality is fixed on digital keyboard, essentially you are limited to the quality of the sample provided by the manufacturer. On a piano of good quality, you can create a broad spectrum of tone colors using a combination of touch and pedaling.

A piano offers subtle pedaling effect that cannot be imitated on a keyboard.

I can go on for quite a while, but I think you get the idea.

Answer 2

A piano is a type of keyboard. A full size piano has 88 keys and is acoustic. Keyboards are not necessarily electronic instruments by definition. Keyboard refers to any instrument that has a "keyboard" that is used to produce musical tones. That can be a harpsichord, organ, electronic piano, etc. Most people today refer to a synthesizer as a keyboard. That is an electronic instrument that uses a keyboard to activate controllers that then produce an electronically generated tone. This is over simplifying, but should help for our purposes. So, technically, a keyboard is anything with keys, but again most people today are referring to a electronic instrument like one you would see in a rock or R&B group.

Answer 3

all pianos have keyboards, biut not all keyboards are pianos. A piano (generally an acoustic piano.) users hammers to hit strings and create sounds in that way. Electronic keyboards generally create the sounds digitally.. They don't need to be tuned, but many people don't think they sound as good.
the range of price for keyboards is enormous, from little keyboards with less keys, (often smaller keys too,) to keyboards with weighted keys that even FEEL like a real piano and cost a lot more..

Answer 4

If you really cannot afford a piano, buy a keyboard. Keyboard's has various functions where you are also able to chose different instruments for it to sound like. The Grand Piano is one of the main options. I think it would be very useful.

Answer 5

A keyboard is portable. It is an electronic board with keys on it. Literally.
A piano is the 'hard-shell' living room piece. It is NOT portable.

Keyboards come in 4 numbers types of keys: 49, 61, 76, and 88 keys.
A piano comes in only 1 type of key: 88 keys.

Keyboards are narrow in size.
Pianos can range anywhere from 1 foot to 11 feet long.

Keyboards are very plain in appearance.
Pianos can be gotten with various wood finishes and grains, and are outright beautiful to the eye of the pianist.



A keyboard can be put in a 'gig bag' and put in the back seat of your car.
A piano is not portable without several men and a moving truck.

A keyboard does not need tuning.
A piano needs to be tuned 2x a year.

A keyboard has good imitation piano sound.
A piano has the REAL piano sound.

A keyboard loses value quickly.
A piano goes UP in value if taken good care of.

I am a pianist.

Answer 6

It depends on what kind of music you want to play. No keyboards can replicate the action of a real piano so the feel is much different. On the other hand pianos are pretty much stationary. If you want to play classical, you probably want a piano. Anything else - a keyboard should be fine.
The cost is another factor - pianos (especially good ones are expensive).

Answer 7

A keyboard offers a wide array of voices. Keyboards most generally do not have weighted keys. Most keyboards offer options like MIDI connection and recording features. Obviously cost and weight factors are in favor of the keyboard.

A digital piano simulates an acoustic piano. Most have a good approximation of the feel weighted hammer key actions have.

A piano is an acoustic string instrument. it uses no electricity and is typically heavy. Unlike the two instrument types above, acoustic pianos require periodic maintenance.

Answer 8

The piano is the older/bulkier instrument, the one that's been around since Mozart. Keyboards are a somewhat more modern invention, and it runs on electronics.

On which one is the better choice, I guess it depends on how finicky you are about sound. Pianos generally have a more "pure", aesthetic/organic appeal. Keyboards, however, can produce several different sound effects... including that of a piano.

Go with a piano if you're the more "old-fashioned" composer type, or a keyboard if you're looking to "experiment" more or if you're on a budget.

Answer 9

I am sure you must have seen a Piano. A keyboard on the other hand has lesser number of keys (mostly 61 keys) and comes with built-in musical styles.

Best thing to do is to visit a musical instruments shop and see for yourself what the differences are.

Answer 10

Keyboards are electric..& are easily transportable.
You can play the sounds of other instruments on them too.
A piano is a stringed instrument and is very large and not easily moved...But has a beautiful sound.
Very nice for the home or church.
If you're in a band..keyboard is the way to go.