What's the difference between a piano and a keyboard?

Question

I'm 15 yrs. old and I have an option to begin practicing with one of them, (I have no experience with neither) so can you tell me which is more suitable?

Thnx a LOT!!!

Answer 1

Hi,

The difference is this:

1) A piano is the traditional form of the instrument; who's sounds are derived "traditionally" via a system where eventually a "hammer" strikes a string making the piano sound. So you hit the white or black key and a mechanical device strikes the string making the sound.

2) Keyboard - all sounds are derived via electronic "digital" or "analogue" means, there is no mechanical system, no hammer action and no strings!

Note, these days, excellent piano sounds are reproduced electronically too, so in effect you can have the best of both worlds. You can buy an electronic keyboard which has quality piano sounds and for some you can buy additional ROM piano cards for more advanced (and dated) keyboards.

I would HIGHLY recomend you learn to play piano the traditional way FIRST, learn the rudements of music, like circle of fifths, and basic chord and scale structuring, THEN invest in an anaologue synthesizer AND a piano keyboard... HAVE BOTH!!

U can pick up either on ebay, and there is nothing wrong with buying an old second hand synthesizer, as long as it works it will do the job for you.. so dont worry if its ten years old.. I've bought old synths for over $1,000 and still made a profit on them when I re-sold them years later!!

go for a workstation if you afford it, but avoid the cheapish bottom end stuff if you can, as you will hate it and abandon the instrument altogether.. either buy quality or dont buy at all OK.. trust me on this.. save the extra dollars, wait a bit longer, but spend the money!! you wont regret it.

If you can afford it, buy a Nord Clavia, or Novation Supernova/Nova.. these are used by the world's leading bands! you can add other effects by plugging stuff into the midi inputs as well and the newerr models have USB ports for updating operating systems and downloading new sounds.. The Korg Triton is also very good but i hate the large touch screen they use, I'm old skool and into knobs..

Some older models worth looking at, are Korg Kharma, the DX-7, Yamaha Sy-85, Fizmo.. check ebay you'll get to know every brand within a few weeks and make an informed decision..

Stay away from cheap casio and yamaha units they have low resale value and poor key board play.. the keys are usually plasticy and sticky with no aftertouch or velocity.. so it'll be like playing a really bad guitar or driving a very crappy car every time you play.. make sure the keys are comfortable to paly with.. technics make some good cheap older keyboards.. like the KN and SX range and the keys are excellent to work with.. you cna pick up an old Technics for around $250.. like the SX-200 which will suit a beginner just fine.

Answer 2

I would suggest a Keyboard.
1. It may be less expensive than a piano to start off with.
2. It will be more portable if you want to take it to your friend's house or play in public.
3. You can get a nice one that connects to your computer so you can record, add effects.
4. Different instrument sounds also know as voices available on the keyboard.
5. It won't go out of tune.
6. HEADPHONE jack, for when you want to play and not disturb others.
I suggest a keyboard that does have realistic piano keys, that are sensitive to how hard you push them and how the actually feel, etc...
I am into techno and electronic music, and if you want to compose your own music, a keyboard will be much more fun to play and experiment with.

Answer 3

Yo Fridum --
a piano is an instrument that is quite large-- has a keyboard consisting of "keys" that make their sounds by activating "hammer devices" that strike strings -- which vibrate to create the sound that is made BY the PIANO !!

keyboards, on the other hand, are --- the keyboard configuration OF the piano -- but as opposed to creating a striking motion upon strings -- these "keys" activate electronic diodes and circuits that create the sounds desired --- electronically !! And, even though the keyboard is exactly similar to the piano in layout and configuration -- it is (even with the associated gear necessary for the production OF sound --- the amp and electronic gear) --- considerably smaller, more compact, and somewhat more versitile than the piano !!
Also, it might be noted here -- that once one is proficient on either of these instruments -- they can usually do quite well on the other very rapidly !!

Hope this helps somewhat --- and, Good Luck to you on your new Quest !!! ANY and ALL background in music is something that you will never regret --- ever !! It is something that will give you a lifetime of enjoyment and be an enjoyment to many others that know you !!

Answer 4

a keyboard is the electric version. piano is the big ones made of wood. that's the easiest way to explain it. the piano in my opinion sounds better and that's what most people play. if you are more into creating your own music than go a keyboard cause you can hook that to your computer. basically a keyboard can easily be moved around and a piano is stuck in place, unless you get a few people to help you move it. just depends on what you want to do.

Answer 5

A piano is a manual instrument and a keyboard is an electrical instrument that has different sounds, beats, sound effects and more and you can also record.

Answer 6

What Is A Piano

Answer 7

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Answer 8

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