| There are many different questions when it comes | | | | keys on the keyboard have the same feel and |
| to buying a keyboard. How much should I pay, how | | | | weight as keys on a standard piano. A lot of trained |
| many keys it needs and so on. A lot of it really | | | | pianists will go this route, myself included. I don’t |
| depends on the buyer and your own personal | | | | like to use synth style keys but that’s entirely |
| preference. The best way to tell if the keyboard is | | | | my personal taste. One of the benefits of playing on |
| right for you is if it “feels” right. But, in saying | | | | a keyboard with weighted keys is that if you never |
| that, there are a few simple guidelines that can help | | | | played an acoustic piano before you should easily be |
| you out come purchase time. | | | | able to adjust quickly because your hands will be |
| One of the great things about having so many | | | | used to it. Synth style keys also have their |
| different keyboards to choose from is that you can | | | | advantages. Because they’re not weighted |
| find one at a suitable price. The first thing is you | | | | it’s a lot easier to play them faster. |
| want to make sure the keyboard actually works. The | | | | Another important aspect is the velocity and after |
| problem with keyboards is that as they get older | | | | touch of the keyboard. Velocity refers to whether |
| they tend to decay a bit. So be careful buying a | | | | how hard you hit the keys affects how loud the |
| keyboard before you’ve actually played it and | | | | sound that comes out, so that if you lightly touch |
| checked the keys, all the buttons and so on. | | | | the keyboard you will get a nice quite sound. Similarly |
| The next step is looking at how many keys it has. | | | | if you hit down hard you will get a nice loud reaction. |
| I’m often asked “how many keys should I | | | | After touch refers to the sensitivity to the sound |
| get?” The answer is really down to personal | | | | and touch after you hit the note and hold it down. If |
| preference and what exactly you’re using your | | | | you play a note and you want it to ring the way an |
| keyboard for. My advice is to get a keyboard with | | | | acoustic piano does, after touch is very important. |
| the full 88 keys. But 76 and even 61 will usually be | | | | Personally I believe that velocity and after touch is |
| enough. If you have the choice I think either 88 or | | | | VERY important and any keyboard you have should |
| 76 keys is best. If you were just using a small range | | | | really have these things catered for. |
| of the keyboard and it’s more for recording | | | | So there are a lot of things to consider when looking |
| interesting samples and so on, then fewer keys is | | | | at keyboards. Ultimately I believe a lot of it comes |
| fine. Most professionals will use 88 keys. | | | | down to personal taste and what your instincts tell |
| The next thing to look at is weighted keys or | | | | you about the keyboard itself. Remember, you want |
| “synth” action. This means what the feel of | | | | it to be something that you can spend a lot of time |
| the actual keys is like. This again really depends on | | | | on so make sure that you are completely happy with |
| personal taste. Weighted keys: this means that the | | | | what you end up with. |