Playing a musical instrument takes time and practice to perfect. There are different types of keyboard instruments, from piano to organ, accordion to a harpsichord. For the purpose of this article, we will focus on two types, in particular, the midi keyboard and the piano, and touch briefly on the synthesizer. We will discuss their trademarks and variations as well as note the pros and cons of each. So, let’s begin by answering the following question…
Midi keyboard vs piano, what is the difference? The main difference between a midi keyboard and a piano is this – a piano is an acoustic instrument with weighted keys whereas a keyboard is an electronic instrument that requires a power source and has either weighted or unweighted keys.
Both the midi keyboard and the piano have distinctive features that contribute to their musical appeal. The weighted keys of a piano, for example, are great for developing finger ‘strength’ which enhances performing technique. Also, the notes on a piano have a ‘richness’ of sound, unique to this instrument.
A midi keyboard, on the other hand, is more versatile, with the ability to add other instrument sounds. There are often hundreds of different sounds to choose from to create a distinctive musical experience. To learn more about the midi keyboard, in relation to the piano (and the synthesizer), please continue to read on…
What Is Better Piano Or Keyboard?
Each musical instrument, whether it be a piano or a keyboard, has both its positive and negative attributes. A piano, with its weighted keys, is great for developing the strong, fingering technique, essential to playing any instrument (and playing it well)! However, pianos require regular tuning, which can be costly to maintain. They are also more expensive than keyboards, ranging from $3,000 for entry-level types all the way to tens of thousands of dollars for the top-of-the-line models!
Electronic keyboards, on the other hand, are more affordable and the non-weighted keys can make it easier to learn, especially for beginners. They also never require tuning and can be connected to a computer or iPad, opening up a wider range of musical possibilities. The downside, however, comes with cheaper keyboards that do not have weighted keys, which are needed to play a wide range of notes, from loud to soft and anywhere in between!
If you decide to purchase a keyboard instead, it is a good idea to get one that is almost like a piano. A good example of this is the Yamaha YDP-V240 Arius 88-Key Digital Piano. It is a digital piano that features a weighted, eighty-eight note graded hammer action. It has the authentic look, feel and sound of an expensive acoustic Grand piano. Here is a link to my keyboard selection article for additional information.
How Many Octaves Does A Piano Have?
A piano has seven octaves. Almost all modern pianos have fifty-two white keys and thirty-six black keys for a total of eighty-eight keys. Older-style pianos may have only fifty-five keys. Keyboards have varying octave ranges depending on the number of keys. A 25-key version has two octaves, a 49-key type has four octaves, a 61-key style has five octaves and a 76-key option has six octaves.
The more octave ranges a keyboard has, the more variety of music you will be able to play. The minimum amount usually recommended by instructors is five octaves. Therefore, purchasing a keyboard to practice piano skills on anything less than a 61-keyer will not allow you to fully develop your classical music playing ability.
What Is A Midi Keyboard?
Midi is short for ‘Musical Instrument Digital Interface’. A midi keyboard is a piano-style, electronic musical instrument. It uses buttons, wheels and sliders to send midi signals over a USB to other musical devices connected to and operating on the same midi protocol. The basic midi keyboard does not produce sounds on its own, as it lacks an onboard sound engine. Rather, it sends signals to a receiving device that creates sounds through synthesis or playback.
Midi keyboards have keys that are meant to ‘mimic’ those of a piano, organ or synthesizer. They are available in a wide range of sizes and key ranges, each with its own set of pros and cons. These include the following:
25-key version
This is the smallest type of midi keyboard. It is light and portable but only suited for one-handed piano pieces (the basslines, for example).
49-key version
This is the smallest keyboard that can play two-handed piano pieces.
61-key version
This style can play two-handed piano pieces effectively and provides a wider range of key notes.
88-key version
This type has a full key range reminiscent of an acoustic piano. It is considered the ‘gold standard’ of keyboards but is heavy and not easily transported.
The most common types include the 49-key and the 61-key versions. They are also available in ‘uncommon’ key versions including the 32/37-key and the 71/76-key styles. These provide a greater range than the 25-key or 61-key types.
Midi keyboards have different ‘action types’, which gives it a particular ‘feel’. These types include the following:
Synth Action
This is an unweighted version that is usually spring-loaded and good for playing quickly. Since there is less effort required to depress the keys, it is often ideal for beginners or those with minimal piano-playing experience.
Semi-weighted Action
With a slight increase in key resistance, this type is similar to the synth style. It allows for more dynamic play action on song areas that are velocity-sensitive.
Waterfall Key Style
This keyboard is a semi-weighted type with smooth, rounded-out edges. It is designed to emulate organ-style keys and best suited for organ-specific playing techniques.
Hammer Action
This is a fully-weighted keyboard with piano-style action. It is designed to mimic an acoustic piano, with increased key resistance, and ideal for playing classical, chamber or jazz music pieces. Graded hammer action features keys that increase in weight as you move down the keyboard from high to low, similar to that of a grand piano. Graded hammer action with wood is the closest in feel to an acoustic piano as it contains wooden key cores.
All of the examples above, with the exception of the waterfall key style, will include a ‘lip’ that sticks out from the top of the distal end on the white keys. This is designed to simulate a detail found on acoustic piano keys. Any keyboard with a ‘hammer’ action (keys in the upper register and lighter than those of the lower register) will include this lip feature.
Midi controllers also have the capability of accepting foot control devices, such as piano pedals, expression pedals, organ-style pedals and stomp boxes. To conclude, midi keyboards are an essential part of any home studio. They are versatile, affordable and offer a wide range of musical possibilities, from editing to song arrangement.
Midi Controller vs Keyboard
When it comes to choosing between a midi controller and a keyboard, there are some points to consider beforehand. A midi controller is simply a keyboard. There are no sounds ‘built into’ it per se so an external source, such as a computer, is required. A computer will allow you to edit the sounds while a USB port will remove the need for a separate interference. Midi controllers allow you to change the tone of a song as well as the volume level, using a software application.
A keyboard, on the other hand, is an instrument on its own and therefore does not require any additional equipment to produce songs. If you are used to weighted-keys then you will likely prefer a keyboard over a midi controller. Similar to a piano, the harder you press the keys, the more velocity you incur. Keyboards are also portable and offer more options and controls than a midi controller.
The best way to choose is to check out my buyer’s guide link.
Synthesizer vs Keyboard
A commonly-asked question by musicians is “What is the difference between a synthesizer and a keyboard?” Obviously, both are types of musical instruments. The difference lies in the way they are operated.
A synthesizer is an electronic instrument that creates unique sounds which are called timbres. Unlike a keyboard, it can create its own sounds by generating audio signals and then converting them. It is more versatile than a keyboard and provides a large array of sounds (both natural and electronic) by simply turning a knob!
A keyboard is usually smaller than a synthesizer and more compact. It does not electronically produce its own unique sounds, but rather includes pre-set sounds that have been previously installed by the manufacturer. These sounds are readily available to the user for whatever musical purpose necessary. The keys can be either weighted or unweighted, depending on the style, whereas those of the synthesizer are unweighted.
To choose between the two requires you to know exactly what purpose the instrument is meant to serve. If you are a classical music student studying piano, for example, you will want to purchase a weighted keyboard. If you are a music producer, on the other hand, and you are interested in creating electronic dance tunes, then a synthesizer is the better choice for you.
Can You Learn Piano on a Synthesizer?
Yes, you can learn to play traditional styles of music including blues, jazz and classical piano tunes on a synthesizer. However, as with other keyboards, you will not develop the strong fingering technique required unless you purchase a synthesizer with weighted keys. As well, your sense of velocity (how fast or hard the keys are pressed) and its importance to the tone, quality, and emotion of the music will not progress as well practicing on a synthesizer instead of a piano.
How Many Keys do I Need to Learn Piano?
A full acoustic piano has eighty-eight keys. However, keyboards range in key amounts starting at twenty-five. Since each musician progresses at his or her own individual pace, it is recommended to have a keyboard consisting of at least sixty-one keys (and five octaves). Anything less would need to be replaced within a year, as your skill level increases. A seventy-six key type is even better, as it will last you longer and accommodate your growing musical development.
Is 49 keys enough to Learn Piano?
The answer to the question, “is 49 keys enough to learn piano?” is yes (but only if you are a beginner). When you are first learning to play, there is a lot of repetition that often does not require more than a 49-key instrument. However, as you practice and progress you will soon run out of left-hand options, requiring you to modify song parts in order to make them work on a 49-keyer.
If you only want to play single-note bass lines or simple melodies, then a 49-key version is fine. If you want to play a full range of music using both hands at the same time, then you are better off purchasing a 61-keyer (with a five-octave range) instead. It is possible to work around a shorter keyboard using splits and maps, etc. to add low bass octaves but it is often more trouble than it is worth!
More important than the key amount is the key weight. Because so much of piano-playing involves velocity and its significance to specific song pieces, an unweighted or low-weighted keyboard is a definite drawback! The finger-force needed to create dynamics in piano-playing will never truly develop with an unweighted keyboard.
Is 61 Keys enough to Learn Piano?
The answer to the question, “is 61 keys enough to learn piano?” is yes, if you are an intermediate player. It is definitely better than the 49-key version and is the minimum amount of keys recommended by many piano instructors. They have the same notes as an 88-key option but with a shorter range (only five octaves as opposed to seven with the 88-keyer). It will accommodate both your recreational piano playing needs as well your developing professional skills.
The downside of a 61-key version lies in learning classical music pieces, which often require a wider octave range available on the 88-key types. The 61-key versions are available to provide students with a lower cost, smaller space option to practice piano. Typically, however, they lack the proper key weight needed to develop the strong fingering techniques required.
If you are truly committed to developing your skills as a musician, it is best to purchase the 88-key, full-weighted version, if an acoustic piano is not an option due to budget restrictions or space limitations. The 88-key type will grow with your skill development and save you money in the long run by not having to upgrade every few years!
Conclusion
In conclusion, there are many different options to choose from when learning to play a keyed instrument. Each has its own set of benefits and disadvantages. A piano is different than a midi keyboard. For learning purposes, most professionals would recommend a piano, as the weighted keys better develop the necessary finger strength needed to play well.
A midi keyboard goes ‘above and beyond’ music in the sense that you can create multiple sound and instrument combinations with one piece of equipment. Its versatility is what makes it so appealing. It allows you to arrange, edit and play back an entire score using only one instrument. Simply put, a midi helps to improve your musical performances in less time.
The very minimum key requirement you should purchase to practice your piano skills is a 61-key version. It is often cheaper than an acoustic piano and takes up less space as well. It will contain the same notes as the 88-key type but with five octaves instead of seven. It is the minimum key amount recommended by most music instructors and will help you progress from a novice student to an intermediate or advancing player.
When purchasing an instrument, whether it be a midi keyboard, synthesizer or acoustic piano, it is always best to speak to a trained professional first. You can ask important questions and the answers will help you determine which type best suits your individual needs and goals. Trying out the instrument before buying is also recommended. This will ensure that both the size and feel of the instrument appeal to you. Check out my buyer’s guide link for additional information.
Be sure to take your time and do your research before choosing a midi keyboard, piano or synthesizer. Whatever instrument you decide to go with should reflect both your personal style and your musical aspirations. Good luck in your future endeavors. And also, remember what American musician, singer-songwriter Tom Lehrer once said, “Life is like a piano. What you get out of it depends on how you play it.”
