The keyboards hold a very special place among music lovers and in history. Since the first keyboard instrument came into the picture, the device has been an integral part of classical music. And over the years, many different genres have used this instrument, be it during a film score, a concerto, ballet, or band music.
There has been significant growth in the market for acoustic pianos and keyboards in recent times. There also are many variations of the instrument available today. So, if you are planning to buy one, it is wise to consider the following factors first:
1. Action
The action is a vital element of keyboards as it helps translate the player’s touch into musical notes. The action also denotes how well the keys on the instrument will respond to your touch. The keys will fall more easily in a light-action instrument, while you have to put more effort into getting the desired sound if the action is heavy.
Each keyboard model has different firmness and resistance, which impacts its action. And even though it is easier to play on an instrument with unweighted keys, beginners should practice on heavy weighted keys first.
2. Sound
Of course, when you are buying a musical instrument, the sound will be an essential factor. And even though keyboards are a modern variation of the classical piano and have pre-recorded sounds, you can still consider a few things. So getting the keyboardfrom a reputed brand will ensure its sound is similar to an actual piano.
You can also determine the quality of sound from factors like polyphony, which is the number of sounds an instrument can produce at a single time. So this will be useful when trying to play a cord with multiple notes, and ideally, you should choose an instrument that can play a four-note polyphone at the least.
Another factor is multitimbrality which allows the instrument to produce the sounds of other instruments. And popular samples include the sound of strings (guitar, cello, violin), drums, and woodwinds.
3. Size
There is no hard and fast rule for choosing the size of the keyboards. It all comes down to your personal preference and purpose for getting the instrument. However, you can follow a few general guidelines if this is your first time.
For instance, if you are an adult planning to take your first piano lessons, a full-sized one with weighted keys is the best option. However, there will be lesser options for sound on such keyboards. As such, a smaller instrument with unweighted keys will suffice for those inclined towards electronic music.
4. Computer and MIDI Compatibility
Since keyboards are electrical devices that come with pre-recorded sounds, it is better to get one compatible with a MIDI. Otherwise, you might miss out on the feeling of playing an actual piano. With the MIDI controller by your side, it would be very easy to replicate the sounds of the real instrument, and it will also give you a more realistic feeling, making the entire experience more enjoyable.
Simultaneously, making sure that it is compatible with your computer will later allow you to create your own music. This is even useful if you are a beginner, as it will save you the hassle of having to upgrade it later.
Keyboards are beautiful instruments that have been part of human civilisation for a long time. With its contribution to many popular music genres, the instrument has a special place in the hearts of music lovers and students worldwide. As such, getting your first instrument is always special, and you do not want to make any mistakes in this regard. Therefore, keep the above factors in mind, and you can easily choose the most suitable option from a variety of keyboards on the market.
Read also: avple
