The main distinction between a keyboard and a piano is that a keyboard is an electronic instrument with various volume options, while a piano is an acoustic instrument that produces and amplifies sound physically. Although pianos and keyboards are similar musical instruments, their differences include the size, portability, and number of keys.
Key Takeaways
- A keyboard is an electronic instrument with a variety of sounds and volume options, whereas a piano is an acoustic instrument with a more limited range of sounds.
- Keyboards are generally smaller, lighter, and more portable than pianos, which are larger, heavier, and more difficult to move.
- Pianos typically have more keys than keyboards, with the standard piano having 88 keys while keyboards often have 61 keys.
What is a Keyboard?
Keyboards are electronic musical instruments that generate sound through synthesizers. They have low-wattage power amplifiers and small loudspeakers, and they can be used to play a wide range of music, from classical to rock. Keyboards usually have 61 keys and are lighter and more portable than pianos. They do not have weighted keys but offer a wide variety of sounds that can be customized, making them ideal for use in the recording or production industry.
Keyboards are popular among beginners and multi-instrumentalists who like to experiment with various sounds. There are several types of keyboards, including arranger keyboards with more features and a USB port for recording and saving music on a computer, and workstation keyboards with composing, recording, and production features. Electronic organs that produce sounds similar to traditional pipe organs are also considered a type of keyboard.
What is a Piano?
A piano is a stringed keyboard instrument that creates sound through strings and hammers. When you press a key, a small wooden hammer strikes the corresponding strings, producing sound. Pianos have three pedals: the damper or sustain pedal, which prolongs a sound when a key is hit; the sostenuto pedal, which acts as a selective damper; and the una corda or soft pedal, which shifts and hits the hammers to one of each note’s strings. Upright pianos, which are less visually appealing and take up less space than grand pianos, usually have only two pedals.
Pianos have several ancestry instruments, including the harpsichord and monochord, but are believed to mainly descend from monochords. They can be described as both string and percussion instruments since the sound is created by vibrating strings that are struck by wooden hammers. The piano was invented in 1709 by Bartolomeo Cristofori and was initially called piano e forte. It was later shortened to pianoforte and eventually became known as the piano.
Modern pianos typically have 88 keys, although some have 92 to 102 keys. In 2018, Stuart and Sons introduced the world’s first piano with 108 keys. Pianos usually require tuning several times a year, depending on their usage and age.
What is the Difference Between Keyboard and Piano?
The key difference between a keyboard and a piano is that the keyboard is an electronic instrument with various volume options, while the piano is an acoustic instrument that produces and amplifies sound physically. Generally, keyboards are small, light, and portable, whereas pianos are large, heavy, and difficult to move.
Summary – Keyboard vs Piano
A keyboard is an electronic musical instrument that creates sound through synthesizers. They are lightweight, portable, cheaper, and capable of producing a wide variety of sounds. In contrast, a piano is a stringed keyboard instrument that creates sound through strings and hammers. Pianos are heavy, less portable, and more expensive. This summary highlights the differences between keyboards and pianos.
