I’m often asked whether a keyboard is suitable for piano lessons. The short answer is no. Keyboard playing differs from piano playing in several key ways. However, it’s possible to start on a keyboard and transition to a piano later on. I made this transition myself, and my early keyboard experience laid the foundation for my piano studies in ways I didn’t fully appreciate at the time.
So, what’s the difference between playing a keyboard and playing a piano?
When playing a keyboard, you typically play a melody along with an auto-accompaniment. The accompaniments come in various styles, and you play chords with the left hand to accompany the melody. More advanced keyboards will offer better quality sounds and accompaniments, as well as additional features to enhance performance. For beginners, an entry-level keyboard will suffice, and as you progress, you may need one with more advanced features.
A keyboard is a great choice if you’re interested in playing contemporary styles and enjoy the auto accompaniments, different instrument sounds, and other effects. However, if you know that your primary interest is the piano, a keyboard can only take you so far.
In contrast, when playing the piano, everything is played by hand. The piano offers a much wider range of keys, and the keys themselves are heavier than those on a keyboard, requiring greater control. The volume of each key is directly influenced by the force with which you play it, allowing for a greater range of expression. (While many keyboards feature ‘touch sensitivity’ to simulate this effect, the keys are still lighter than those on an acoustic piano.)
The marketplace is full of various types of pianos these days, ranging from traditional acoustic pianos to a range of digital options. Here are the main choices available:
Acoustic grand or upright
Digital grand or upright
Stage piano (these often resemble keyboards)
Hybrid piano (a digital piano with an action similar to that of an acoustic piano)
Silent piano (an acoustic piano with digital functionality)
When choosing which type to buy, there are many factors to consider, including space, budget, and proximity to neighbors. Your teacher and local piano dealers will be excellent sources of advice. Above all, you should choose an instrument that sounds good and is enjoyable to play.
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