Piano Guidance
Photo by Lucas Pezeta Pexels Logo Photo: Lucas Pezeta

Are heavier keys better piano?

WHY ARE WEIGHTED KEYS BETTER FOR BEGINNERS THAN THOSE OF A KEYBOARD? Weighted keys will bring the beginner pianist closer to that of an acoustic piano, helping them feel the sensitivity required to push down the keys with different levels of control, as opposed to those on most keyboards that are unweighted.

Why did the British ban the playing of hand drums?
Why did the British ban the playing of hand drums?

In 1877, the ruling British government banned the drums in an effort to suppress the prominent African culture. Bamboo tubes, called tamboo bamboo,...

Read More »
What is God sound?
What is God sound?

The Sound of God…. is OM. To be exact, it was His first intonation, which created the expanding universe, and keeps it all together and humming...

Read More »

Weighted keys are a feature that digital pianos (and some keyboards/portable pianos) include in their design to help mimic the action of an acoustic piano. You can see from the example above that by pressing a key on an acoustic grand piano, a series of mechanical parts are set into motion with the aim of throwing a hammer at the string(s). This creates the familiar sound of a piano and provides a pianist with the level of control that is required to produce an array of expressive possibilities.

WHY ARE WEIGHTED KEYS BETTER FOR BEGINNERS THAN THOSE OF A KEYBOARD?

Weighted keys will bring the beginner pianist closer to that of an acoustic piano, helping them feel the sensitivity required to push down the keys with different levels of control, as opposed to those on most keyboards that are unweighted. Unweighted keys do not provide the resistance that is needed to develop piano playing skills. To make a good start in developing their piano technique, the learner needs to feel that they are pushing against they key to play a note, and also experience the sensation of the key pushing back up when returning to its resting position. On a larger scale, this is a little like the sensation of being sat on one end of a seesaw. The unweighted keys that you get on many keyboards, don't provide this sensation, and will result in a pupil practising on an instrument that doesn't resemble the key resistance of an acoustic piano. This often presents them with quite a shock when they start to play for their teacher on a weighted action for instance. The evenness of their playing can be affected due to their fingers not building up the strength to move from one key to another, which in turn will also affect the dynamic level and tone they produce from the instrument.

WHAT SORT OF PIANO WOULD BE GOOD FOR A BEGINNER ON A BUDGET?

For beginners who are on a budget, and/or may be limited for space, they may like to consider an instrument that is portable like a keyboard, but includes the type of weighted action that has been spoken about above. Many manufacturers offer a beginner 'entry range' of portable, weighted keyed instruments that provide a good basis for building a piano technique. One such instrument (at a very affordable price I might add) is the Casio CDP-S90. See the short video below for an overview:

Why are piano players good at math?
Why are piano players good at math?

Playing the piano improves your mathematical ability. Notes and rhythms, as well as music theory, are based on math. Reading music and counting...

Read More »
What is a self-taught pianist?
What is a self-taught pianist?

We could say he is a self-taught pianist: he is an example that you can teach piano at home for yourself, listening to music, learning how to read...

Read More »

At what age does your voice stop changing?
At what age does your voice stop changing?

Between the ages of 18 and 21, your voice stabilizes because the vocal folds and larynx have reached their full growth. While there can be some...

Read More »
What is Ariana's highest note?
What is Ariana's highest note?

Yes, she is a Light Lyric Soprano. What is Ariana Grande's highest note? Ariana's highest note is an E7, the second E above Soprano C, or the E...

Read More »
How many people do you need to move an upright piano?
How many people do you need to move an upright piano?

A classic upright piano typically weighs between 500 and 800 pounds. It usually takes at least four people to move an upright piano. Feb 26, 2016

Read More »
Why is minor key sad?
Why is minor key sad?

The 3rd of the triad is lower in a minor chord, which means it is closer to the tonic (the first and most important note of whatever key the music...

Read More »