Digital Keyboards » electric

10 Things You Might Not Know About the Electric Keyboard

Wed, 23 Dec 2009 06:40:09 +0000

1. Some of you may think of someone playing the electronic keyboard as a “pianist”. Well you’d be wrong. They would actually be referred to (by someone who knows what they are talking about) as a “keyboardist”. Sounds clumsy, but it’s true.
2. The term “electronic keyboard” is used to mainly describe the cheap end portable home sequencing keyboards, but is also commonly used to include many variants such as the digital piano, the synthesizer, the electric organ and the arranger keyboard.
3. Many electronic keyboards commonly use MIDI signals to send and receive musical data. MIDI is essentially a sequence of instructions that identify the sound used, the note pressed, the duration of that press, although the complexity of the MIDI system will vary with each keyboard. Some cheaper end models of electric keyboard (such as keyboard toys) simply will not output that data.
4. Many keyboards have the ability to add a “foot switch” or “sustain pedal” as it is commonly referred to. The application of the foot switch enables a pressed note to “ring” for longer and better replicate the sounds of many keyboard based instruments including the organ and the piano.
5. Electronic keyboards across the world have been commonly built by instrument manufacturers such as Alesis, Casio, Ensoniq, E-mu, Kawai, Ketron, Korg, Kurzweil Music Systems, M-Audio, Moog Music, Ne-Ko, Roland, Technics, Yamaha and Sonic to name but a few!
6. Features that keyboardists would be interested in when choosing a keyboard include touch response, after touch, polyphony (the number of notes that can be played at the same time), multi-timbre (playing more than one instrument at the same time), tempo, split point (the ability to split the playing area into different instruments), style, synchronisation, auto harmony, wheels and knobs (to control and vary different features on the keyboard) and response (weighted or spring loaded).
7. Synthesizers are actually slightly different from the standard electronic keyboard in that they can produce a variety of sounds by generating, combining and distorting signals of different frequencies. Unlike the keyboard, the synthesizer produces an electric signal (rather than an acoustic signal) which can then be played through an amplifier of some kind. Synthesizers are most commonly controlled by a keyboard device, although this is often integrated into the machinery.
8. Perhaps the most infamous synthesizer is the Moog Synthesizer, famous for its role in many 1970s and 1980s pop hits and popularly used by artists such as Jean Michelle Jarre and Duran Duran.
9. The earliest incarnations of the non-electric keyboard are the pipe organ, the hurdy gurdy and the harpsichord. The organ is the oldest of these from perhaps as early as the third century AD.
10. The first keyboard to be powered by electricity is said to be the “Ondes Martenot” which appeared in the early 20th century (approx. 1928). It is actually still played today in some French conservatoires thanks to some compositions written specifically for the Ondes Martenot. It produces eerie wavering notes and was produced by “varying the frequency of oscillation in thermionic valves”. Whatever than means…

Everybody Can Learn To Play The Piano With The Yamaha YPG 625 Keyboard

Wed, 23 Dec 2009 05:09:44 +0000

The Yamaha YPG 625 keyboard has a new voice technology and this has attracted the masses towards it. This keyboard debuted in the year 2006. This is a portable keyboard which is better than its predecessors. Before this the DGX keyboards were available, the YPG replaced the DGX with its brand new features. The best thing about this keyboard is that it has 88 keys for different actions. The 88 key keyboard is a first for the Yamaha brand at this price. The piano has a real acoustic feel to it. New and debut piano players will be delighted with all the features of the keyboard.It is a lot better than light weighted keyboards. The Yamaha YPG 625 also has a 6 track sequencer. If you have a hidden composer or arranger within you then the sequencer on this keyboard will be extremely helpful. It also has polyphony of 32 notes. This keyboard also has an authentic piano touch. In the lower end it is quite heavy and it gets lighter in the higher portion. Another good quality of the keyboard is that it is very responsive. It also has a built in recorder and it works really well and is easy to use.Another great feature is the education suite that is presented by Yamaha itself from within the keyboard. It also has USB connectivity which is ideal for transferring files to and from a PC or laptop. The keyboard also comes with a wooden stand, power adapter as well as a sustain pedal. The Yamaha YPG 625 has another great feature. It has almost 500 instrument voices that are realistic and has a song arranger which is quite easy to handle.

The Yamaha Electronic Piano: Immerse Yourself In The Melody

Wed, 23 Dec 2009 02:33:59 +0000

Electronic pianos are becoming very popular day by day as they are portable and have a more manageable size and of the various kinds of pianos that are sold, the Yamaha Electronic Piano is the number one bestseller and has been so for quite some time.The Yamaha range is a vast one and there are many different kinds of models to choose from. One model features 61 keys, headphone jack, tonal volume and controls, controls such as treble, bass, tremolo, decay, pitch etc while the weight is around 89 pounds. On top of that there are added freebies like sustain pedal and a travel case.Since it is rugged and extremely portable, it offers a blend of good looks with functionality and also boasts qualities like sound variety, expression and touch. With real ease you can choose to shift between or flit between different color sounds on the very same keyboard. Although this piano is an electronic one, while playing on the keyboard you will get the feel of playing on an acoustic piano because the sound and feel of the keyboard is similar.Another feature is that almost all the electronic pianos in this range are velocity sensitive or touch sensitive. When you strike hard it will produce a crashing note and if you strike softly, the note produced will be softer. However, the actions are not complicated and the features are extremely user friendly.Most reviewers have rated the Yamaha Electronic Piano range very high and at times 5 out of 5 stars from learned reviewers. The range does not have any cons as such but some reviewers do feel that the pianos could have added a few more voices.But the pros will outclass the cons. You are getting excellent value for money, there is a graded keyboard feel, there are features like dual voice mode, onboard MIDI sequencer, 64 notes polyphony and the sound produced by the Yamaha Electronic Piano is a crisp dynamic electric sound with an acoustic feel.

The Advantages Of Electronic Pianos Over Acoustic Upright Pianos

Wed, 23 Dec 2009 01:59:19 +0000

Many years ago, almost every household used to have an upright piano. People took music lessons with a piano teacher. These pianos took a lot of space and had to be tuned from time to time, otherwise they would sound horrible. Today there are a lots of electronic pianos, which do not have this kind of problem and are also quite cost effective. A big advantage of choosing an electronic piano is that they are not expensive. They also do not require tuning and as they weigh less they can be moved easily from place to place. You can even buy a piano that will match your furniture at home.Before you buy one, you need to consider a few thing things. The first thing you need to check is whether it actually sounds like a piano. Also, check out the other sounds other than the piano sound. Many of these keyboards include sounds of different musical instruments as well so check them out. There are some models that will also provide drum sounds. The next thing you need to look for is that whether the piano has weighted keys. These weighted keys will make your electronic piano sound and feel real. If your child is learning to play then the option of weighted keys is a really a necessary one.Most electronic pianos have a midi sequencer onboard. The sequencer will help you record whatever you play. This will help you when you are composing and playing back music pieces. You can play tracks you have recorded later whenever you need it. The next thing to look for is whether the instrument has a built in sound system or whether you have to connect speakers to it to hear the sound. The final thing you need to look for is whether it as an 88 note keyboard. Acoustic upright pianos always have 88 notes. Sometimes, low priced instruments have fewer notes. Popular sizes are 49 note, 61 note and 76 note keyboards.

The MIDI Controls On An Electronic Piano Keyboard

Wed, 23 Dec 2009 00:39:39 +0000

Almost all electronic piano keyboard functions have MIDI controls. They use an interface to send data as well as receive data. Now what is this data thats sent or received by these controls. For the simplest type of keyboard, data would be sent at the moment you press a key on a keyboard. These signals would then determine the specific note that has been pressed and the duration of the act or pressing down of the note. The duration has to be acknowledged because the amount of time the key is being pressed down for; has to be the same on the receiver or other keyboard source. Along with this signal there are other factors working which enables the success of the MIDI control. Each key that you touch has a sensor to it. Now, the function of this touch sensor is to sense the amount pressure that is being applied to the key and according the depth of sound produced, that note will vary. For more pressure the sound will be deeper while for less pressure it will be mild. Previously, only professional digital keyboards included MIDI. However, today all the electronic piano keyboards use it for effective sound production. The main purpose of the MIDI on an electronic piano keyboard is actually to produce a variety of sounds rather than just improving the quality of sound. This function is often preferred, as it enables the user to produce a variety of digital effects in the music he or she is playing. You can have effects like delay, reverberation, tremolo and the very common chorus effect. These effects help enhance the sound sensation of your music and therefore create different registers of track in the listener. Also, auto harmony can be used to create complemental notes of each single note at any pitch possible. There are also the modulation and pitch wheels that are added benefits along with the sustain pedals which help hold the notes for as long as necessary.Before MIDI was a common feature, keyboards were quite boring but now, every electronic piano keyboard can be used to produce a wide variety of sounds and effects.

Purchasing Used Electronic Pianos

Tue, 22 Dec 2009 23:59:41 +0000

Electronic pianos are keyboard instruments are designed so they can simulate the timbre of an acoustic piano by using an electronic circuit. Pianos were widely used musical instruments in the old days. Almost every house had a piano. Pianos were the most popular musical instruments all through the 18th century and even after that. It was as late as the 20th century that the use of the electronic pianos came into existence. Electronic pianos were widely used and now, there are many used electronic pianos available for sale. The best part of the electronic piano is that they do not require tuning. The traditional pianos had to be tuned from time to time so that the sound quality remained the best.Used electronic pianos do not have to be tuned and hence they can be used as is. The used electronic pianos will be available in all the shops that sell musical instruments. But before you buy used electronic pianos make sure that you know what you want, like size, colour, weighted keys. Just do a bit of homework first. If you feel that you are a beginner and do not know much about pianos then it will always be better to take somebody with you who will be able to identify a used electronic piano as a good one. The advantage of buying used electronic pianos is that you do not have to pay the original price and you can save a lot of money.Beginners can start with a used electronic piano, and later, when you become an expert you can always get a new piano for yourself. You can also find used electronic pianos on the internet; there are many websites that will give great offers on used pianos. Just use the same kind of common sense you would on the high street and you could well pick up an incredible deal, and there’s a lot out there, you just have to find them.

Yamaha Digital Piano: An Overall Look

Tue, 22 Dec 2009 13:35:28 +0000

Since the Yamaha digital piano came into existence, many people have liked it and are particularly fond of this brand. It has remained the favorite of many musicians. There are many musicians who choose the Yamaha digital piano over the other brands present in the market. The Yamaha digital piano has been treated with great respect all over the world. There are various models of Yamaha digital pianos you just need to choose the right one for you according to your needs. You must be sure what features you want in your digital piano and then choose from those models.The Yamaha digital piano has many advantages. Firstly, the cost of the digital piano is considerably less than an acoustic piano. Digital pianos are also quite easy to handle and light to carry, which is especially useful for the working musician. A Yamaha digital piano does not even require tuning like older models of the pianos. These pianos also have another great advantage, they come with headphones, if you connect the headphones only you can hear the sound, and this is great for beginners and advance players alike, because there’s no chance of disturbing anybody who is not a music lover. Another great feature of the piano is that it has a MIDI. The MIDI is expandable. So you can connect your piano to other devices that have MIDI like, computers and other music keyboards.You will find a wide range of Yamaha digital pianos on the internet. The Yamaha digital piano can be used in schools, home, churches, and even on stage and other places where you can compose your own music. The Yamaha digital piano has an interesting feature which is known as the graded hammer effect. This particular feature gives the same grand feeling of playing music that is available with acoustic and grand pianos. There are heavy as well as light keys wherever required and the right combination gives the right feel and sound.