WHAT IS WHAT?
Are you confused with the terms "Piano" and "Keyboard"? Or Pop Piano and 'Normal' Classical Piano? Or the difference between a Digital Piano and a Portable
Keyboard?
Firstly, let's not be confused with the physical instrument and the style of playing.
When we say the different physical instruments, it means ...
Are you confused with the terms "Piano" and "Keyboard"? Or Pop Piano and 'Normal' Classical Piano? Or the difference between a Digital Piano and a Portable
Keyboard?
Firstly, let's not be confused with the physical instrument and the style of playing.
When we say the different physical instruments, it means ...
Instruments:
Acoustic Piano
Upright Piano
Portable Piano/Keyboard
Grand Piano
Digital Piano
Keyboard
Synthesizer
Etc...
Acoustic Piano
Upright Piano
Portable Piano/Keyboard
Grand Piano
Digital Piano
Keyboard
Synthesizer
Etc...
When we say the different styles of playing, it means ...
Styles of playing:
Classical Piano
Contemporary Piano includes:
Pop Piano
Rock Piano
R&B Piano
Jazz Piano
New Age Piano
Blues/Funk Piano
Pop Keyboard
Etc...
Classical Piano
Contemporary Piano includes:
Pop Piano
Rock Piano
R&B Piano
Jazz Piano
New Age Piano
Blues/Funk Piano
Pop Keyboard
Etc...
TYPES OF PIANO AND KEYBOARD INSTRUMENTS
Today in the market, there are many new terms like Digital Piano, Digital Keyboard, Clavinova, Portable Keyboard, etc.. All of these terms usually 'overlaps' each
other. Firstly, a real Piano, (or a traditional Piano) is called a Acoustic Piano. When a key is pressed, a hammer strikes a string to produce sound. It doesn't require
electricity to work (well, except for the heater that heats up the piano). There are generally two types of acoustic piano, 1) Upright Piano 2) Grand Piano
Today in the market, there are many new terms like Digital Piano, Digital Keyboard, Clavinova, Portable Keyboard, etc.. All of these terms usually 'overlaps' each
other. Firstly, a real Piano, (or a traditional Piano) is called a Acoustic Piano. When a key is pressed, a hammer strikes a string to produce sound. It doesn't require
electricity to work (well, except for the heater that heats up the piano). There are generally two types of acoustic piano, 1) Upright Piano 2) Grand Piano
Anything else besides a Acoustic Piano that looks like this...
is called a keyboard.
Thus, Digital Pianos, Digital Keyboards, Portable Pianos, Synthesizers, PortaSounds, Clavinovas, Electronic Pianos, Etc... are all called Keyboards! And any
keyboard today that requires electricity to run is already considered Electronic or Digital. Thus you can call it Digital Keyboard, or Electronic Keyboard, it doesn't make
any difference. (Except for the older electronic keyboards below late 80s and other non-mainstream modern keyboards which use analog technology (opposite of Digital) to produce
sounds)
keyboard today that requires electricity to run is already considered Electronic or Digital. Thus you can call it Digital Keyboard, or Electronic Keyboard, it doesn't make
any difference. (Except for the older electronic keyboards below late 80s and other non-mainstream modern keyboards which use analog technology (opposite of Digital) to produce
sounds)
There are three general types of Digital / Electronic keyboards
1) Typical Keyboard or Portable Keyboard (Yamaha calls it PortaSound)
It is usually designed for amateurs or hobbyists playing as a one-band man. The term portable keyboard usually goes with it too
since it's usually portable. It has everything ready, with built in speakers and a variety of sounds. A typical keyboard usually has
the Auto Chord Accompaniment features and Auto Drum Rhythm presets.
2) Piano Simulated Keyboard (Digital Piano, Portable Piano, Electronic Piano, Yamaha calls it Clavinova)
It is usually designed for Pianists who only need the realistic touch and sounds of an acoustic piano. Thus, it usually does not
have other sounds and features in a typical keyboard. However, it is designed to have the best Piano sounds, and
heavy-weighted keys that simulate a real Acoustic Piano.
3) Synthesizer Keyboard
It is usually designed for professionals playing in a group. It offers intensive editing features that allows more realistic and
expressive sounds. A synthesizer usually doesn't have built in speakers and other features like the Auto Chord Accompaniment
and Drum Rhythm presets in a typical keyboard.
It is usually designed for amateurs or hobbyists playing as a one-band man. The term portable keyboard usually goes with it too
since it's usually portable. It has everything ready, with built in speakers and a variety of sounds. A typical keyboard usually has
the Auto Chord Accompaniment features and Auto Drum Rhythm presets.
2) Piano Simulated Keyboard (Digital Piano, Portable Piano, Electronic Piano, Yamaha calls it Clavinova)
It is usually designed for Pianists who only need the realistic touch and sounds of an acoustic piano. Thus, it usually does not
have other sounds and features in a typical keyboard. However, it is designed to have the best Piano sounds, and
heavy-weighted keys that simulate a real Acoustic Piano.
3) Synthesizer Keyboard
It is usually designed for professionals playing in a group. It offers intensive editing features that allows more realistic and
expressive sounds. A synthesizer usually doesn't have built in speakers and other features like the Auto Chord Accompaniment
and Drum Rhythm presets in a typical keyboard.
Each of these 3 general types of keyboards offers different features to suit different needs. Today, certain hybrid keyboards have features that overlap each other.
For instance, some keyboards possess features of a synthesizer and a Digital Piano (like the KORG Triton 88keys). Some high end keyboards even have features
of everything (like the Yamaha CVP Clavinova higher end series).
For instance, some keyboards possess features of a synthesizer and a Digital Piano (like the KORG Triton 88keys). Some high end keyboards even have features
of everything (like the Yamaha CVP Clavinova higher end series).
TYPES OF PLAYING STYLES
Now that you understand the terminology used to describe the different keyboard variants, let's talk about the styles of playing. As mentioned earlier, when we talk
about styles of playing, (for example Pop Piano or Classical Piano), we don't normally refer to the physical instrument. For instance, you can play the 2nd movement
of Sonata (Classical piano style) on a Keyboard, Acoustic Piano, or Digital Piano. Likewise, you can play the latest Jay Chou song on a Keyboard, Acoustic Piano or
Digital Piano/Keyboard, or whatever.. Of course, certain styles will work out better with certain instruments, for instance, Classical Piano style sounds best on a
Acoustic Piano, and Funk Piano style sounds best on a Electronic Piano.
However there are two minor exceptions:
1st exception - sometimes when we say Classical Piano, we may also refer to it as a Acoustic Piano (instrument), due to the fact that Classical music has come a
long way. Nevertheless, the 'proper' term to call a Acoustic Piano is still a Acoustic Piano.
2nd exception - There is one style of playing - Pop Keyboard , that requires the typical portable keyboard as the instrument. The style involves using different sounds
like brass, strings, and drums, etc.. 'Keyboarding' can mean either playing as a one-man band or in a group. When you play the keyboard as a one-man band, you
usually use those that have built-in drum rhythm and Auto Chord accompaniment.
Now that you understand the terminology used to describe the different keyboard variants, let's talk about the styles of playing. As mentioned earlier, when we talk
about styles of playing, (for example Pop Piano or Classical Piano), we don't normally refer to the physical instrument. For instance, you can play the 2nd movement
of Sonata (Classical piano style) on a Keyboard, Acoustic Piano, or Digital Piano. Likewise, you can play the latest Jay Chou song on a Keyboard, Acoustic Piano or
Digital Piano/Keyboard, or whatever.. Of course, certain styles will work out better with certain instruments, for instance, Classical Piano style sounds best on a
Acoustic Piano, and Funk Piano style sounds best on a Electronic Piano.
However there are two minor exceptions:
1st exception - sometimes when we say Classical Piano, we may also refer to it as a Acoustic Piano (instrument), due to the fact that Classical music has come a
long way. Nevertheless, the 'proper' term to call a Acoustic Piano is still a Acoustic Piano.
2nd exception - There is one style of playing - Pop Keyboard , that requires the typical portable keyboard as the instrument. The style involves using different sounds
like brass, strings, and drums, etc.. 'Keyboarding' can mean either playing as a one-man band or in a group. When you play the keyboard as a one-man band, you
usually use those that have built-in drum rhythm and Auto Chord accompaniment.
In a one-man band situation, the drum rhythm will be
triggered automatically. Your left hand will control the
accompaniment by holding the chord notes on the left
side of the keyboard.
Your right hand will playing the melody using the
desired sound (instrument) on the right side of the
keyboard.
The drum rhythm can also be varied by using the fill-in
buttons to add different fill-in patterns, intros and even
endings.
triggered automatically. Your left hand will control the
accompaniment by holding the chord notes on the left
side of the keyboard.
Your right hand will playing the melody using the
desired sound (instrument) on the right side of the
keyboard.
The drum rhythm can also be varied by using the fill-in
buttons to add different fill-in patterns, intros and even
endings.
When you play in a group, like in a rock band or concert band, you do not use the Auto Accompaniment Chord function and the Auto drum rhythm. The reason is
because your band will probably consists of instrumentalist like a drummer, guitarist or bassist to 'cover' the accompaniment section. Thus, a 'synthesizer' is usually
more ideal in a band situation, as it offers no Auto Accompaniment Chord function and the Auto drum rhythm but generally better editing features, and realistic
sounds. When you say you play the keyboards, it can mean either both, 1) playing as a one-man band or 2) playing in a group
So, one of the most common questions we receive is Do you teach keyboards?
This is a very misleading question, as we teach the Pop Piano style of playing on either a Acoustic Piano or a Keyboard.
We can also teach the Pop Keyboard style of playing on a Keyboard too.
because your band will probably consists of instrumentalist like a drummer, guitarist or bassist to 'cover' the accompaniment section. Thus, a 'synthesizer' is usually
more ideal in a band situation, as it offers no Auto Accompaniment Chord function and the Auto drum rhythm but generally better editing features, and realistic
sounds. When you say you play the keyboards, it can mean either both, 1) playing as a one-man band or 2) playing in a group
So, one of the most common questions we receive is Do you teach keyboards?
This is a very misleading question, as we teach the Pop Piano style of playing on either a Acoustic Piano or a Keyboard.
We can also teach the Pop Keyboard style of playing on a Keyboard too.
PLAY BY EAR MUSIC SCHOOL (SINGAPORE) - SPECIALISING IN POP PIANO & JAZZ PIANO IMPROVISATION COURSES FOR ADULTS
ADDRESS: 245A / 245B VICTORIA STREET, BUGIS VILLAGE, SINGAPORE (188032) | TEL: 63387939 | EMAIL: INFO@PLAY-BY-EAR.NET
ADDRESS: 245A / 245B VICTORIA STREET, BUGIS VILLAGE, SINGAPORE (188032) | TEL: 63387939 | EMAIL: INFO@PLAY-BY-EAR.NET
