On a recent holiday I observed a few pianists playing digital pianos and keyboards. The techniques for keyboards are not always the same as for “real” pianos, though realistically why should they be? If someone wants to, and is able to play a “tune” with the harmonies filled in, and a backing track, why not? Why not also allow the melody to sound like a bit like a flute, a harp or a guitar? Also, why finger all the notes in every chord, if with some ingenuity very similar sounds can be generated with just a few keys?
I’m not advocating abandoning conventional pianos for electronic instruments, but suggesting that the latter may have a useful role, and some, perhaps many, keyboardists might find them useful tools. I am also not suggesting that learning to play using conventional keyboard techniques should be discounted, but how rigorous does this have to be?
A significant complaint of pianists about this type of instrument seems to be that the keyboard touch is not receptive enough, though some makers claim that their instruments get very close to more conventional ones in this respect.
The most prominent makers of this type of “piano” instrument seem to be Yamaha and Roland. Both have instruments similar to a grand in the range £3000-£6000, which is perhaps significantly cheaper than a good conventional instrument. On holiday I also noted a Korg keyboard, which I suspect was rather less like a piano than some of the other larger instruments. Maybe keyboardists now have to be flexible enough to play a range of different instruments.
The keyboardists I saw were professionals, playing for audiences, and using sheet music - where appropriate. Most of the audience would perhaps not have noticed all the “support” which these musicians had from their instruments, though the musicians were technically proficient and may have been able to play most of the pieces on more conventional non electronic instruments.
Real purists will probably not want to “go there”. Comments?
I’m not advocating abandoning conventional pianos for electronic instruments, but suggesting that the latter may have a useful role, and some, perhaps many, keyboardists might find them useful tools. I am also not suggesting that learning to play using conventional keyboard techniques should be discounted, but how rigorous does this have to be?
A significant complaint of pianists about this type of instrument seems to be that the keyboard touch is not receptive enough, though some makers claim that their instruments get very close to more conventional ones in this respect.
The most prominent makers of this type of “piano” instrument seem to be Yamaha and Roland. Both have instruments similar to a grand in the range £3000-£6000, which is perhaps significantly cheaper than a good conventional instrument. On holiday I also noted a Korg keyboard, which I suspect was rather less like a piano than some of the other larger instruments. Maybe keyboardists now have to be flexible enough to play a range of different instruments.
The keyboardists I saw were professionals, playing for audiences, and using sheet music - where appropriate. Most of the audience would perhaps not have noticed all the “support” which these musicians had from their instruments, though the musicians were technically proficient and may have been able to play most of the pieces on more conventional non electronic instruments.
Real purists will probably not want to “go there”. Comments?
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