Sunseed Music

Before you go out and buy your keyboard, there are a few tips that you need to consider. There are a huge choice of keyboards and digital pianos available today -and quite often that choice can seem really overwhelming. Even a quick online search will give you more options than it is possible to get through in a week -so which one is right for you? Which one will best suit your needs?

1)  Make sure it’s affordable. Because the selection is so large, it really shouldn’t be too difficult in finding one that will fit your particular budget, no matter how conservative it is! Take the time to look around and get the best deal you can -set yourself a top level that you would pay and don’t go over that.

2)   Weighted action versus synth action. The weight of the keys will be directly affected by the style of play that you are intending to buy the keyboard for. The more weighted keys lend themselves more to the trained pianist or those who are looking to develop their piano skills. The synth action, on the other hand, is more suited to those who play a more synthy or techno style, as the keys can be played a lot faster. Synth action simply means that the keys are a little lighter.

3) Consider the number of keys. It may seem that you have as much of a choice when it comes to the number of keys as you did in looking for them in the first place! The number of keys can range across the board, from as little as 20 right up to 88. As ever, the choice on this remains squarely with the needs of the customer, i.e.: you. If you are purchasing your keyboard for things that only require a small range like samples, you only need a few keys. If you’re looking to play about with sound development, then you want to make sure that you have as many keys as possible.

4) Is it worth getting an onboard sequencer? A simple answer to a simple question here: . If you do not plan to work with a computer, then it probably won’t be necessary. If you are working with a computer, then yes it most definitely is.

5) Do I need a workstation? If you are already using a computer which handles all of that, paying extra for a workstation may not be the most economical vantage point. This should be weighed against the fact that the workstation is, however, an incredible tool to use. The workstation on your keyboard will perform a myriad of functions, from sequencing to effects.

6) Aftertouch and velocity features. Whatever you have in mind as the use of your keyboard, you should seriously look into the velocity and aftertouch features. Put simply, the velocity relates directly to the sound produced relative to the amount of the pressure applied to the keys, like how quickly they are pressed. The aftertouch, on the other hand, refers to the sound that is produced after the keys have been pressed, whilst they are resting on the keybed.

7) Can I take this to a gig? It may seem obvious to say, but do you really want to be lugging some huge keyboard around from one gig to another? If one of the reasons you are buying the keyboard is to take it to gigs, then this should definitely be considered. You might want to think about a hard case to protect it, and obviously maneuverability is going to be a factor.

Think about what is available online -this is often the best way to buy a new keyboard -with the added advantage that they will deliver straight to your door! When you take the time to find the best keyboard, one that will suit your needs and your goals, then you are much more likely to develop the long-term relationship with your instrument.

Copyright 2009 Lauren Paltrow (Stage Pianist)