Part Six of Eight on how to play keyboard

Decide between keyboards versus a regular piano. Consider the following factors.

1. A piano has 88 keys. It's big, it's heavy, and it's loud. And you can't plug in headphones to your piano to practice at 2 in the morning!
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   Classical music sounds far better played on a piano than a keyboard. A digital piano is comparable to a piano, but remember, the process by which a digital piano is sampled from a real piano causes a small loss in sound quality.
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   The digital keyboard is easier to play. Next time you're near a piano, press down on the lowest note. Then press down on the highest note. Feel the difference? It's heavy and firm on the lower end, and light and easy on the higher end.

   • Now try the same thing on most keyboards. Unless they're made to emulate a piano keyboard, the keys on a synthesizer or workstation all feel the same. The "action," as it's called, is very light and fast, and much easier on the hands to play for long hours.
   • Many keyboard players do not need the full range of the piano. The notes you're playing can be moved up and down the keyboard electronically. For example, the note that is currently at middle C—C3, can become C4, or C1, or any other octave at the touch of a button.
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   The digital keyboard is a very versatile instrument. It's also more practical if you are playing in a band. Rhythm guitarist late for band practice? The keyboard player can call up a guitar sound patch or take the rhythm guitarist's role in the band by playing chords in the background with a piano patch.
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   Ultimately, although keyboards may never make the world of classical music, in the world of popular music (jazz, rock, reggae, pop, punk, etc.) they are coming into wide usage.