Trystan Casey
The electric keyboard is a member of the keyboard family of musical instruments. The first keyboard instrument was the hydraulis, a water organ invented in the 3rd century BCE. Over time, the pipe organ and smaller portative and positive organs were developed. The clavichord and harpsichord, invented in the 14th century, were followed by the pianoforte in the 18th century. The first electric musical instrument was the Denis d'or, built in 1748, but the first electric keyboard was the result of applying electric sound technology in the late 19th century. Today, there are various types of electric keyboards, including digital pianos, stage pianos, and synthesizers.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| History | The electric keyboard's history can be traced back to the hydraulis, a water organ from the 3rd century BCE, which evolved into the pipe organ. The clavichord and harpsichord were introduced in the 14th century CE, and technological advancements led to the creation of the modern 12-tone keyboard. The first electric musical instrument was the Denis d'or, built in 1748, but the first electric piano was invented in 1929. |
| Sound Production | Electric keyboards use electric sound technology. Digital pianos, a type of electric keyboard, simulate the sound and feel of an acoustic piano. They often contain an amplifier and speakers built into the instrument. |
| Storage | Professional-grade electric keyboards often feature external storage options such as ROM cartridges, floppy disks, memory cards, or USB flash drives. |
| Connectivity | Electric keyboards usually have MIDI (Musical Instrument Digital Interface) terminals, enabling connections to computers or other keyboards. |
| Power Supply | Some electric keyboards have an internal power supply, while others use an AC adapter. |
| Target Market | Digital pianos are targeted at mid-level to advanced pianists, while stage pianos are designed for professional use on stage or in recording studios. |
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What You'll Learn
Electric keyboard history
The history of the electric keyboard is closely intertwined with the evolution of musical instruments, dating back centuries. Keyboard instruments first appeared in the form of the ancient hydraulis in the 3rd century BCE, which later evolved into the pipe organ and smaller portative and positive organs. The pipe organ, considered the first keyboard, was invented in Ancient Greece around 300 BCE.
In the 14th century CE, the clavichord and harpsichord emerged, marking a significant step towards the development of more advanced keyboards. The harpsichord, created in Italy around 1500, featured a plectrum attached to a long strip of wood called a jack that plucked the strings to produce music. The clavichord, on the other hand, used a brass rod called a tangent to strike the strings, allowing for a range of four to five octaves.
The piano, a descendant of the monochord, was a revolutionary invention by Bartolomeo Cristofori in the early 1700s. It addressed the limitations of the harpsichord by allowing musicians to control the volume through touch. The piano's name is derived from the original Italian term, "clavicembalo col piano e forte," which translates to "a harpsichord that can play soft and loud noises."
Electric keyboards came into existence by applying electric sound technology. The first electric keyboard was the Denis d'or stringed instrument, crafted by Václav Prokop Diviš in 1748, featuring 700 electrified strings. In 1760, Jean Baptiste Thillaie de Laborde introduced the clavecin électrique, an electrically activated keyboard without sound creation.
Over time, technological advancements transformed the design of electric keyboards. Modern electric keyboards often feature a variety of components, such as internal audio power amplifiers, stereo sound speakers, and external storage devices. Additionally, most keyboards incorporate MIDI terminals for data communication with other electronic musical instruments or computers. The evolution of storage options progressed from floppy disks and cartridges to memory cards and USB storage, enhancing the functionality and connectivity of electric keyboards.
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Electric keyboard design
The electric keyboard is a member of the keyboard family of instruments, which are played using a keyboard—a row of levers that are pressed by the fingers. The earliest known keyboard instrument was the Ancient Greek hydraulis, a type of pipe organ invented in the third century BCE. The pipe organ was the only keyboard instrument until the fourteenth century, when the clavichord, harpsichord, and clavicymbalum appeared. Technological advancements in the eighteenth century led to the creation of the pianoforte, which enabled dynamic sound variation through key pressure.
The electric keyboard emerged in the late 20th century, benefiting from advancements in electric sound technology. Electric keyboards are designed to offer a diverse selection of instrument sounds, such as the piano, organ, and violin, as well as synthesizer tones. They are typically aimed at beginners and home users, featuring unweighted keys and limited sound editing options. Budget models often lack velocity sensitivity, while mid-range and higher-end options may include this feature.
Digital pianos are a type of electronic keyboard designed to replicate the sound and feel of an acoustic piano. They usually include built-in amplifiers and loudspeakers, and can offer additional features such as recording and saving files to a computer. Digital pianos can imitate various instruments, including the grand piano, electric piano, pipe organ, and harpsichord. They are not affected by climate or humidity changes and do not require tuning like acoustic pianos.
Another type of electronic keyboard is the stage piano, which is a high-quality digital piano with weighted keys, designed for professional use on stage or in recording studios. Stage pianos emphasize high-quality electric piano and Hammond organ sounds. Synthesizers are electronic keyboards that utilize sound synthesis technologies to produce a wide array of electronic sounds. Workstations are professional electronic keyboards that combine the features of synthesizers and conventional home keyboards, offering extensive editing and recording capabilities, high-powered speakers, and external memory storage.
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Electric keyboard sound
Electric keyboards are part of the keyboard family of instruments, which includes the piano, organ, clavichord, harpsichord, accordion, and melodica. The first keyboard instrument was the pipe organ, invented in Ancient Greece in the 3rd century BCE. Over time, this evolved into smaller, more portable organs, and new instruments like the clavichord and harpsichord, which were developed in the 14th century. The piano, which can be considered a member of the percussion family due to the pressure applied to its keys, was invented in the 18th century by Bartolomeo Cristofori, who replaced the harpsichord's plucking mechanism with hammers, allowing for dynamic sound variation.
The first fully electric musical instrument was the Denis d'or, built by Václav Prokop Diviš in 1748, though it did not use electricity to produce sound. The first electric keyboard was the clavecin électrique, developed by Jean Baptiste Thillaie de Laborde in 1760, though this also did not use electricity to generate sound. The first electric piano was invented in 1929, and the first digital piano, which could simulate the sound and feel of an acoustic piano, was introduced in the 1980s.
Electric keyboards can be designed to imitate the sound of various instruments, including the grand piano, electric piano, pipe organ, Hammond organ, and harpsichord. They often feature internal amplifiers and speakers, with more advanced models offering stereo sound and additional features like bass ports and tweeters. Some electric keyboards also have external storage capabilities, allowing users to store data on devices like USB flash drives and memory cards.
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Electric keyboard evolution
The evolution of the electric keyboard began with the application of electric sound technology. The journey of electronic keyboards traces back to the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The telharmonium, invented by Thaddeus Cahill in 1897, used large generators to produce tones. This massive machine required an entire room and served primarily as an experimental tool for music transmission. In a similar vein, the harmonium became popular as a mechanical instrument that produced sound via air pushed through reeds. Its design laid the groundwork for later electronic adaptations.
Early electronic keyboards, such as the Electro-Theremin and the Ondes Martenot, played pivotal roles in shaping the sound landscape. The rise of synthesizers in the 1960s and 1970s marked a pivotal moment in the realm of electronic keyboards. Early pioneers like Robert Moog and Don Buchla played significant roles in this revolution. Moog’s development of the Moog synthesizer represented a breakthrough for music production, allowing musicians to manipulate sound and create a vast array of sounds.
The evolution of synthesizers laid the groundwork for digital pianos and more complex instruments. The integration of MIDI technology facilitated greater communication between devices, enhancing performance capabilities. The 1980s marked a significant shift with the introduction of digital pianos, making electronic keyboards more accessible. These instruments incorporated sampling technology, allowing for realistic acoustic sounds and easy transportation.
Today, electronic keyboards typically use unweighted keys for portability and affordability. They may incorporate sample-based synthesis, with more advanced keyboards featuring physical modelling synthesis. Most modern keyboards have an internal power supply and are equipped with an AC adapter. They usually have two speakers producing stereo sound, with more advanced models featuring bass ports and tweeters. The evolution of electronic keyboards continues, with regular innovations introduced to enhance playability and functionality.
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Electric keyboard alternatives
Electric keyboards are instruments played using a keyboard. They are a part of the keyboard family, which also includes instruments like the organ, clavichord, harpsichord, and piano.
Electric keyboards can be categorised into digital pianos and stage pianos. Here are some alternatives to the electric keyboard within these categories:
Digital Piano Alternatives
Digital pianos are designed to sound and feel like an ordinary acoustic piano. They usually contain an amplifier and loudspeakers built into the instrument. Some popular alternatives in this category include:
- Roland FP-10: This digital piano offers 15 sounds, including four grand-piano sounds, two electric-piano sounds, two organ sounds, two string sounds, a vibraphone, and a harpsichord. It also has Bluetooth connectivity and a metronome function.
- Oura S100: This digital piano includes sounds such as two grand piano, three electric piano, one jazz organ, an acoustic bass, and a combination of grand piano with electric piano. It has a built-in Bluetooth receiver and two quarter-inch headphone outputs.
- Casio CDP-S360: This digital piano offers 700 sounds, including simulations of various instruments such as the grand piano, electric piano, and organ.
- Kawai ES120: This is a mid-range portable digital piano with realistic piano sounds. It is lighter in nature and suitable for playing genres that include organ, synth, and electric piano sounds.
- Yamaha FP-30X: This digital piano offers a range of sounds, including acoustic and electric pianos, organs, strings, guitars, and synths. It also has a USB to Host port that supports both MIDI and Audio.
Stage Piano Alternatives
Stage pianos are a type of high-quality digital piano with weighted keys, designed for professional use on stage or in a recording studio. Some alternatives to consider in this category include:
- Kawai MP models: These include stage pianos such as the MP11SE 88-Key, which offers great sounds and wooden key action at an affordable price.
- Kawai DG30: This is a regular electric piano in the body of a baby grand piano.
- Studiologic Numa Series: The Numa X Piano GT is Studiologic's top-line keyboard, offering numerous sounds and effects at a relatively low price. Cheaper alternatives in this series include the Numa Compact SE and the Compact X SE.
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Frequently asked questions
An electric keyboard is an electronic keyboard instrument. It is designed to sound and feel like an ordinary acoustic piano.
The electric keyboard belongs to the keyboard family. Other instruments in this family include the piano, organ, clavichord, harpsichord, accordion, and melodica.
Electric keyboards typically have an amplifier and speakers built into the instrument. They may also have external storage devices such as USB flash drives and a sustain pedal.
Electric keyboards are not sensitive to climate or humidity changes and do not require tuning. They can also imitate the sound of several instruments, including the piano, pipe organ, and harpsichord.
