Umair Gaines
The electric piano is an interesting instrument that combines elements of both the string and percussion families. It is part of the keyboard family of instruments, which also includes the organ, harpsichord, and clavichord. Electric pianos vary in their sound-producing mechanisms, with some using strings and hammers like a traditional piano, while others use reeds or wire tines. The earliest electric pianos were invented in the late 1920s, and they have continued to evolve and find their place in various genres of music, including rock and jazz.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Family | Keyboard family |
| Type of Instrument | Electro-mechanical |
| Sound Production | Vibrations from struck strings or reeds are converted to electrical signals by pickups |
| Pickups | Magnetic, Electrostatic or Piezoelectric |
| Notable Models | Neo-Bechstein, Vierlang-Forster, RCA Storytone, Wurlitzer, Rhodes, Yamaha, Helpinstill, Kawai |
| Keyboard | 64-88 keys |
| Additional Features | Onboard preamp, Tremolo, EQ, Patch bay for outboard effects |
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What You'll Learn
Electric piano history
The electric piano is a musical instrument that has a piano-style musical keyboard. Sound is produced by means of mechanical hammers striking metal strings, reeds, or wire tines, which cause vibrations that are then converted into electrical signals by pickups. These pickups can be magnetic, electrostatic, or piezoelectric. The earliest electric pianos were invented in the late 1920s, with the 1929 Neo-Bechstein electric grand piano being among the first. The Neo-Bechstein electric piano was built in 1931, and the Vierlang-Forster electric piano was introduced in 1937. The RCA Storytone electric piano was built in 1939 and debuted at the 1939 World's Fair. This piano had normal strings and hammer action but no soundboard, and its sound was amplified through electromagnetic pickups, circuitry, and a speaker system, making it the world's first commercially available electric piano.
The electric piano's arrival was a gateway to the 1960s and the synthesizers, helping to bridge the gap between the digital piano and electric instrumental keyboard. The first real burst of advances in electric keyboards came in the 1960s. By the first part of the decade, synthesizers had been developed. They were extremely large and delicate machines and were used only in recording studios. However, this changed with Bob Moog’s invention, the Moog synthesizer, which was first displayed in 1964. In 1955, Wurlitzer debuted its first electric piano (the 100), which was based on ideas from the Rhodes Pre-Piano. Wurlitzer's electric piano was the first true electric piano.
In the 1970s, electronic pianos were developed. These are distinct from electric pianos in that they are not electro-mechanical but rather use analog circuitry to generate their tones through oscillators. The first electronic pianos mostly came from Italy, though similar models were made in Japan. An exception is the range of instruments made by RMI in the United States from 1967 to approximately 1980, which was used by Genesis, Yes, Deep Purple, Elton John, and Rick Wakeman. The first electronic grand piano was produced in 1979 and patented in 1981 by Wilton Decker of St. James, NY, under the name of PianoNova Co. It contained the first full touch-sensitive (velocity-sensitive) keyboard and three full-working pedals.
In the 1980s, digital pianos were developed. With the technological boom of the 1980s, digitalizing became a process for music and other arts. Digital pianos use digital data sample-based synthesis to create their sounds. The development of digital pianos also made music more accessible to professionals and home users, as they were an inexpensive, smaller, and lighter alternative to an acoustic piano.
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How electric pianos work
Electric pianos are part of the keyboard family of instruments. They are similar to traditional grand pianos in that they amplify a vibration created by hammers and strings. However, electric pianos use electromagnetic pickups to amplify the sound instead of a soundboard. The sound is then converted into electrical signals by pickups (either magnetic, electrostatic, or piezoelectric) and connected to an instrument amplifier and loudspeaker.
There are three main types of electric pianos, differentiated by the element that vibrates to produce the sound. Some electric pianos still have strings and hammers, like a traditional grand piano, but feature piezoelectric pickups as a means of amplifying the sound. An example of this type of electric piano is the Yamaha CP-70.
Other electric pianos, such as the Wurlitzer, use flat steel reeds struck by felt hammers. The reeds fit within a comb-like metal plate, and the reeds and plate together form an electrostatic or capacitive pickup system. The reeds are tuned by adding or removing mass from a lump of solder at the free end of the reed.
A third type of electric piano uses stiff steel wire tines that are struck by small neoprene or felt hammer tips. Each tine has an electromagnetic pickup placed just beyond its tip. This type of electric piano is exemplified by the Fender Rhodes instruments.
Electric pianos were first invented in the late 1920s as a less expensive and more compact alternative to the traditional grand piano. They do not require tuning and are therefore very low maintenance.
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Electric piano brands
Electric pianos are a great alternative to traditional acoustic pianos. They are often more affordable and do not require ongoing maintenance. There are many brands that offer electric pianos, and the best one for you will depend on your preferences, budget, and needs. Here are some of the top electric piano brands:
Roland
Roland is a well-known brand when it comes to electric pianos. They offer a range of models, including the FP-10, RD-88 EX, LX-9, FP-30X, and FP-E50. Roland pianos are known for their good action and sound. The RD-88 EX, for example, offers over 3,000 sounds, including electric pianos, synths, strings, and pads, in addition to its impressive acoustic piano tones. The FP-10, on the other hand, is a more affordable option but lacks some features such as an onboard MIDI recorder.
Yamaha
Yamaha is another popular brand for electric pianos. They offer a range of models, including the DGX-670, YDP-145, P-125, and Clavinova series. Yamaha pianos are known for their quality and playability. The YDP-145, for example, is recommended for beginners, students, and seasoned pros due to its neat, unobtrusive, and enjoyable playing experience. The Clavinova CLP-885 is also praised for its sound and playability, making it a great choice for a family piano.
Casio
Casio is a brand that offers electric pianos at various price points, from budget-friendly options like the Privia and PX-S3100 to higher-end models like the PX-870 and PX-S3100. Casio pianos are known for their responsiveness and satisfying playing experience. The PX-870, for example, offers a cabinet and closing key cover, giving it the look and feel of a traditional piano.
Kawai
Kawai is a brand that is known for its outstanding quality and workmanship. They have been crafting world-class musical instruments for over 90 years. Their electric pianos, such as the ES110, CA79, and NV5 series, are recognised for their outstanding tone and performance. The NV5, in particular, is a hybrid digital piano that combines a sleek design with powerful features.
Korg
Korg is another brand that offers electric pianos, such as the LP-380U, B2SP, and XE20SP. The LP-380U, for example, offers 30 onboard sounds, including acoustic grand piano samples, electric pianos, and more. The XE20SP is also a popular choice for those seeking a portable digital piano.
Other notable mentions include Medeli, with their DP650K model, and Wilhelm Steinmann, which offers an acoustic piano with a similar keyboard feel to the more affordable digital options.
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Electric piano sound
Electric pianos are part of the keyboard family of instruments. To create sound, electric pianos use mechanical hammers to strike metal strings, reeds, or wire tines, causing vibrations that are converted into electrical signals by pickups. These electrical signals are then sent to a loudspeaker, amplifying the sound. This makes the electric piano an electro-mechanical instrument, distinct from a synthesizer.
The term "electric piano" encompasses various instruments with different sound-producing mechanisms, resulting in a range of timbral characters. Some electric pianos, such as those by Yamaha, Baldwin, and Kawai, resemble traditional grand or upright pianos with strings and hammers. Others, like the Helpinstill models, have a traditional soundboard, while the Yamaha CP-70 uses piezoelectric pickups under the bridge to convert string vibrations into electrical signals.
Wurlitzer electronic pianos, affectionately nicknamed "Wurlies," use flat steel reeds struck by felt hammers. The reeds are housed within a comb-like metal plate, forming an electrostatic or capacitive pickup system. This design produces a unique tone that is sweet and vibraphone-like when played gently but develops a hollow resonance when played with more force. The Columbia Elepian, the Brazilian-made Valente, and the Hohner Electra-Piano employ a similar reed system but utilize electromagnetic pickups akin to the Rhodes piano.
The Rhodes electric piano, invented by Harold Rhodes after World War II, is a highly regarded instrument in this category. It combines features of an electric guitar and an acoustic piano, earning it the nickname "suitcase piano" for its portability. The Fender Rhodes variation features a simplified piano action, with each key having only three moving parts, including the damper. The Wurlitzer electric piano, invented by Benjamin Miessner and introduced in 1954, is considered the sister instrument to the Rhodes, using real piano action and hammers to strike metal reeds.
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Electric piano alternatives
Electric pianos are a type of piano that, unlike synthesizers, are not purely electronic instruments. Instead, they are electro-mechanical, with sound produced by mechanical hammers striking metal strings, reeds, or wire tines, which are then converted into electrical signals by pickups. The earliest electric pianos were invented in the late 1920s, with the 1929 Neo-Bechstein electric grand piano being among the first.
There are several alternatives to the electric piano, including digital, electronic, and acoustic pianos. Here is a list of alternatives to electric pianos:
Digital Pianos
Digital pianos use digital samples of acoustic piano sounds. They can include sustain pedals, weighted or semi-weighted keys, and multiple voice options, such as sampled or synthesized imitations of electric pianos, organs, violins, and more. Digital pianos can also have MIDI interfaces, allowing them to connect to other electronic instruments or musical devices. Examples of digital pianos include the Donner Oura S100, Roland FP-10, and Yamaha Clavinova series.
Electronic Pianos
Electronic pianos, which were introduced in the 1970s, synthesize piano-like tones using oscillators. They may have a variety of sounds, including electric piano, organ, strings, guitars, synths, and more. An example of an electronic piano is the PSR-E383, which offers 650 onboard tones and 260 accompaniment styles.
Acoustic Pianos
Acoustic pianos are the traditional, non-electric alternative. They are typically classified as string instruments due to the sound being produced by the vibration of strings. However, they can also be considered percussion instruments because a hammer strikes those strings. Acoustic pianos can be further categorized into grand pianos and upright pianos. Grand pianos have horizontal frames and strings, while upright pianos are more compact and have vertical strings.
Other Alternatives
In addition to the main alternatives mentioned above, there are also specialized and novelty pianos, such as the rare pedal piano, which has a pedal keyboard at the base operated by the feet. Additionally, different brands offer unique features and variations, such as the Casio Smart Hybrid Hammer Action Keyboard, which provides a responsive and satisfying playing experience.
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Frequently asked questions
An electric piano is a musical instrument that has a piano-style musical keyboard, where sound is produced by mechanical hammers striking metal strings, reeds, or wire tines. The vibrations are then converted into electrical signals by pickups and connected to an amplifier and loudspeaker.
Some examples of electric pianos include the Neo-Bechstein electric piano, the Vierlang-Forster electric piano, the RCA Storytone electric piano, the Rhodes electric piano, and the Wurlitzer electric piano.
The electric piano belongs to the keyboard family of instruments, which also includes the organ, harpsichord, clavichord, and synthesizers, among others. The piano can also be classified as a percussion instrument due to the hammers striking the strings.
