6 reasons why to start playing keyboard

If you're looking for an instrument that is easy to transport, store and full of great features, than look no further and get yourself a keyboard that fulfil all your needs. Keep reading to learn more about its pros.

When to buy a keyboard?

The most essential aspect you have to think of when buying a keyboard is how you want to use it.

In any case, you'll find a huge selection of keyboards, whether you prefer it to be easy to carry around or you focus more on its features, sounds and ability to record.

You'll easily come across keyboards serving as kids' toys, or for a rookie to play at home, but also professional keyboards full of elaborate functions. Their prices differ based on many criteria.

The greatest pros of keyboards are:

• pre-programmed sounds (piano, organ, accordion, string instruments, guitar, singing),
• pre-programmed rhythms (disco, polka, samba, ballad, waltz, blues, country),
• polyphony with multiple voices
• transposition and metronome functions
• library of songs (can be played awhole or you play just a melody),
• headphones input
• USB port

Why should a beginner buy a keyboard?

If you want to compose your own melodies, then your needs are slightly different from someone who plan to upgrade from keyboard to piano. Nowadays, elementary art schools actually offer keyboard playing as a field of study.

MUZIKER TIP:
If you plan to switch to piano later on, keyboard is not the best choice to start with - it won't provide you with enough SPACE for a proper piano technique. In such case, you should opt for digital piano.

Amazing sound and polyphony

Since you're a beginner, sound is really important to you. The best keyboard brands are able to truly mimic the sound of real instruments.

Polyphone is tightly connected with sound. It's a maximum number of notes that the sound generator can create at a given moment, enabling soft and natural transitions between notes. Cheaper keyboards can play 24 or 32 tones, but commonly you need 64 or 128 of them.

If you're really keen on sound, you'll definitely appreciate this function.

Easy music composing with MIDI functions

MIDI stands for Musical Instrument Digital Interface. It's a common "language" of electronic musical instruments, which enables them to communicate by transmitting and receiving signals.

You can live without this feature if you're buying a keyboard for kids or for a complete beginner. However, if you're planning on to make music, you'd better think of it before buying. Usually, keyboards come with this feature.

Storage for music of your own creation

If you'll really get into playing keyboard, and you'll be enjoying making your own songs, external storage will definitely come in handy.

Professional keyboards enable you to hook up external storage where you can save your data.

Being able to download software upgrades and new sets of sounds is a great advantage of external storages. Even though keyboards often possess a plethora of sounds, instruments and rhythmic accompaniment, you can always add more audio content into your music.

Variety of musical instruments

Based on a price, features and your demands, you can choose from four different types of keyboards. That's a great advantage that acoustic pianos don't have.

1. Kids' keyboards have a playful design and usually serve as a toy - to arouse children's interest in music.
2. Keyboards without touch response are made for beginners. They have from 49 to 61 standard keys, accompanying melodies and different styles. These are the basic models for learning how to play keys instruments in general.
3. Keyboards with touch response are roughly similar to acoustic pianos. Keys are sensitive, thus the technical level of playing is higher. They come with a plenty of features: rhythm editor, auto accompaniment styles or connectivity to other devices. They're suitable for advanced players or keen beginners.
4. Professional keyboards are the highest tier of them all, which can record, edit and store your music. Many of these feature touchscreen and professional musicians use them as stage pianos.

World renowned brands

You'll come across a plenty of different brands, some better or lesser known. If you're a beginner, you might not be aware of them, but after playing keyboard for a while, you'll appreciate making a right decision at the beginning.

Almost every keyboard maker offer low and high tier. If you choose a cheaper model, you have to expect also a lesser quality. Such keyboard provides fewer features and sounds.

Among the most renowned and popular brands are Yamaha, Roland and Kurzweil. They offer great ratio of price and high quality. They come with different range of keys, in-built speakers and a plenty of sound options.

Korg is a great choice for highly motivated and advanced players. It has perfectly balanced keys and is suitable for musicians who plan to make music professionally.

Practical accessories

To make the most out of your keyboard playing, you can get some extra accessories that'll make the experience more interesting and enjoyable.

In most cases, the basic equipment is included, but sometimes you need to buy it extra.

You'll definitely appreciate stands with adjustable height, keyboard case, headphones, a pedal or stools with adjustable height.

Are you convinced now? Choose the right keyboard according to your needs and start playing.