Piano vs Keyboard: Is Piano and Keyboard the Same?

It has become increasingly common for the words piano and keyboard to be used interchangeably to refer to the same instruments. Therefore, it can get a bit confusing when discussing specific instruments. So, are the piano and keyboard the same? Let’s delve into it a bit deeper.

A Few Technicalities Out Of The Way

The term keyboard is a catch-all word used for a number of things, such as a computer keyboard. However, here we are only referring to the musical keyboard that is also known by names such as synthesizers and electronic keyboards. As far as the piano is concerned, there are two main versions. First is the acoustic piano, which is what most people think of when they hear the word piano. Then there is the electronic or electric piano which occupies a sort of middle ground between the acoustic piano and the digital keyboard. To keep things simple and objective, the word piano will refer to the original acoustic piano from here on. At the same time, everything else will come under the expansive umbrella of the keyboard.

How Piano And Keyboard Are The Same?

The piano and the keyboard share a lot of common ground, which is where at least part of the confusion arises from. While they are not the same, they do have many common traits, and here is a detailed look at them.

Visually Similar

The heart of both the instruments are the keys, and they look exactly the same. The keys are arranged in the same way on both instruments. The combination of black and white keys is universally recognizable and is found on both. The key sizes might be smaller in some keyboards, and the feel might be different. However, they look pretty similar.

Same Basic Layout

It is not just the color of the keys that are the same in both. They are also arranged in the same order. There are sets of twelve keys consisting of seven white keys and black keys repeating across the keybed. Pianos have more keys, with 88-keys in total, while keyboards generally have 61. However, there are some 88-key keyboards out there as well. This similarity has a very simple reason. The keyboard is an evolution of the piano.

Fundamental Playing Techniques Are The Same

Since the keys are mostly similarly-sized and arranged in the same order, the techniques that work on one work just as well on the other. This means that pianists can very easily play the keyboard, and keyboardists can play the piano. It is only the really advanced techniques on each instrument that is specific to one of them in particular. 

They Can Sound Exactly The Same

The sound of the piano is easily one of the most recognizable sounds in the world of musical instruments. The keyboard can also sound just like a piano. In fact, modern keyboards, even ones that do not cost a lot, can quite convincingly produce the sound of a piano. In short, either can be used interchangeably as long as the musical piece is composed for a piano.

>>Also Read: Is the Piano Hard to Learn?

How Piano And Keyboard Are Different

It should come as no surprise that despite all these similarities, a piano and a keyboard have their differences as well. Otherwise, there would be no reason for both to exist. It is also these differences that will help you decide which is the right musical instrument for you.

Versatility

Do not get us wrong. The piano is an incredibly versatile instrument that has stood the test of time. Musical genres as varied as classical and hard rock can be played on the piano. However, there is just one basic tone to choose from. This means that you are essentially stuck with one sound. This can get quite limiting if you are composing a layered sound or looking to create your own sound. 

 That is where a keyboard really shines through. A keyboard is very good at mimicking the sounds of other instruments. This includes the piano, violin, guitar, strings, trumpets, flutes, and the list just goes on. Some keyboards even afford you the opportunity to create your own sounds. These sounds can also be combined together. Effects can be added to them to create rich and highly textured soundscapes. Your creativity is the limit here.

Price

Most aspiring pianists end up with a keyboard as their first instrument because pianos aren’t cheap. It takes a lot of work and raw materials to make a piano. While they can and are mass-manufactured these days, the number of pianos that can be manufactured at any given time is quite low. This further adds to the cost. Keyboards, on the other hand, generally are very affordable. In fact, even entry-level keyboards these days are surprisingly good and can be used for professional-grade music production, making them possess insane value for the money.

Sound Producing Mechanism

To put it simply, the piano is a mechanical device, while keyboards are digital devices. The sound from a piano is produced by physical strings that are struck by hammers depending on the key that is pressed. The sound from the string is then amplified by the piano’s body. On a keyboard, everything takes place digitally. It can be thought of as a specialized computer. Instead of strings and hammers, the sounds are stored in the form of digital samples on electronic memory modules. A sound engine or processer interprets all the key presses and plays the corresponding sounds. The more powerful this sound engine is, the higher the quality of the sound that is produced. The advancements in electronics in recent times have given rise to surprisingly powerful keyboards at very low prices.

Portability

The piano, by virtue of the way it is constructed, is heavy and bulky. Unfortunately, this makes it one of the worst instruments as far as portability is concerned. So, if you are a gigging musician, a piano, even a compact one, is not the way to go. Keyboards, on the other hand, are much more portable. Maybe not as much as a violin or a flute but something that is still quite manageable. 

Piano or Keyboard? Which Should You Get?

The answer to this question boils down to two factors. Your budget and the type of music you want to play or are already playing. As explained earlier, buying a piano, especially a new one, is a significant investment and not something everything can or wants to make. If you are mostly into classical music, then a piano might be the way to go, provided you have the budget for it. However, for everyone else, a keyboard is the ideal choice. Even pianists can go for a premium keyboard and not miss out on anything by not getting a piano.

Piano vs Keyboard: Is Piano and Keyboard the Same? – Final Thoughts!

The line that separates pianos and keyboards is getting more and more blurred with each passing day. Pianos look classy, and they add a bit of visual panache to your performances. However, for sheer versatility, portability, and affordability, nothing can beat a keyboard. They are a far more practical option, and they no longer come with the sort of compromises that keyboards in the past used to come with. Pianos are like classic cars. They will always have a place in the world of music. However, keyboards are like EVs. They are just so much more convenient and feature-packed for just a fraction of the cost.