56
votes
Why don't organs have weighted keys?
The main point of weighted keys are that they give more feel for the dynamic response of a piano-like instrument. Specifically, weighted keys make it so that gentle playing only results in gentle velo,...
- 34.9k
40
votes
Why don't organs have weighted keys?
A so-called "tracker action" organ keyboard, where there is a direct mechanical connection between the key and the valve that lets air into the pipes to play the notes, has a very distinctive feel ...
- 551
37
votes
Why does a 97 / 92 key piano exist by Bösendorfer?
replete's answer is correct that the original reason was to have a bigger range, as needed for some organ music. However, I don't think that's the reason those Imperial models are so sought-for over ...
- 34.9k
30
votes
Why don't organs have weighted keys?
A piano doesn't have weighted keys to "feel premium", but because the hammer is part of how the piano works.
The hammer isn't part of how an organ works, so it doesn't have weighted keys.
the ...
- 45.7k
28
votes
What's the proper piano notation for adding one note at a time to a chord and holding all the notes?
A broken chord like this is notated with double stems for each note. One set of stems corresponds to the eighth-note onsets of each pitch. The second set of stems corresponds to the duration of each ...
- 71.2k
26
votes
Accepted
Why did equal temperament become the standard tuning system for keyboard instruments?
Partly to allow the same, diatonic, piece to be played at different pitches as @Tim suggests. But also, I think, because music started getting more tonally adventurous within the SAME piece. When ...
- 85.2k
25
votes
Accepted
Do piano composers often start out with C major?
I think this is one of those questions where the answer is "it depends."
I would imagine that many composers who are uncomfortable with black keys for whatever reason do compose in C major or a minor ...
- 2,561
24
votes
Accepted
Would you recommend a keyboard for beginners with or without lights in keys for learning?
Without. Point blank.
Lights look fun to start with, but a beginner will end up watching them rather than learning to read.
Note, you can usually switch them off, so you don't have to choose a ...
- 25.2k
24
votes
What is the rationale of electronic keyboards having the voices that they do?
Yes, MIDI is primarily a communications protocol. But it also includes specifications for the General MIDI sound set. 128 sounds. Here they are, with their Program Change numbers.
https://en....
- 85.2k
24
votes
Accepted
What does 'fingered' mean with regard to accompaniment on an electronic keyboard?
I don't know what keyboard that is, but that looks like the control for the ABC [Auto Bass Chord] system [That's a Yamaha term, other manufacturers may call it something else, but they all do a ...
- 25.2k
21
votes
What's the proper piano notation for adding one note at a time to a chord and holding all the notes?
Just based off of the span of these pitches, most players can't play all of these pitches with one hand (assuming either a B♭–D or B–D♯ span).
As such, I would argue that pedaling is the best bet. ...
- 83.1k
20
votes
Accepted
What are the practical advantages of keyboards with non-weighted keys vs. weighted hammer action?
What I've found is that the acoustic piano is the most expressive when played softly. We all like loud, but anything can be loud and the ear will tune loud OUT after a while. But it pays attention ...
- 6,037
20
votes
Accepted
Unusual keyboard in a picture
Let's apply some perspective warping here.
You'll see that the black keys, viewed from the front, come in alternating groups of 2 and 3 after all. Their arrangement does not correspond all that well ...
- 216
18
votes
Why did equal temperament become the standard tuning system for keyboard instruments?
Some people seem to make the case that having some keys beat more than others (as is in the case in the older well-tempered tuning systems) is a feature not a bug.
Yes, but I don't think that was ...
- 34.9k
17
votes
Accepted
What does KSP mean?
"KSP" means "Keyboard Stereo Panning", that means for these voices, the placement of the instrument changes in the stereo panorama, depending on the position on the keyboard. So, "low notes" come from ...
- 25.4k
17
votes
Where should I press white keys - between black keys or below them?
When it comes to fingering questions, the broader the question the more the answer will be: "it depends." That is probably why you find conflicting information online, too many answers that ...
- 53.5k
16
votes
Accepted
How to write down a note that is sustained while there are other simultaneous pitches in the same bar?
The first way is correct, and yes, the initial quarter rest is important. It might not seem important in this example, but in more complex environments these rests are vitally important.
A performer ...
- 83.1k
16
votes
Why did equal temperament become the standard tuning system for keyboard instruments?
Simply so that any music could be played in any key and it would sound the same. Problem with tuning to another temperament means that pieces sounded particularly good in some keys, and particularly ...
- 183k
15
votes
Do piano composers often start out with C major?
Apart from what's already been said, it is somewhat dependent on the instrument the composer is using as a reference point. For example, a lot of guitar-based music - pop and classical, is composed in ...
- 183k
15
votes
Would you recommend a keyboard for beginners with or without lights in keys for learning?
Don't bother with lights. The player will be forever chasing them. In fact, for a few weeks I recommend not trying to read dots either. Just get used to the instrument, what it can do, and have fun.
...
- 183k
14
votes
Is it okay to use different fingers every time while playing a song on a keyboard? Is it considered a bad practice?
You are overthinking this.
You are free to use whichever fingers you like when playing a piece but obviously some fingerings will work better than others.
What you need to do is to find a fingering ...
- 4,951
14
votes
Accepted
What is the rationale of electronic keyboards having the voices that they do?
Yes, it's correct that there is a MIDI standard which relates to your question, but what you are talking about predates MIDI and has more to do with the history of sample-based keyboard instruments. ...
13
votes
What are the practical advantages of keyboards with non-weighted keys vs. weighted hammer action?
If you are playing an organ sound, you might want a keyboard that can feel and respond like an organ, rather than a piano
It's possible to make a very shallow non-weighted action, which is helpful ...
- 45.7k
13
votes
Accepted
What does a sideways "s" over a note mean?
That would be a "turn" - a common ornament in the baroque period.
You can find a (fairly basic) explanation here on Wikipedia,
and there are more detailed explanations in many books and articles on ...
- 2,653
13
votes
How can I learn to play the chords by listening to the song (like I do with notes)?
I admire your desire to learn to play in the absence of lessons and commend you on your resourcefulness in teaching yourself to play some basic melodies by listening to songs on the internet.
To ...
- 27k
13
votes
What should I play on a keyboard to accompany singing?
Consider the following two measures from the piano transcription of the song "You'll Be Back" from Hamilton:
In case it's not clear, the top line of music is the vocals, the middle line is the right ...
- 53.7k
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