Weighted keys fall into three main categories: Semi-weighted, Hammer action keyboards and graded weighting. Stick to either hammer action, or graded action keys. Hammer action keyboards are built with a mechanism that replicates the feel of the hammer action in a piano.
Different manufacturers have different mechanism types and different feels. Graded hammer action , sometimes just called graded action, is similar to hammer action in that the keys are made to be resistant and to feel similar to those on a piano. With graded weighting, though, the keys on the lower end of the register will have a heavier feel, and the keys on the higher end of the register will have a lighter feel. Keyboards with weighted keys are well worth the investment for piano students.
Keyboards with weighted keys will cost more than a keyboard without weighted keys, but the benefits far outweigh the price difference. From making it easier to transition between the keyboard and a piano, to helping you develop essential finger strength and dexterity , to learning to accurately control dynamics, a weighted key keyboard is a must-have. The best way to find the right keyboard for you is to get the advice of your teacher who can help you choose the right instrument based on your needs, and your musical goals.
The biggest difference is that with a weighted keyboard the resistance is balanced over the length of the keyboard. Each key has the exact same weight to it when you play. This weight balance means that all the keys feel the same. The treble notes at the top of the keyboard, feel the same as the bass notes at the end of the keyboard. Another difference is that a weighted action keyboard is a lot lighter to the touch, and since the keys are usually plastic, they feel much different from a traditional piano key.
However, having a keyboard that is weighted or semi-weighted is far better than a keyboard that has unweighted keys. Digital pianos with weighted keys are usually small, light, and easy to transport — easier than hammer action keyboards. This also makes them easier to store when not in use. You may not want a keyboard on display in your home or even have the room to keep it out all the time, in which case you can buy one with a folding stand.
Since basic weighted keyboard pianos are at the cheaper end of the scale when it comes to digital keyboards, if you are just learning to play piano they are a good place to start. A digital piano with hammer action is much closer to the feel of playing an acoustic piano. Although hammer action pianos are more expensive than digital pianos with weighted keys, they offer a better playing experience. The first thing that you notice with a hammer action keyboard is the length of the keys.
The keys are longer in order to create the counterweight that a traditional piano has. A hammer action keyboard has small hammers attached to the end of each key. As you press down the hammer goes up, and as you release it goes back down. Hammer action keyboards produce a more realistic sound, plus you get better bounce back, which feels more like an acoustic piano.
Because the hammer action keyboard feels so much like playing a traditional piano, it makes the transition from one to another a whole lot easier.
A graded hammer action keyboard also referred to as graded weighting, weighted hammer action, or progressive hammer action is a type of hammer action where the keys are graded from the top of the keyboard down to the bottom. When playing an acoustic piano, the bass notes have more resistance due to the thickness of the strings, and the heavier hammers needed to make the strings sound. The higher notes have thinner strings and lighter hammers, so they have less resistance. Graded hammer weighting replicates these changes in the keyboard keys and gives a far more authentic playing experience, with a realistic key depth and more resistance in the lower keys.
If you want to invest even more in your keyboard, we recommend a graded weighting digital piano that has wooden keys. Keyboards with graded hammer weighting are top of the range when it comes to digital pianos, and they usually carry the price tag to match. If you are any sort of advanced player or a professional involved in stage performance, this is the instrument for you.
It would be fair to say that as a beginner pianist, you might not have the budget for a graded hammer keyboard. On the other hand, piano teachers do recommend graded hammer keyboards due to the greater similarity with playing acoustic pianos. After all, there is more to playing the piano than simply pressing the right notes. There is a technique to piano playing that you may not get when playing a weighted keyboard.
Hammer keyboards force you to use those techniques. The weight of the keys helps to build strength in your hands and teaches you how to control your muscle movement so that you can play both quietly pianissimo with a lighter touch, and pound on the keys to get a louder sound forte. Acoustic Drums for Beginners. View All Acoustic Kits. British Drum Company. Drum Workshop. Gretsch Drums. Yamaha Drums.
Beginner Electric Drums. Intermediate Electric Drums. Professional Electric Drums. Electronic Drum Accessories. Electronic Drum Amps.
Electronic Drum Modules. Electronic Pads. View All Electronic Drums. Aluminium Snare Drums. Birch Snare Drums. Beech Snare Drums. Brass Snare Drums. Copper Snare Drums.
Mahogany Snare Drums. Maple Snare Drums. Steel Snare Drums. Walnut Snare Drums. View All Snare Drums. China Cymbals. Cymbal Packs. View All Cymbals. Drum Stools. Hi-Hat Stands. Snare Stands. Cymbal Stands. Drum Hardware Packs. View All Drum Hardware. Single Kick Pedals. Double Kick Pedals. View All Kick Drum Pedals. Drum Heads. Drum Mats.
Drum Sticks. Drum Triggers. Practice Pads. View All Drum Accessories. Hand Percussion. Percussion Sets. View All Percussion. View all Acoustic Kits. Beginner Electric Drum Kits. Intermediate Electric Drum Kits. Professional Electric Drum Kits. View all Electric Drum Kits. MIDI Keyboards. Keyboard Accessories.
Home Pianos. Stage Pianos. Portable Keyboards. Analogue Synths. Drum Machines. View All Synthesizers. Akai Professional. Native Instruments. Expansion Modules. Keyboard Amplifiers. Keyboard Cases. Keyboard Gig Bags. Keyboard Parts. Keyboard Pedals. Keyboard Stands. View All Keyboard Accessories. Klotz Cables. PA Speakers. PA Systems. Wireless Systems. Mixing Desks. Stage Lighting. Active PA Speakers. Passive PA Speakers. PA Subwoofers. View All PA Speakers.
Alto Professional. HH Electronics. PA Packages. Portable PA Systems. Line Array Systems. PA Amplifiers. View All PA Systems. Condenser Microphones. Dynamic Microphones. Microphone Packs. Ribbon Microphones.
Microphone Stands. View All Microphones. Audio Technica. SE Electronics. Wireless Microphones. Wireless Instrument Systems. Wireless Accessories. In-Ear Monitor Systems. View All Wireless Systems.
Analogue Mixers. Digital Mixers. Powered Mixers. View All Mixing Desks. DI Boxes. Ear Plugs. Music Stands. Speaker Stands. PA Accessories. Speaker Bags. Mixer Cases. Rack Gear. Audio Cables. Microphone Cables. Digital Cables. Instrument Cables. MIDI Cables. Speaker Cables. View All Cables. Audio Interfaces. Studio Monitors. Music Software. Acoustic Treatment. Studio Accessories. USB Audio Interfaces. Firewire Audio Interfaces. Thunderbolt Audio Interfaces.
View All Audio Interfaces. Antelope Audio. Solid State Logic. Active Studio Monitors. Studio Subwoofers. Studio Monitor Accessories. View All Studio Monitors. ADAM Audio. Studio Headphones.
0コメント