It can seem confusing to know which piano you should get when there are different kinds of pianos that are available on the market for sale for you to consider. There are pianos that have 61 keys and there are pianos that have 88 keys. Really knowing which one to get can be daunting, as you want to make sure that the piano will be able to meet your particular needs. That is why it is always a good idea to consider your options when choosing to get a piano that has either 61 keys or 88 keys.
It is necessary to give consideration to the kind of music that you want to play That is why you must consider the 61 key vs 88 key piano. Naturally, the piano that has 61 keys does not have all the same keys as the piano that has 88 keys. That is why it is good to know if you will be using your piano to play classic songs or if you will be writing your own original music.
If you are playing classic songs, then they may have some notes that you may not have on the piano with just 61 keys. In such cases, you should opt to get the piano that has 88 keys, as it will offer you all the keys that are needed for all the notes in the songs. On the other hand, if you are writing your own music, you may opt to buy the piano with 61 keys. It may provide enough notes for your song writing adventures.
The piano that has 61 keys does possess many of the same notes as the larger piano that has 88 keys. But it has two octaves fewer than the piano with 88 keys, as it has only five octaves. The piano that has 88 keys is noted as possessing seven octaves.
The benefit of the large piano with 88 keys is that you get access to all the notes and do not have to worry about missing any notes for the songs you love to play. However, this piano is large and is not portable. But a piano with 61 keys if often portable, which makes it great to take with you. Both the piano with 88 keys and 61 keys are ideal for both recreational playing as well as professional playing.
It cannot be denied that the piano that has only 61 keys does possess some limitations. That will be important to keep in mind. It may be difficult to recompose classical pieces of music to suit the piano with just 61 keys rather well, as it can be a harsh task to transpose the usage of octaves to make the music seem beautiful and sensible.
On the other hand, a piano that has 88 keys may just be too gigantic if you have a small space. If you really love music and want to play the piano, but do not have space for a large piano, then surely the portable piano with 61 keys is a wise choice.
In most cases, the keys on a piano are almost always eighty-eight. Fifty-two are white and thirty-six black. The arrangement of the keys is seven octaves plus two initial notes (a third interval, from B to first C).
In practice, starting from the left, the white keys indicate the seven notes. These are: la, si, do, re, mi, fa, and sol. The major scale follows this series six times. Finally, the final C ends the keyboard.
The black keys are alterations, that is, the flats or sharps, and produce a higher or lower sound by half a tone compared to the neighboring white keys.
Electrical notes
Some piano models, the grand piano, for example, add nine more keys. These lie on the bass side. That is, on the left. Thus, this extra set generates the eight complete octave.
On the other hand, electronic keyboards may also have fewer keys than acoustic pianos. For example, there are 76-key electronic pianos and 61-key keyboards (five octaves), or even 49-key keyboards (four octaves).
The piano keyboard
The seven notes, that we now know, form a block called an octave. The keys on a piano repeat this series within the keyboard several times.
Each octave generates a different pitch. The octaves on the left of the piano are the lowest notes and the octaves on the right are the highest.
This could be confusing because you might be wondering how the first C (or DO) differs from the others. And why don't they continue with the letters or names?
For pure usability, the 7-note tonal system has established itself over time. Classical musicians found it to be the most straightforward form of writing music. The octaves repeat upwards or downwards in blocks of seven as a simple convention.
Each note also represents a specific Hertz frequency. So, a low C note will generate a Hertz amount, which is different than a higher C note produces. Therefore, both notes, although called C, are distinctive sounds.
How many keys do you need?
The 61 key keyboard is optimal to start learning the piano. This is the format of entry-level electronic pianos. It is convenient and represents a high-quality portable solution that makes learning easy and fun. It offers realistic sound, and the latest models can connect with apps that help to practice the tunes. The 49keys version only has four octaves but takes up less space.
A 76 key piano focuses on the musician's inspiration and the pleasure of playing the piano. It presents a portable design similar to the best grand pianos keyboards. This is a great choice for semi-professional musicians who do gigs for parties and events.
The 88 key piano is the standard format. This is the stereotypical image of a piano that we have in our minds. It allows for two people to play at the same time.
When learning to play the piano, having 88 keys available makes the difference. Although smaller keyboards are portable and easy to handle for younger players, a standard-sized 88-key keyboard helps a lot. Musicians develop the correct technique, and it allows you to become a more expressive performer.
Check out our Casio keyboard reviews:
- If you're looking for a good enough keyboard that costs well under $200, then check out our review of the best 61-key keyboards for beginners under $200.
- If you need more than 61 keys, but less than 88 keys, then you're looking at 76-key keyboards. Check out our review of the top 76-key portable electronic keyboards that cost under $300!
- If you're looking for keyboards for a young child, then a 49-key keyboard will be fine for them. You won't be breaking the bank and you won't feel so bad if your kid decides that music isn't for him or her. Check out the best electronic keyboard for beginners (under $100) that's best for kids and children!