NEWS

The Keyboard I appreciate the keyboard very much and try to pass on my enthusiasm for the inexhaustible variety of sounds and the tricks of programming such instruments to my students. Unfortunately, some teachers still teach keyboard with the one-finger chord system and the accompaniment purely according to chord symbols. As a result, the students find themselves in a complete dead end at relatively short notice. They are inhibited in their development and demotivated in the long term. Playing the keyboard is not just about plunking melodies to an automatic accompaniment. The strength, especially of the larger keyboards, lies in the realistic imitation of a wide variety of instruments, entire bands or entire orchestras. In order to create sophisticated arrangements, interested students must be able to read the bass clef, read scores, and master the musical rules. My methodology is therefore based on a combination of piano and keyboard literature. Not only do we use chords for the auto accompaniment when playing with the left hand, but we also learn interesting accompaniment patterns so that we don't just depend on a computer when making music. In addition, my method gives every student the opportunity to continue their career at the piano later. A keyboard can also be used as an inexpensive entry-level instrument for piano lessons. By using a sustain pedal and touch dynamics, all the important basic functions of a piano are available and can thus be sufficiently imitated. This makes sense above all for young students up to fourth grade, since here in the lessons the focus is primarily on hearing training and coordination. However, if you are only interested in the piano, I recommend switching to a suitable instrument as soon as possible, or getting started with an electric piano immediately. Worth knowing about the instrument The keyboard is an electronic instrument, the sounds of which are either generated electronically or stored as a digital sample. The keyboard of a this instrument is normally similar to the feel of an electric organ and is clearly different from the touch and feel of a piano. This is also due to the fact that keyboards are built for easy portability and therefore complex mechanics for sound generation are not common. Hundreds of different instruments can be imitated by a keyboard, and depending on the quality of the instrument, they can often sound incredibly realistic. Devices with synthesizer functions also offer the player the option of designing their own sounds. This variety of sounds is rounded off by an automatic accompaniment, which also offers hundreds of drum and band accompaniments from all conceivable styles. Here, too, many devices offer the option of creating your own accompaniments or downloading them from the Internet. By combining all of these functions, one obtains the sound volume of a band or an entire orchestra, as is known, for example, from solo entertainers. Recording functions for polyphonic recordings are often already available in the simpler instruments. The multi- track functions can then be used, for example, to create professional orchestra arrangements such as are known from film scores. The keyboard can also be connected to a PC or tablet computer, thus opening up an almost limitless world of sounds and design options and the use of recording and music notation programs for the player. Choosing the right instrument The basic requirement for any contemporary keyboard lesson is an instrument with touch dynamics. This is the only way for a player to develop the necessary sensitivity for the piano keyboard. Furthermore, the key range should be at least 61 keys. Smaller keyboards are either toys or built for special sound editing functions, such as use with a computer. Keyboards with these requirements are available from 100 euros. However, I only recommend purchasing such an instrument in absolutely exceptional cases. Here, too, you should always use branded devices. The simplest of these 61-key entry-level keyboards are available from 200 euros. However, the range of functions is only limited to the bare essentials. In order to enjoy such an entry- level instrument for a long time, it is better to invest at least 300-400 euros for it. Meanwhile, more and more mixed types are coming onto the market that combine the functions of the keyboard with those of electric organs, synthesizers or electric pianos. Personally, I prefer the 76-key keyboards. Even the simplest 76-key keyboards are available for as little as 200 euros. However, it is better to invest at least 400-700 euros. Some of these instruments combine the feel of an electric piano with the diverse keyboard functions very well. For this, the purchase of a sustain pedal is definitely necessary. These instruments are often supplied with a wooden frame or a permanently mounted stand in which all the important piano pedals are permanently installed. Manufacturers are now increasingly offering 88-key keyboards. These have the same advantages as the 76-key keyboards, but with the same pitch range of the piano. The disadvantage of these instruments is of course their higher weight and size. This comes into play if such an instrument has to be transported frequently. For keyboards also appies: You can always have the greatest playing fun on high-quality instruments. The quality of keyboards is defined on the one hand by the long durability of the materials used. If cheap plastic is used, it can become brittle and break more easily. In addition, with cheap keyboards there is the risk that contacts and parts of the key mechanism wear out more quickly. Further quality criteria are the precision of the touch, the quality class of the speakers and stored sounds, as well as the range of functions of an instrument. If you would like to play with the instrument at concerts or in a band, you will also need an amplifier and suitable loudspeakers, as the speakers built into the instrument are generally too weak for such projects. When buying an instrument on the used market, you should definitely consider the following: These offers are often very cheap. However, you do not receive any guarantee on such an instrument and in the event of a defect in the device, the repair options are usually very limited and usually also unprofitable. The only option left then is the recycling center. Often, instruments are also offered that no longer meet today's technical standards and that are completely out of date from today's perspective. Such instruments then sound no better than a pocket calculator. In any case, I am at your disposal with my advice for your decision-making before buying an instrument.