If I learn to play keyboard...will the skill transfer easily to piano?

Question

I want to learn how to play the piano, I can play guitar, harmonica and the ukulele.

I can't afford like a full blown grand piano, If I buy a cheap keyboard and learn on that, does the same skill apply to the piano?

Answer 1

Potentially, there are two ways of using keyboards;



1. Using a keyboard to create, play and arrange live musics and pieces using "arr/acc" mode - this way sorts of automated instruments such as strings, bass, drums, etc. are played while playing.



2. Using a keyboard to play solo melodies (like what you see in a piano solo sheet) - this way no automated instruments are played.



Keyboard players of the first category usually have difficulties when jumping off playing real pianos. But players of the second one, easily go on playing a real piano after a short time.



Just consider the following noticeable differences between a keyboard (piano-mode) and a real piano:



Keyboards: Soft and light buttons to play / Pianos: Little harsh and almost very heavier buttons

Keyboards: Usually contain five octaves / Pianos: more than seven (Note: there are also keyboards with 7.25 octaves or else)

Keyboards: Pitch Shifting (Transpose shifting) enabled / Pianos: This feature is there only on some digital pianos - acoustic piano doesn't carry this feature.

Keyboards: Pitch Bending enabled (Some of them) / Pianos: You cannot bend.

Keyboards: Volume can be set as what you like / Pianos: You cannot change the volume.

Keyboards: No need to tune periodically / Pianos: You must always keep making sure if the instrument is tuned correctly.

Keyboards: Output for headsets or comprehensive set of audition studios and saloons / Pianos: Accurate microphones need to be installed.

Keyboards: Mostly support one pedal of Sustain / Pianos: It possesses two pedals.



As my final advice to you, If I were you and I did not have enough money to buy a grand piano, I would go buy a digital piano with several effects of a keyboard instead of buying a simple keyboard. Think about it!

Answer 2

Depends what you mean by keyboard. If you mean electric piano/using a keyboard AS a piano then sure, that's fine - just make sure you get one with touch sensitive keys. A keyboard is not the same as a piano (even an electric piano is not exactly the same) but it is very similar.



If you mean using a keyboard lazy man's piano (i.e. with backing, arpeggiators etc) then it's a lot harder to play that on a piano than on a keyboard - those skills are non-transferrable.



However, you don't need to get a grand piano! I've been playing for 20 years and can't possibly afford one. You can get some really good (ok, not concert standard - but you're only a beginner) electric and stage pianos these days, and you can probably pick up a half-decent upright piano for not much money; sometimes people give them away!

Answer 3

I would say "no". Playing the piano is more than just playing the right notes at the right time with the right fingers which is about all you will get from a keyboard.



Even the more expensive keyboards that claim to be touch sensitive, have weighted keys and a damper pedal are limited and are not the same as a real piano. I have both a piano and a keyboard. I have always felt I could not play serious music on the keyboard. I have a keyboard only because I need something portable.



There are many keyboards available at various prices. Mine cost me $6,000. Most of the cheaper ones are really a joke and you will be wasting your money.



There is no shortage of real pianos. If you are diligent in your search, you will find an acceptable piano for about the same money you would have spent on a keyboard.

Answer 4

Some techniques will, like hand position for instance, and learning how to read two lines of music at the same time. However, because the keys are so much harder to press on the piano, most keyboardist have difficulties adjusting to the touch required. Also, on piano you have so much more flexibility with dynamics and articulations, because the touch that is used on the piano allows it to do so. With a keyboard, everything is pretty much at the same dynamic level and everything is generally released at the same time because it's an electrically made sound.



Instead of buying a keyboard, why not an electric piano? It's not as good as the real thing but you can develop the touch so much better. Or maybe an upright piano? I live in Australia and I got my second hand for about $3000 - it's not great, but it's doable.

Answer 5

DON'T EVER EVER BUY A KEYBOARD OR START ON A KEYBOARD!!!! readers might rate down but idk cus that is the truth. i know that u can't afford a grand piano, but really good keyboards costs the same as an ok upright piano that can get u started. Keyboard is definitly not the same as a piano. the touch is different, the sound. so if u play on a keyboard, the pitch won't be authetic. and when i was in 1st grade, my friend and i had this game: his mom plays a note, and we guess what the note is. i was playing the piano, and he was playing the keyboard. i got ALMOST EVERYTHING RIGHT, but he only GOT A FEW RIGHT. that is REAL LIFE EXPERIENCE. on the surface, yeah keyboard and piano is basically the same, but if u dive deeper, they are way two different things. and u can't really compare keyboard and piano.

Answer 6

Exactly the same.



Same amount of keys. You can set your keyboard to sound like a grand piano if you like!



Only difference is obviously cost, size and you won't need to get it tuned every so often!!



You will also be without the foot pedals you have to distort the piano, but that won't make much difference!



Carry on if I were you.

Answer 7

yes thats fine, i played keyboard for 7 years before piano but the keys feel a lot different (i prefer keyboard personally, its also more portable and you get more sounds and effects hehehe). keyboard keys are light and plastic whereas piano keys are a lot heavier

also with keyboards you tend to play more chords and you left hand doesnt tend to do as much work as if it were on a piano

Answer 8

You can certainly learn to read music and make up a board with notes so you can learn where the music you've learned to read are on the keyboard. Better yet Doll, I have a piano you can have. Email me and we can try to get it to you, nothing wrong with it.

Answer 9

By learning to play piano using the powerful technique of https://tr.im/PianoLessons you'll unleash your creative potential as a musician and songwriter.



You'll begin playing music you love right away. As you move through the course you'll learn the complex ideas on the way. This method is based 100% on solid music theory, the skills you'll learn can be applied to any style or genre of music.

Answer 10

Yes, although some do have different amounts of keys

pianos can be slightly heavier in the keys (if you get what I mean-they move a bit slower) but the sound will be pretty much the same