{"id":39651,"date":"2024-09-25T17:27:56","date_gmt":"2024-09-25T16:27:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/blog\/?p=39651"},"modified":"2025-11-17T13:46:36","modified_gmt":"2025-11-17T13:46:36","slug":"keyboard-vs-piano","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/blog\/keyboard-vs-piano\/","title":{"rendered":"Keyboard vs. Piano &#8211; Which One Do I Need?"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_85 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 eztoc-toggle-hide-by-default' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/blog\/keyboard-vs-piano\/#In_a_hurry\" >In a hurry?\u00a0\u00a0<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/blog\/keyboard-vs-piano\/#Keyboard_vs_piano\" >Keyboard vs. piano\u00a0<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-4' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/blog\/keyboard-vs-piano\/#Keys\" >Keys\u00a0<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/blog\/keyboard-vs-piano\/#Sounds\" >Sounds\u00a0<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/blog\/keyboard-vs-piano\/#Connectivity\" >Connectivity\u00a0<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/blog\/keyboard-vs-piano\/#Types\" >Types<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/blog\/keyboard-vs-piano\/#Weight_and_portability\" >Weight and portability\u00a0<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/blog\/keyboard-vs-piano\/#Price_range\" >Price range\u00a0<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/blog\/keyboard-vs-piano\/#Keyboard_pros_and_cons\" >Keyboard pros and cons\u00a0<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-10\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/blog\/keyboard-vs-piano\/#Piano_pros_and_cons\" >Piano pros and cons\u00a0<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-11\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/blog\/keyboard-vs-piano\/#Keyboards_vs_piano_%E2%80%93_which_one_should_I_buy\" >Keyboards vs. piano \u2013 which one should I buy?\u00a0<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-12\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/blog\/keyboard-vs-piano\/#FAQs\" >FAQs<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-4' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-13\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/blog\/keyboard-vs-piano\/#Are_pianos_better_than_keyboards\" >Are pianos better than keyboards?\u00a0<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-14\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/blog\/keyboard-vs-piano\/#Should_I_practise_on_a_piano_or_a_keyboard\" >Should I practise on a piano or a keyboard?\u00a0<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-15\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/blog\/keyboard-vs-piano\/#Is_a_keyboard_harder_to_play_than_a_piano\" >Is a keyboard harder to play than a piano?\u00a0<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-16\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/blog\/keyboard-vs-piano\/#Final_thoughts\" >Final thoughts\u00a0<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<p>[et_pb_section fb_built=&#8221;1&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.16&#8243; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_row _builder_version=&#8221;4.16&#8243; background_size=&#8221;initial&#8221; background_position=&#8221;top_left&#8221; background_repeat=&#8221;repeat&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_column type=&#8221;4_4&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.16&#8243; custom_padding=&#8221;|||&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221; custom_padding__hover=&#8221;|||&#8221;][et_pb_text admin_label=&#8221;Intro&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.17.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;]<\/p>\n<p><span data-teams=\"true\"><span class=\"ui-provider a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z ab ac ae af ag ah ai aj ak\" dir=\"ltr\">When choosing between a <strong>keyboard vs. piano<\/strong>, you need to know which will suit your playing ability, the type of music you want to play, and the environment you&#8217;ll be performing in. They&#8217;re very similar instruments, which can make it confusing, and in fact, there&#8217;s a lot of overlap, especially when it comes to digital pianos. But in this article, we&#8217;ll show you their differences and how you can decide which is right for you.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-teams=\"true\"><span class=\"ui-provider a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z ab ac ae af ag ah ai aj ak\" dir=\"ltr\">Any instrument with black and white keys is considered a <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/pianos-keyboards\/keyboards\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">keyboard<\/a><\/strong>, but not all keyboards are digital pianos! Keyboards are packed with a range of songs and sounds &#8211; great for players wanting some accompaniment. They&#8217;re usually quite compact and are ideal for beginners or those needing a portable instrument. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-teams=\"true\"><span class=\"ui-provider a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z ab ac ae af ag ah ai aj ak\" dir=\"ltr\"><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/pianos-keyboards\/digital-pianos\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Digital pianos<\/a><\/strong>, on the other hand, replicate the feel and sound of an acoustic piano, using high-quality samples of an acoustic piano and a weighted key action. They&#8217;re a better choice if you&#8217;re looking for an authentic-feeling playing experience that will make it easier to move to an acoustic piano in future. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-teams=\"true\"><span class=\"ui-provider a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z ab ac ae af ag ah ai aj ak\" dir=\"ltr\">We&#8217;ll go through all these differences and more, and at the end of the article, we&#8217;ll sum up the pros and cons of each instrument.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=&#8221;https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\/2024\/07\/Secondhand-keys.jpg&#8221; alt=&#8221;Secondhand keys&#8221; title_text=&#8221;Secondhand-keys&#8221; url=&#8221;https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/secondhand\/keys?utm_source=blog&#038;utm_medium=banner&#038;utm_campaign=secondhand_keys&#8221; url_new_window=&#8221;on&#8221; admin_label=&#8221;Secondhand Keys Banner&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.17.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_module=&#8221;41655&#8243; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text admin_label=&#8221;In a hurry? &#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.17.4&#8243; background_size=&#8221;initial&#8221; background_position=&#8221;top_left&#8221; background_repeat=&#8221;repeat&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;20px||||false|false&#8221; border_width_top=&#8221;2px&#8221; border_color_top=&#8221;#f08000&#8243; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;]<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"In_a_hurry\"><\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">In a hurry?\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:278}\">\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Here are the key features you&#8217;ll find in a keyboard and a digital piano:<\/p>\n\n<table id=\"tablepress-256\" class=\"tablepress tablepress-id-256\">\n<thead>\n<tr class=\"row-1\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\"><\/td><th class=\"column-2\">Keyboard<\/th><th class=\"column-3\">Digital piano<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody class=\"row-striping row-hover\">\n<tr class=\"row-2\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\"><strong>Number of keys<\/strong><\/td><td class=\"column-2\">61 - 76<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">88<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-3\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\"><strong>Key action<\/strong><\/td><td class=\"column-2\">Waterfall<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">Hammer action and waterfall action<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-4\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\"><strong>Number of sounds<\/strong><\/td><td class=\"column-2\">200 - 1000<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">20 - 300<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-5\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\"><strong>Connectivity<\/strong><\/td><td class=\"column-2\">USB, Headphones, Audio in<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">MIDI, Line out, USB, Headphones, Bluetooth<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-6\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\"><strong>Price range<\/strong><\/td><td class=\"column-2\">\u00a350 - \u00a34,0000<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">\u00a3300 - \u00a310,000<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-7\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\"><strong>Types<\/strong><\/td><td class=\"column-2\">MIDI keyboard, synthesizer etc<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">Digital upright, stage piano etc<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-8\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\"><strong>Weight<\/strong><\/td><td class=\"column-2\">10kg<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">40kg<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-9\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\"><strong>Speakers<\/strong><\/td><td class=\"column-2\">4 - 14W<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">16W - 30W<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-10\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\"><strong>Polyphony<\/strong><\/td><td class=\"column-2\">30 - 128<\/td><td class=\"column-3\">64 - 256<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<!-- #tablepress-256 from cache -->\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_button button_url=&#8221;https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/pianos-keyboards\/keyboards&#8221; url_new_window=&#8221;on&#8221; button_text=&#8221;SHOP KEYBOARDS&#8221; button_alignment=&#8221;center&#8221; admin_label=&#8221;NEW CTA Button&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.17.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; custom_button=&#8221;on&#8221; button_text_size=&#8221;14px&#8221; button_text_color=&#8221;#FFFFFF&#8221; button_bg_color=&#8221;#0e95cf&#8221; button_border_width=&#8221;0px&#8221; button_border_color=&#8221;#0e95cf&#8221; button_font=&#8221;Arial|700|||||||&#8221; button_icon=&#8221;&#x35;||divi||400&#8243; button_icon_color=&#8221;#FFFFFF&#8221; custom_margin=&#8221;||||false|false&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;10px|30px||30px|false|false&#8221; box_shadow_style=&#8221;preset6&#8243; box_shadow_blur=&#8221;2px&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][\/et_pb_button][et_pb_button button_url=&#8221;https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/pianos-keyboards\/digital-pianos&#8221; url_new_window=&#8221;on&#8221; button_text=&#8221;SHOP DIGITAL PIANOS&#8221; button_alignment=&#8221;center&#8221; admin_label=&#8221;NEW CTA Button&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.17.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; custom_button=&#8221;on&#8221; button_text_size=&#8221;14px&#8221; button_text_color=&#8221;#FFFFFF&#8221; button_bg_color=&#8221;#0e95cf&#8221; button_border_width=&#8221;0px&#8221; button_border_color=&#8221;#0e95cf&#8221; button_font=&#8221;Arial|700|||||||&#8221; button_icon=&#8221;&#x35;||divi||400&#8243; button_icon_color=&#8221;#FFFFFF&#8221; custom_margin=&#8221;||||false|false&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;10px|30px||30px|false|false&#8221; box_shadow_style=&#8221;preset6&#8243; box_shadow_blur=&#8221;2px&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][\/et_pb_button][et_pb_text admin_label=&#8221;Keyboard vs. piano &#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.17.4&#8243; background_size=&#8221;initial&#8221; background_position=&#8221;top_left&#8221; background_repeat=&#8221;repeat&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;20px||||false|false&#8221; hover_enabled=&#8221;0&#8243; border_width_top=&#8221;2px&#8221; border_color_top=&#8221;#f08000&#8243; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221; sticky_enabled=&#8221;0&#8243;]<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Keyboard_vs_piano\"><\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:278}\"><span class=\"TextRun SCXW98308482 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-GB\" xml:lang=\"EN-GB\" data-contrast=\"auto\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW98308482 BCX0\">Keyboard vs. piano<\/span><\/span><span class=\"EOP SCXW98308482 BCX0\" data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:278}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<h4><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Keys\"><\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Keys<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:278}\">\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Key action is one of the main differences between a keyboard and a digital piano &#8211; and it&#8217;s a very important one!<\/span><\/p>\n<p>Keyboards tend to have unweighted or semi-weighted keys, which feel light and bouncy under your fingers. They&#8217;re great for music that has few dynamic or expressive changes, such as synth music or entry-level piano pieces. Some keyboards mitigate this lack of expressive action with touch response technology; for example, the <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/Keyboards-and-Pianos\/Casio-CT-S1-76-Key-Portable-Keyboard-Black\/6G6L\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Casio CT-S1 76 Key Portable Keyboard<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>has three sensitivity levels of touch response.<\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> Digital pianos often have weighted keys to mimic the resistance and feel of an acoustic piano; this is particularly useful for learning correct technique, making it easier if you transition to acoustic pianos. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Some models even use faux ivory or ebony materials or a matte finish on the keys to replicate the texture and playing feel of their acoustic counterparts. A great example of an entry-level digital piano with weighted keys is the <\/span><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/Keyboards-and-Pianos\/Yamaha-P45-Digital-Piano-Black\/1805\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Yamaha P45 digital piano<\/a><\/strong>, which<span data-contrast=\"auto\"> has a graded hammer action keyboard, meaning the keys feel heavier in the lower register and lighter in the higher.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Another difference is the number of keys. Keyboards vary in size, and you&#8217;ll usually find either 61 or 76 keys &#8211; ideal for portability but not so ideal if you need to access the full range of notes. Digital pianos, however, typically come with 88 keys, just like a traditional piano.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-39696 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\/2024\/09\/Casio-CT-S1-76-Key-Portable-Keyboard.jpg\" alt=\"Casio CT-S1 76 Key Portable Keyboard\" width=\"1330\" height=\"665\" srcset=\"https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\/2024\/09\/Casio-CT-S1-76-Key-Portable-Keyboard.jpg 1330w, https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\/2024\/09\/Casio-CT-S1-76-Key-Portable-Keyboard-600x300.jpg 600w, https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\/2024\/09\/Casio-CT-S1-76-Key-Portable-Keyboard-1024x512.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\/2024\/09\/Casio-CT-S1-76-Key-Portable-Keyboard-768x384.jpg 768w, https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\/2024\/09\/Casio-CT-S1-76-Key-Portable-Keyboard-1080x540.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\/2024\/09\/Casio-CT-S1-76-Key-Portable-Keyboard-1280x640.jpg 1280w, https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\/2024\/09\/Casio-CT-S1-76-Key-Portable-Keyboard-980x490.jpg 980w, https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\/2024\/09\/Casio-CT-S1-76-Key-Portable-Keyboard-480x240.jpg 480w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1330px) 100vw, 1330px\" \/><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h4><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Sounds\"><\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Sounds<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:278}\">\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Keyboards generally offer a wider variety of sounds than digital pianos. A typical keyboard might have hundreds of tones, including synths, drums, and effects, making them more versatile for experimenting with different genres. <\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:278}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">In contrast, digital pianos usually focus on fewer sounds, prioritising high-quality acoustic and electric piano tones to give you an authentic playing experience.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:278}\"> S<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">ound quality is another key difference, with digital pianos often using more sophisticated sampling technology, which leads to more realistic piano sounds. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Additionally, a digital piano&#8217;s built-in speakers usually have higher wattage &#8211; often around 15 to 30 watts &#8211; providing a richer, fuller sound. <\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:278}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Keyboards, however, often come with lower-wattage speakers, usually between 2 to 10 watts, which results in a less powerful sound that suits small practice sessions. Rememeber, if you&#8217;re using a keyboard to perform on stage &#8211; if you&#8217;re playing synth, keyboard sounds, or any other sounds &#8211; you&#8217;ll be hooked up to a PA system anyway.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">So, if sound variety is your priority, a keyboard may suit you. But for superior piano tones and better speaker output, a digital piano is the better choice.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:278}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h4><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Connectivity\"><\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Connectivity<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:278}\">\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n<p>Keyboards come with USB and MIDI connectivity, which means you can link them up to your digital audio workstation (DAW). They also <span data-contrast=\"auto\">often feature auxiliary ports which are useful for live performances.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Digital pianos, on the other hand, provide a range of modern connectivity options, including USB, MIDI, and sometimes Bluetooth. This means you can wirelessly connect to your smartphone and play music through the piano&#8217;s speakers or learn using a piano education app.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-39697 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\/2024\/09\/Kawai-ES120-connectivity.jpg\" alt=\"Kawai ES120 connectivity\" width=\"1330\" height=\"665\" srcset=\"https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\/2024\/09\/Kawai-ES120-connectivity.jpg 1330w, https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\/2024\/09\/Kawai-ES120-connectivity-600x300.jpg 600w, https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\/2024\/09\/Kawai-ES120-connectivity-1024x512.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\/2024\/09\/Kawai-ES120-connectivity-768x384.jpg 768w, https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\/2024\/09\/Kawai-ES120-connectivity-1080x540.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\/2024\/09\/Kawai-ES120-connectivity-1280x640.jpg 1280w, https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\/2024\/09\/Kawai-ES120-connectivity-980x490.jpg 980w, https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\/2024\/09\/Kawai-ES120-connectivity-480x240.jpg 480w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1330px) 100vw, 1330px\" \/><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h4><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Types\"><\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Types<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n<p>Within the world of digital pianos and keyboards, you also get various types of each instrument.<\/p>\n<p>Don&#8217;t be fooled into thinking that all keyboards are for beginners! Yes, you can get entry-level keyboards, but there are also variations on the instrument that suit different purposes. For example, a <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/pianos-keyboards\/keyboards\/workstations\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">workstation keyboard<\/a><\/strong> is designed for composers and producers. It usually has multiple synth engines and various sampled instruments (you can also load your own samples), and it gives you very detailed control.<\/p>\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/pianos-keyboards\/midi-keyboards\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">MIDI keyboards<\/a><\/strong> are used in conjunction with digital audio workstations (DAWs) and electronic instruments, sending data rather than audio that allows synthesisers, drum machines, samplers, and computers to work together. If you&#8217;re looking for a MIDI keyboard for your studio, we recommend the <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/Recording-and-Computers\/Novation-Launchkey-61-MK4\/6GXN\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Novation Launchkey 61 MK4<\/a><\/strong>, the <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/Recording-and-Computers\/Native-Instruments-Kontrol-S61-MK3\/5R1S\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Native Instruments Kontrol S61 MK3<\/a><\/strong>, and the <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/Keyboards-and-Pianos\/Arturia-Keylab-88-MK3-White\/70HK\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Arturia Keylab 88 MK3<\/a><\/strong>. Check out our <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/blog\/what-is-midi\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">MIDI guide<\/a> <\/strong>to learn more.<\/p>\n<p>You&#8217;ll also find <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/pianos-keyboards\/keyboards\/arranger\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">arrangers<\/a><\/strong> and <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/pianos-keyboards\/keyboards\/organs\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">electric organs<\/a><\/strong> under the umbrella of &#8220;keyboards&#8221;.<\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Digital pianos are often seen as more permanent fixtures in homes, studios, or stages. Some models are designed to resemble acoustic pianos and are meant to stay in one place, such as a <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/pianos-keyboards\/digital-pianos\/upright\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">digital upright<\/a><\/strong> or <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/pianos-keyboards\/digital-pianos\/grand\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">grand<\/a><\/strong>. Others, like <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/pianos-keyboards\/digital-pianos\/stage\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">stage pianos<\/a><\/strong>, are lightweight and designed for portability.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h4><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Weight_and_portability\"><\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Weight and portability<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:278}\">\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Keyboards are typically lighter and far easier to transport than digital pianos thanks to their compact structure that can be quickly assembled and packed away. This makes them ideal for gigging musicians. An example of an extremely light keyboard is the <\/span><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/Keyboards-and-Pianos\/Yamaha-PSR-E383-Portable-Keyboard-Black\/6EAH\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Yamaha PSR E383 Portable Keyboard<\/a><\/strong>,<span data-contrast=\"auto\"> which weighs just 4.5 kg<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:278}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Digital pianos, however, are heavier and more suited to permanent setups. For comparison, the <\/span><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/Keyboards-and-Pianos\/Kawai-CX-102-Digital-Piano-Satin-Black\/7FWH\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Kawai CX-102<\/a><\/strong><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> weighs 36kg &#8211; not very portable! Some digital pianos also come with a built-in stand or a full console design, making them a permanent fixture in homes, studios, or performance spaces.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">If you need an instrument that you can move around often, a keyboard is more convenient. Digital pianos are a better choice when you want a more stable, long-term setup that stays in one place.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-39698 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\/2024\/09\/Yamaha-PSR-E383-Portable-Keyboard-Black.jpg\" alt=\"Yamaha PSR E383 Portable Keyboard, Black\" width=\"1330\" height=\"665\" srcset=\"https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\/2024\/09\/Yamaha-PSR-E383-Portable-Keyboard-Black.jpg 1330w, https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\/2024\/09\/Yamaha-PSR-E383-Portable-Keyboard-Black-600x300.jpg 600w, https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\/2024\/09\/Yamaha-PSR-E383-Portable-Keyboard-Black-1024x512.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\/2024\/09\/Yamaha-PSR-E383-Portable-Keyboard-Black-768x384.jpg 768w, https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\/2024\/09\/Yamaha-PSR-E383-Portable-Keyboard-Black-1080x540.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\/2024\/09\/Yamaha-PSR-E383-Portable-Keyboard-Black-1280x640.jpg 1280w, https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\/2024\/09\/Yamaha-PSR-E383-Portable-Keyboard-Black-980x490.jpg 980w, https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\/2024\/09\/Yamaha-PSR-E383-Portable-Keyboard-Black-480x240.jpg 480w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1330px) 100vw, 1330px\" \/><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h4><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Price_range\"><\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Price range<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:278}\">\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Keyboards are generally more affordable, with entry-level models starting around \u00a350 to \u00a3300. These are ideal for beginners or those on a budget. The <\/span><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/Keyboards-and-Pianos\/K1and-61-Note-Key-Lighting-Keyboard-with-Bluetooth-by-Gear4music\/6329\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">K1+ 61Note Key Lighting Keyboard with Bluetooth by Gear4music<\/a> <\/strong>is a great beginner model at an affordable price point.<span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0Mid-range keyboards with additional features can range from \u00a3300 to \u00a3600, while high-end models can exceed \u00a31,000.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:278}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Digital pianos tend to be more expensive due to their focus on replicating an acoustic piano&#8217;s feel and sound. Entry-level digital pianos start around \u00a3300, such as the <\/span><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/Keyboards-and-Pianos\/VISIONKEY-500-Digital-Piano-by-Gear4music-Matte-Black\/6CET\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">VISIONKEY-500 Digital Piano by Gear4music<\/a><\/strong>,<span data-contrast=\"auto\"> to \u00a3500, with mid-range options between \u00a3600 and \u00a31,500. Premium models, particularly console-style digital pianos, can cost over \u00a32,000. The choice depends on your budget and musical needs.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:278}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=&#8221;Keyboard pros and cons &#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.17.4&#8243; background_size=&#8221;initial&#8221; background_position=&#8221;top_left&#8221; background_repeat=&#8221;repeat&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;20px||||false|false&#8221; border_width_top=&#8221;2px&#8221; border_color_top=&#8221;#f08000&#8243; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;]<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Keyboard_pros_and_cons\"><\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Keyboard pros and cons<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:278}\">\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n<table id=\"tablepress-257\" class=\"tablepress tablepress-id-257\">\n<thead>\n<tr class=\"row-1\">\n\t<th class=\"column-1\">Pros<\/th><th class=\"column-2\">Cons<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody class=\"row-striping row-hover\">\n<tr class=\"row-2\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">Compact and lightweight, making it portable<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">Doesn't replicate the feel and response of an acoustic piano<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-3\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">A range of sounds and settings<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">Often have lower-watt speakers, meaning the sound can be quite thin<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-4\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">Ideal for beginners<\/td><td class=\"column-2\"><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-5\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">Usually more affordable than a digital piano<\/td><td class=\"column-2\"><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<!-- #tablepress-257 from cache -->\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=&#8221;Piano pros and cons &#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.17.4&#8243; background_size=&#8221;initial&#8221; background_position=&#8221;top_left&#8221; background_repeat=&#8221;repeat&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;20px||||false|false&#8221; border_width_top=&#8221;2px&#8221; border_color_top=&#8221;#f08000&#8243; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;]<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Piano_pros_and_cons\"><\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Piano pros and cons<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:278}\">\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n<table id=\"tablepress-258\" class=\"tablepress tablepress-id-258\">\n<thead>\n<tr class=\"row-1\">\n\t<th class=\"column-1\">Pros<\/th><th class=\"column-2\">Cons<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody class=\"row-striping row-hover\">\n<tr class=\"row-2\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">Realistic playing feel<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">Tend to be pricier<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-3\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">High-quality samples<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">Limited bank of sounds <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-4\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">Offer a long-term setup<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">Not as portable as their keyboard counterparts<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-5\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">Higher-wattage speakers for a fuller, richer sound<\/td><td class=\"column-2\"><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-6\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">Better range of connectivity options<\/td><td class=\"column-2\"><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<!-- #tablepress-258 from cache -->\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=&#8221;Keyboards vs. piano \u2013 which one should I buy? &#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.17.4&#8243; background_size=&#8221;initial&#8221; background_position=&#8221;top_left&#8221; background_repeat=&#8221;repeat&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;20px||||false|false&#8221; border_width_top=&#8221;2px&#8221; border_color_top=&#8221;#f08000&#8243; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;]<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Keyboards_vs_piano_%E2%80%93_which_one_should_I_buy\"><\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Keyboards vs. piano \u2013 which one should I buy?<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:278}\">\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">The choice largely depends on your needs, budget, and how you plan to use the instrument.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:278}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">If you plan to take the instrument to rehearsals, gigs, or lessons, a keyboard will be your best bet. Keyboards also tend to offer a wider variety of sounds &#8211; ranging from pianos and strings to synths and drum kits &#8211; which is great if you want to experiment with different musical styles. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">They typically come with fewer keys, usually 61 or 76, so if you&#8217;re just learning the basics or don&#8217;t need the full number of octaves, a keyboard\u00a0is perfect. Plus, in terms of price, a keyboard is a great option if you&#8217;re on a tight budget.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Digital pianos, on the other hand, are designed to replicate the feel and sound of an acoustic piano more closely, so they&#8217;re great for learning correct technique and preparing you well for acoustic piano playing. They usually come with 88 fully weighted keys to simulate the resistance of real piano keys, giving you a more authentic playing experience.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:278}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p>If you&#8217;re after an instrument that can be a home, studio, or stage staple, opt for a digital piano.<\/p>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=&#8221;FAQs&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.17.4&#8243; background_size=&#8221;initial&#8221; background_position=&#8221;top_left&#8221; background_repeat=&#8221;repeat&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;20px||||false|false&#8221; border_width_top=&#8221;2px&#8221; border_color_top=&#8221;#f08000&#8243; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;]<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"FAQs\"><\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">FAQs<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<h4><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Are_pianos_better_than_keyboards\"><\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Are pianos better than keyboards?<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:278}\">\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Pianos aren\u2019t necessarily &#8220;better&#8221; than keyboards; it depends on what you&#8217;re looking for. Acoustic pianos and digital pianos offer a more authentic playing experience, particularly for those who want the feel and sound of a traditional piano. They have weighted keys and a richer sound, which can be important if you&#8217;re looking to play classical music or want to develop proper piano techniques.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:278}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Keyboards, however, offer versatility and portability. They\u2019re usually lighter, more affordable, and come with a variety of sounds, making them ideal for beginners, casual players, or those interested in different music styles.<\/span><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h4><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Should_I_practise_on_a_piano_or_a_keyboard\"><\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Should I practise on a piano or a keyboard?<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:278}\">\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Whether you should practise on a piano or a keyboard depends on your goals and circumstances. If you&#8217;re learning classical piano or want to develop proper technique, practising on a digital or acoustic piano is ideal. Pianos have weighted keys that build finger strength and improve your ability to control dynamics, giving you a more authentic playing experience.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:278}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">However, if portability, budget, or space are concerns, a keyboard can still be a good option. Many modern keyboards have touch-sensitive or semi-weighted keys, which can help mimic some aspects of piano playing.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:278}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h4><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Is_a_keyboard_harder_to_play_than_a_piano\"><\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Is a keyboard harder to play than a piano?<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:278}\">\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">A keyboard is generally easier to play than a piano, particularly for beginners. Most keyboards have lighter, unweighted keys, which require less finger strength and effort to press down. This can make it easier to play fast passages or chords, especially if you\u2019re just starting.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:278}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">On the other hand, pianos &#8211; both acoustic and digital with weighted keys &#8211; require more finger strength due to their heavier action. This helps in developing proper technique and control over dynamics, but it can feel more challenging at first.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:278}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=&#8221;Final thoughts &#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.17.4&#8243; background_size=&#8221;initial&#8221; background_position=&#8221;top_left&#8221; background_repeat=&#8221;repeat&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;20px||||false|false&#8221; border_width_top=&#8221;2px&#8221; border_color_top=&#8221;#f08000&#8243; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;]<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Final_thoughts\"><\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Final thoughts<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:278}\">\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">There are many things to take into account when picking the right instrument for you. If you&#8217;re looking to learn keys, hopefully, our <strong>keyboard vs. piano <\/strong>guide has made that choice a little easier! <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Whilst these two instruments are similar in many ways, they differ in size, sound samples, speaker power, and playing feel. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Check our some of our other articles to learn more about keys:<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/blog\/how-to-move-a-piano\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">How to Move a Piano Safely<\/span><\/b><\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/blog\/best-keyboards-for-kids-and-beginners\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">The 16 Best Keyboards for Kids and Beginners<\/span><\/b><\/a><b> <\/b><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/blog\/best-digital-pianos-for-beginners\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">The 14 Best Digital Pianos for Beginners<\/span><\/b><\/a><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=&#8221;1_3,1_3,1_3&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.17.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_column type=&#8221;1_3&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.17.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_button button_url=&#8221;https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/pianos-keyboards\/keyboards&#8221; url_new_window=&#8221;on&#8221; button_text=&#8221;SHOP KEYBOARDS&#8221; button_alignment=&#8221;center&#8221; admin_label=&#8221;NEW CTA Button&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.17.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; custom_button=&#8221;on&#8221; button_text_size=&#8221;14px&#8221; button_text_color=&#8221;#FFFFFF&#8221; button_bg_color=&#8221;#0e95cf&#8221; button_border_width=&#8221;0px&#8221; button_border_color=&#8221;#0e95cf&#8221; button_font=&#8221;Arial|700|||||||&#8221; button_icon=&#8221;&#x35;||divi||400&#8243; button_icon_color=&#8221;#FFFFFF&#8221; custom_margin=&#8221;||||false|false&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;10px|30px||30px|false|false&#8221; box_shadow_style=&#8221;preset6&#8243; box_shadow_blur=&#8221;2px&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][\/et_pb_button][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=&#8221;1_3&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.17.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_button button_url=&#8221;https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/pianos-keyboards\/digital-pianos&#8221; url_new_window=&#8221;on&#8221; button_text=&#8221;SHOP DIGITAL PIANOS&#8221; button_alignment=&#8221;center&#8221; admin_label=&#8221;NEW CTA Button&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.17.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; custom_button=&#8221;on&#8221; button_text_size=&#8221;14px&#8221; button_text_color=&#8221;#FFFFFF&#8221; button_bg_color=&#8221;#0e95cf&#8221; button_border_width=&#8221;0px&#8221; button_border_color=&#8221;#0e95cf&#8221; button_font=&#8221;Arial|700|||||||&#8221; button_icon=&#8221;&#x35;||divi||400&#8243; button_icon_color=&#8221;#FFFFFF&#8221; custom_margin=&#8221;||||false|false&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;10px|30px||30px|false|false&#8221; box_shadow_style=&#8221;preset6&#8243; box_shadow_blur=&#8221;2px&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][\/et_pb_button][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=&#8221;1_3&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.17.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_button button_url=&#8221;https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/blog\/category\/pianos-keyboards\/piano-guides\/&#8221; url_new_window=&#8221;on&#8221; button_text=&#8221;READ MORE PIANO GUIDES&#8221; button_alignment=&#8221;center&#8221; admin_label=&#8221;NEW CTA Button&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.17.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; custom_button=&#8221;on&#8221; button_text_size=&#8221;14px&#8221; button_text_color=&#8221;#FFFFFF&#8221; button_bg_color=&#8221;#0e95cf&#8221; button_border_width=&#8221;0px&#8221; button_border_color=&#8221;#0e95cf&#8221; button_font=&#8221;Arial|700|||||||&#8221; button_icon=&#8221;&#x35;||divi||400&#8243; button_icon_color=&#8221;#FFFFFF&#8221; custom_margin=&#8221;||||false|false&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;10px|30px||30px|false|false&#8221; box_shadow_style=&#8221;preset6&#8243; box_shadow_blur=&#8221;2px&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][\/et_pb_button][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>When choosing between a keyboard vs. piano, you need to know which will suit your playing ability, the type of music you want to play, and the environment you&#8217;ll be performing in. They&#8217;re very similar instruments, which can make it confusing, and in fact, there&#8217;s a lot of overlap, especially when it comes to digital pianos. But in this article, we&#8217;ll show you their differences and how you can decide which is right for you.\u00a0<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":34,"featured_media":39695,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":"<p><span data-teams=\"true\"><span class=\"ui-provider a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z ab ac ae af ag ah ai aj ak\" dir=\"ltr\">When choosing between a <strong>keyboard vs. piano<\/strong>, you need to know which will suit your playing ability, the type of music you want to play, and the environment you'll be performing in. They're very similar instruments, which can make it confusing, and in fact, there's a lot of overlap, especially when it comes to digital pianos. But in this article, we'll show you their differences and how you can decide which is right for you.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p><p><span data-teams=\"true\"><span class=\"ui-provider a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z ab ac ae af ag ah ai aj ak\" dir=\"ltr\">Any instrument with black and white keys is considered a <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/pianos-keyboards\/keyboards\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">keyboard<\/a><\/strong>, but not all keyboards are digital pianos! Keyboards are packed with a range of songs and sounds - great for players wanting some accompaniment. They're usually quite compact and are ideal for beginners or those needing a portable instrument. <\/span><\/span><\/p><p><span data-teams=\"true\"><span class=\"ui-provider a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z ab ac ae af ag ah ai aj ak\" dir=\"ltr\"><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/pianos-keyboards\/digital-pianos\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Digital pianos<\/a><\/strong>, on the other hand, replicate the feel and sound of an acoustic piano, using high-quality samples of an acoustic piano and a weighted key action. They're a better choice if you're looking for an authentic-feeling playing experience that will make it easier to move to an acoustic piano in future. <\/span><\/span><\/p><p><span data-teams=\"true\"><span class=\"ui-provider a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z ab ac ae af ag ah ai aj ak\" dir=\"ltr\">We'll go through all these differences and more, and at the end of the article, we'll sum up the pros and cons of each instrument.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p><hr \/><h3><span data-contrast=\"auto\">In a hurry?\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{\"201341983\":0,\"335559739\":160,\"335559740\":278}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/h3><p>Here are the key features you'll find in a keyboard and a digital piano:<\/p><p>[table id=256 \/]<\/p><hr \/><h3><span data-ccp-props=\"{\"201341983\":0,\"335559739\":160,\"335559740\":278}\"> <span class=\"TextRun SCXW98308482 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-GB\" xml:lang=\"EN-GB\" data-contrast=\"auto\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW98308482 BCX0\">Keyboard vs. piano<\/span><\/span><span class=\"EOP SCXW98308482 BCX0\" data-ccp-props=\"{\"201341983\":0,\"335559739\":160,\"335559740\":278}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/h3><h4><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Keys<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{\"201341983\":0,\"335559739\":160,\"335559740\":278}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/h4><p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Key action is one of the main differences between a keyboard and a digital piano - and it's a very important one!<\/span><\/p><p>Keyboards tend to have unweighted or semi-weighted keys, which feel light and bouncy under your fingers. They're great for music that has few dynamic or expressive changes, such as synth music or entry-level piano pieces. Some keyboards mitigate this lack of expressive action with touch response technology; for example, the <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/Keyboards-and-Pianos\/Casio-CT-S1-76-Key-Portable-Keyboard-Black\/6G6L\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Casio CT-S1 76 Key Portable Keyboard<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>has three sensitivity levels of touch response.<\/p><p><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> Digital pianos often have weighted keys to mimic the resistance and feel of an acoustic piano; this is particularly useful for learning correct technique, making it easier if you transition to acoustic pianos. <\/span><\/p><p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Some models even use faux ivory or ebony materials or a matte finish on the keys to replicate the texture and playing feel of their acoustic counterparts. A great example of an entry-level digital piano with weighted keys is the <\/span><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/Keyboards-and-Pianos\/Yamaha-P45-Digital-Piano-Black\/1805\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Yamaha P45 digital piano<\/a><\/strong>, which<span data-contrast=\"auto\"> has a graded hammer action keyboard, meaning the keys feel heavier in the lower register and lighter in the higher.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Another difference is the number of keys. Keyboards vary in size, and you'll usually find either 61 or 76 keys - ideal for portability but not so ideal if you need to access the full range of notes. Digital pianos, however, typically come with 88 keys, just like a traditional piano.<\/span><\/p><p><img class=\"aligncenter wp-image-39696 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\/2024\/09\/Casio-CT-S1-76-Key-Portable-Keyboard.jpg\" alt=\"Casio CT-S1 76 Key Portable Keyboard\" width=\"1330\" height=\"665\" \/><\/p><hr \/><h4><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Sounds<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{\"201341983\":0,\"335559739\":160,\"335559740\":278}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/h4><p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Keyboards generally offer a wider variety of sounds than digital pianos. A typical keyboard might have hundreds of tones, including synths, drums, and effects, making them more versatile for experimenting with different genres. <\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{\"201341983\":0,\"335559739\":160,\"335559740\":278}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">In contrast, digital pianos usually focus on fewer sounds, prioritising high-quality acoustic and electric piano tones to give you an authentic playing experience.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{\"201341983\":0,\"335559739\":160,\"335559740\":278}\"> S<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">ound quality is another key difference, with digital pianos often using more sophisticated sampling technology, which leads to more realistic piano sounds. <\/span><\/p><p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Additionally, a digital piano's built-in speakers usually have higher wattage - often around 15 to 30 watts - providing a richer, fuller sound. <\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{\"201341983\":0,\"335559739\":160,\"335559740\":278}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Keyboards, however, often come with lower-wattage speakers, usually between 2 to 10 watts, which results in a less powerful sound that suits small practice sessions. Rememeber, if you're using a keyboard to perform on stage - if you're playing synth, keyboard sounds, or any other sounds - you'll be hooked up to a PA system anyway.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">So, if sound variety is your priority, a keyboard may suit you. But for superior piano tones and better speaker output, a digital piano is the better choice.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{\"201341983\":0,\"335559739\":160,\"335559740\":278}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p><hr \/><h4><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Connectivity<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{\"201341983\":0,\"335559739\":160,\"335559740\":278}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/h4><p>Keyboards come with USB and MIDI connectivity, which means you can link them up to your digital audio workstation (DAW). They also <span data-contrast=\"auto\">often feature auxiliary ports which are useful for live performances.<\/span><\/p><p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Digital pianos, on the other hand, provide a range of modern connectivity options, including USB, MIDI, and sometimes Bluetooth. This means you can wirelessly connect to your smartphone and play music through the piano's speakers or learn using a piano education app.<\/span><\/p><p><img class=\"aligncenter wp-image-39697 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\/2024\/09\/Kawai-ES120-connectivity.jpg\" alt=\"Kawai ES120 connectivity\" width=\"1330\" height=\"665\" \/><\/p><hr \/><h4><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Types<\/span><\/h4><p>Within the world of digital pianos and keyboards, you also get various types of each instrument.<\/p><p>Don't be fooled into thinking that all keyboards are for beginners! Yes, you can get entry-level keyboards, but there are also variations on the instrument that suit different purposes. For example, a <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/pianos-keyboards\/keyboards\/workstations\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">workstation keyboard<\/a><\/strong> is designed for composers and producers. It usually has multiple synth engines and various sampled instruments (you can also load your own samples), and it gives you very detailed control.<\/p><p>You'll also find <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/pianos-keyboards\/keyboards\/arranger\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">arrangers<\/a><\/strong> and <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/pianos-keyboards\/keyboards\/organs\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">electric organs<\/a><\/strong> under the umbrella of \"keyboards\".<\/p><p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Digital pianos are often seen as more permanent fixtures in homes, studios, or stages. Some models are designed to resemble acoustic pianos and are meant to stay in one place, such as a <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/pianos-keyboards\/digital-pianos\/upright\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">digital upright<\/a><\/strong> or <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/pianos-keyboards\/digital-pianos\/grand\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">grand<\/a><\/strong>. Others, like <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/pianos-keyboards\/digital-pianos\/stage\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">stage pianos<\/a><\/strong>, are lightweight and designed for portability.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><hr \/><h4><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Weight and portability<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{\"201341983\":0,\"335559739\":160,\"335559740\":278}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/h4><p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Keyboards are typically lighter and far easier to transport than digital pianos thanks to their compact structure that can be quickly assembled and packed away. This makes them ideal for gigging musicians. An example of an extremely light keyboard is the <\/span><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/Keyboards-and-Pianos\/Yamaha-PSR-E383-Portable-Keyboard-Black\/6EAH\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Yamaha PSR E383 Portable Keyboard<\/a><\/strong>,<span data-contrast=\"auto\"> which weighs just 4.5 kg<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{\"201341983\":0,\"335559739\":160,\"335559740\":278}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Digital pianos, however, are heavier and more suited to permanent setups. For comparison, the <\/span><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/Keyboards-and-Pianos\/Kawai-KDP75-Digital-Piano-Satin-Black\/6B2K\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Kawai KDP75<\/a><\/strong><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> weighs 36kg - not very portable! Some digital pianos also come with a built-in stand or a full console design, making them a permanent fixture in homes, studios, or performance spaces.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">If you need an instrument that you can move around often, a keyboard is more convenient. Digital pianos are a better choice when you want a more stable, long-term setup that stays in one place.<\/span><\/p><p><img class=\"aligncenter wp-image-39698 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\/2024\/09\/Yamaha-PSR-E383-Portable-Keyboard-Black.jpg\" alt=\"Yamaha PSR E383 Portable Keyboard, Black\" width=\"1330\" height=\"665\" \/><\/p><hr \/><h4><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Price range<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{\"201341983\":0,\"335559739\":160,\"335559740\":278}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/h4><p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Keyboards are generally more affordable, with entry-level models starting around \u00a350 to \u00a3300. These are ideal for beginners or those on a budget. The <\/span><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/Keyboards-and-Pianos\/K1and-61-Note-Key-Lighting-Keyboard-with-Bluetooth-by-Gear4music\/6329\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">K1+ 61Note Key Lighting Keyboard with Bluetooth by Gear4music<\/a> <\/strong>is a great beginner model at an affordable price point.<span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0Mid-range keyboards with additional features can range from \u00a3300 to \u00a3600, while high-end models can exceed \u00a31,000.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{\"201341983\":0,\"335559739\":160,\"335559740\":278}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Digital pianos tend to be more expensive due to their focus on replicating an acoustic piano's feel and sound. Entry-level digital pianos start around \u00a3300, such as the <\/span><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/Keyboards-and-Pianos\/VISIONKEY-500-Digital-Piano-by-Gear4music-Matte-Black\/6CET\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">VISIONKEY-500 Digital Piano by Gear4music<\/a><\/strong>,<span data-contrast=\"auto\"> to \u00a3500, with mid-range options between \u00a3600 and \u00a31,500. Premium models, particularly console-style digital pianos, can cost over \u00a32,000. The choice depends on your budget and musical needs.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{\"201341983\":0,\"335559739\":160,\"335559740\":278}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p><hr \/><h3><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Keyboard pros and cons<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{\"201341983\":0,\"335559739\":160,\"335559740\":278}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/h3><p>[table id=257 \/]<\/p><hr \/><h3><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Piano pros and cons<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{\"201341983\":0,\"335559739\":160,\"335559740\":278}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/h3><p>[table id=258 \/]<\/p><hr \/><h3><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Keyboards vs. piano \u2013 which one should I buy?<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{\"201341983\":0,\"335559739\":160,\"335559740\":278}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/h3><p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">The choice largely depends on your needs, budget, and how you plan to use the instrument.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{\"201341983\":0,\"335559739\":160,\"335559740\":278}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">If you plan to take the instrument to rehearsals, gigs, or lessons, a keyboard will be your best bet. Keyboards also tend to offer a wider variety of sounds - ranging from pianos and strings to synths and drum kits - which is great if you want to experiment with different musical styles. <\/span><\/p><p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">They typically come with fewer keys, usually 61 or 76, so if you're just learning the basics or don't need the full number of octaves, a keyboard\u00a0is perfect. Plus, in terms of price, a keyboard is a great option if you're on a tight budget.<\/span><\/p><p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Digital pianos, on the other hand, are designed to replicate the feel and sound of an acoustic piano more closely, so they're great for learning correct technique and preparing you well for acoustic piano playing. They usually come with 88 fully weighted keys to simulate the resistance of real piano keys, giving you a more authentic playing experience.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{\"201341983\":0,\"335559739\":160,\"335559740\":278}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p>If you're after an instrument that can be a home, studio, or stage staple, opt for a digital piano.<\/p><hr \/><h3><span data-contrast=\"auto\">FAQS\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{\"201341983\":0,\"335559739\":160,\"335559740\":278}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/h3><h4><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Are pianos better than keyboards?<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{\"201341983\":0,\"335559739\":160,\"335559740\":278}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/h4><p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Pianos aren\u2019t necessarily \"better\" than keyboards; it depends on what you're looking for. Acoustic pianos and digital pianos offer a more authentic playing experience, particularly for those who want the feel and sound of a traditional piano. They have weighted keys and a richer sound, which can be important if you're looking to play classical music or want to develop proper piano techniques.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{\"201341983\":0,\"335559739\":160,\"335559740\":278}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Keyboards, however, offer versatility and portability. They\u2019re usually lighter, more affordable, and come with a variety of sounds, making them ideal for beginners, casual players, or those interested in different music styles.<\/span><\/p><hr \/><h4><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Should I practise on a piano or a keyboard?<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{\"201341983\":0,\"335559739\":160,\"335559740\":278}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/h4><p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Whether you should practise on a piano or a keyboard depends on your goals and circumstances. If you're learning classical piano or want to develop proper technique, practising on a digital or acoustic piano is ideal. Pianos have weighted keys that build finger strength and improve your ability to control dynamics, giving you a more authentic playing experience.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{\"201341983\":0,\"335559739\":160,\"335559740\":278}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">However, if portability, budget, or space are concerns, a keyboard can still be a good option. Many modern keyboards have touch-sensitive or semi-weighted keys, which can help mimic some aspects of piano playing.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{\"201341983\":0,\"335559739\":160,\"335559740\":278}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p><hr \/><h4><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Is a keyboard harder to play than a piano?<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{\"201341983\":0,\"335559739\":160,\"335559740\":278}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/h4><p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">A keyboard is generally easier to play than a piano, particularly for beginners. Most keyboards have lighter, unweighted keys, which require less finger strength and effort to press down. This can make it easier to play fast passages or chords, especially if you\u2019re just starting.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{\"201341983\":0,\"335559739\":160,\"335559740\":278}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">On the other hand, pianos - both acoustic and digital with weighted keys - require more finger strength due to their heavier action. This helps in developing proper technique and control over dynamics, but it can feel more challenging at first.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{\"201341983\":0,\"335559739\":160,\"335559740\":278}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p><hr \/><h3><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Final thoughts<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{\"201341983\":0,\"335559739\":160,\"335559740\":278}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/h3><p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">There are many things to take into account when picking the right instrument for you. If you're looking to learn keys, hopefully, our <strong>keyboard vs. piano <\/strong>guide has made that choice a little easier! <\/span><\/p><p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Whilst these two instruments are similar in many ways, they differ in size, sound samples, speaker power, and playing feel. <\/span><\/p><p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Check our some of our other articles to learn more about keys:<\/span><\/p><p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/blog\/how-to-move-a-piano\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">How to Move a Piano Safely<\/span><\/b><\/a><\/p><p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/blog\/best-keyboards-for-kids-and-beginners\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">The 16 Best Keyboards for Kids and Beginners<\/span><\/b><\/a><b> <\/b><\/p><p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/blog\/best-digital-pianos-for-beginners\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">The 14 Best Digital Pianos for Beginners<\/span><\/b><\/a><\/p>","_et_gb_content_width":"","_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[246,147],"tags":[290,171],"class_list":["post-39651","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-piano-guides","category-pianos-keyboards","tag-guide","tag-pianos-keyboards"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v28.0 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Keyboard vs. Piano - Which One Do I Need? | Gear4music<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Keyboards and pianos are closely related, but which will suit your playing? Our keyboard vs. piano guide will help you find the right one.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/blog\/keyboard-vs-piano\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Keyboard vs. Piano - Which One Do I Need? | Gear4music\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Keyboards and pianos are closely related, but which will suit your playing? Our keyboard vs. piano guide will help you find the right one.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/blog\/keyboard-vs-piano\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Gear4music Blog\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/Gear4music\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2024-09-25T16:27:56+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2025-11-17T13:46:36+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\/2024\/09\/Featured-image-Keyboard-vs.-Piano.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1330\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"665\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Laura\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:creator\" content=\"@gear4music\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:site\" content=\"@gear4music\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Laura\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"10 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":[\"Article\",\"BlogPosting\"],\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.gear4music.com\\\/blog\\\/keyboard-vs-piano\\\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.gear4music.com\\\/blog\\\/keyboard-vs-piano\\\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"Laura\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.gear4music.com\\\/blog\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/5c68b638736d83ffb6afdd19811668be\"},\"headline\":\"Keyboard vs. Piano &#8211; Which One Do I Need?\",\"datePublished\":\"2024-09-25T16:27:56+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2025-11-17T13:46:36+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.gear4music.com\\\/blog\\\/keyboard-vs-piano\\\/\"},\"wordCount\":2748,\"commentCount\":0,\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.gear4music.com\\\/blog\\\/#organization\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.gear4music.com\\\/blog\\\/keyboard-vs-piano\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/storage.googleapis.com\\\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\\\/2024\\\/09\\\/Featured-image-Keyboard-vs.-Piano.jpg\",\"keywords\":[\"Guide\",\"Pianos &amp; Keyboards\"],\"articleSection\":[\"Guides\",\"Pianos &amp; Keyboard\"],\"inLanguage\":\"en\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"CommentAction\",\"name\":\"Comment\",\"target\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/www.gear4music.com\\\/blog\\\/keyboard-vs-piano\\\/#respond\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.gear4music.com\\\/blog\\\/keyboard-vs-piano\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.gear4music.com\\\/blog\\\/keyboard-vs-piano\\\/\",\"name\":\"Keyboard vs. Piano - Which One Do I Need? | Gear4music\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.gear4music.com\\\/blog\\\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.gear4music.com\\\/blog\\\/keyboard-vs-piano\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.gear4music.com\\\/blog\\\/keyboard-vs-piano\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/storage.googleapis.com\\\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\\\/2024\\\/09\\\/Featured-image-Keyboard-vs.-Piano.jpg\",\"datePublished\":\"2024-09-25T16:27:56+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2025-11-17T13:46:36+00:00\",\"description\":\"Keyboards and pianos are closely related, but which will suit your playing? Our keyboard vs. piano guide will help you find the right one.\",\"inLanguage\":\"en\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/www.gear4music.com\\\/blog\\\/keyboard-vs-piano\\\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.gear4music.com\\\/blog\\\/keyboard-vs-piano\\\/#primaryimage\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/storage.googleapis.com\\\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\\\/2024\\\/09\\\/Featured-image-Keyboard-vs.-Piano.jpg\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/storage.googleapis.com\\\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\\\/2024\\\/09\\\/Featured-image-Keyboard-vs.-Piano.jpg\",\"width\":1330,\"height\":665,\"caption\":\"Featured image - Keyboard vs. Piano\"},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.gear4music.com\\\/blog\\\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.gear4music.com\\\/blog\\\/\",\"name\":\"Gear4music Blog\",\"description\":\"News, tips, deals &amp; loads more...\",\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.gear4music.com\\\/blog\\\/#organization\"},\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.gear4music.com\\\/blog\\\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":{\"@type\":\"PropertyValueSpecification\",\"valueRequired\":true,\"valueName\":\"search_term_string\"}}],\"inLanguage\":\"en\"},{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.gear4music.com\\\/blog\\\/#organization\",\"name\":\"Gear4music\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.gear4music.com\\\/blog\\\/\",\"logo\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.gear4music.com\\\/blog\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/logo\\\/image\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/storage.googleapis.com\\\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/b75da5e6-blog-logo.png\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/storage.googleapis.com\\\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\\\/2021\\\/12\\\/b75da5e6-blog-logo.png\",\"width\":600,\"height\":193,\"caption\":\"Gear4music\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.gear4music.com\\\/blog\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/logo\\\/image\\\/\"},\"sameAs\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/www.facebook.com\\\/Gear4music\",\"https:\\\/\\\/x.com\\\/gear4music\",\"https:\\\/\\\/www.instagram.com\\\/gear4music\\\/\",\"https:\\\/\\\/www.linkedin.com\\\/company\\\/gear-4-music-limited\\\/\",\"https:\\\/\\\/www.youtube.com\\\/user\\\/gear4music1\"]},{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.gear4music.com\\\/blog\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/5c68b638736d83ffb6afdd19811668be\",\"name\":\"Laura\",\"image\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/secure.gravatar.com\\\/avatar\\\/ae28b8ddafd6d656e3e4cdd85699adfa34918cc41483f2cc53ea7928d3144b14?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/secure.gravatar.com\\\/avatar\\\/ae28b8ddafd6d656e3e4cdd85699adfa34918cc41483f2cc53ea7928d3144b14?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/secure.gravatar.com\\\/avatar\\\/ae28b8ddafd6d656e3e4cdd85699adfa34918cc41483f2cc53ea7928d3144b14?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"caption\":\"Laura\"},\"description\":\"Laura is a content writer with 15 years' drumming experience. Her musical tastes range from Led Zeppelin to Phoebe Bridgers.\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.gear4music.com\\\/blog\\\/author\\\/laurabentley\\\/\"}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"Keyboard vs. Piano - Which One Do I Need? | Gear4music","description":"Keyboards and pianos are closely related, but which will suit your playing? Our keyboard vs. piano guide will help you find the right one.","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/blog\/keyboard-vs-piano\/","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"Keyboard vs. Piano - Which One Do I Need? | Gear4music","og_description":"Keyboards and pianos are closely related, but which will suit your playing? Our keyboard vs. piano guide will help you find the right one.","og_url":"https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/blog\/keyboard-vs-piano\/","og_site_name":"Gear4music Blog","article_publisher":"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/Gear4music","article_published_time":"2024-09-25T16:27:56+00:00","article_modified_time":"2025-11-17T13:46:36+00:00","og_image":[{"width":1330,"height":665,"url":"https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\/2024\/09\/Featured-image-Keyboard-vs.-Piano.jpg","type":"image\/jpeg"}],"author":"Laura","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_creator":"@gear4music","twitter_site":"@gear4music","twitter_misc":{"Written by":"Laura","Est. reading time":"10 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":["Article","BlogPosting"],"@id":"https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/blog\/keyboard-vs-piano\/#article","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/blog\/keyboard-vs-piano\/"},"author":{"name":"Laura","@id":"https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/5c68b638736d83ffb6afdd19811668be"},"headline":"Keyboard vs. Piano &#8211; Which One Do I Need?","datePublished":"2024-09-25T16:27:56+00:00","dateModified":"2025-11-17T13:46:36+00:00","mainEntityOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/blog\/keyboard-vs-piano\/"},"wordCount":2748,"commentCount":0,"publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/blog\/#organization"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/blog\/keyboard-vs-piano\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\/2024\/09\/Featured-image-Keyboard-vs.-Piano.jpg","keywords":["Guide","Pianos &amp; Keyboards"],"articleSection":["Guides","Pianos &amp; Keyboard"],"inLanguage":"en","potentialAction":[{"@type":"CommentAction","name":"Comment","target":["https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/blog\/keyboard-vs-piano\/#respond"]}]},{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/blog\/keyboard-vs-piano\/","url":"https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/blog\/keyboard-vs-piano\/","name":"Keyboard vs. Piano - Which One Do I Need? | Gear4music","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/blog\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/blog\/keyboard-vs-piano\/#primaryimage"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/blog\/keyboard-vs-piano\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\/2024\/09\/Featured-image-Keyboard-vs.-Piano.jpg","datePublished":"2024-09-25T16:27:56+00:00","dateModified":"2025-11-17T13:46:36+00:00","description":"Keyboards and pianos are closely related, but which will suit your playing? Our keyboard vs. piano guide will help you find the right one.","inLanguage":"en","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/blog\/keyboard-vs-piano\/"]}]},{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en","@id":"https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/blog\/keyboard-vs-piano\/#primaryimage","url":"https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\/2024\/09\/Featured-image-Keyboard-vs.-Piano.jpg","contentUrl":"https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\/2024\/09\/Featured-image-Keyboard-vs.-Piano.jpg","width":1330,"height":665,"caption":"Featured image - Keyboard vs. Piano"},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/blog\/#website","url":"https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/blog\/","name":"Gear4music Blog","description":"News, tips, deals &amp; loads more...","publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/blog\/#organization"},"potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/blog\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en"},{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/blog\/#organization","name":"Gear4music","url":"https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/blog\/","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en","@id":"https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/blog\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\/2021\/12\/b75da5e6-blog-logo.png","contentUrl":"https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\/2021\/12\/b75da5e6-blog-logo.png","width":600,"height":193,"caption":"Gear4music"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/blog\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/"},"sameAs":["https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/Gear4music","https:\/\/x.com\/gear4music","https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/gear4music\/","https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/company\/gear-4-music-limited\/","https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/user\/gear4music1"]},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/5c68b638736d83ffb6afdd19811668be","name":"Laura","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/ae28b8ddafd6d656e3e4cdd85699adfa34918cc41483f2cc53ea7928d3144b14?s=96&d=mm&r=g","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/ae28b8ddafd6d656e3e4cdd85699adfa34918cc41483f2cc53ea7928d3144b14?s=96&d=mm&r=g","contentUrl":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/ae28b8ddafd6d656e3e4cdd85699adfa34918cc41483f2cc53ea7928d3144b14?s=96&d=mm&r=g","caption":"Laura"},"description":"Laura is a content writer with 15 years' drumming experience. Her musical tastes range from Led Zeppelin to Phoebe Bridgers.","url":"https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/blog\/author\/laurabentley\/"}]}},"publishpress_future_action":{"enabled":false,"date":"2026-08-21 08:05:19","action":"change-status","newStatus":"draft","terms":[],"taxonomy":"category","extraData":[]},"publishpress_future_workflow_manual_trigger":{"enabledWorkflows":[]},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/39651","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/34"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=39651"}],"version-history":[{"count":24,"href":"https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/39651\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":48758,"href":"https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/39651\/revisions\/48758"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/39695"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=39651"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=39651"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=39651"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}