| LearnJazzPiano.com archives: Simple question about Weighted vs Non-weighted keys | |
| mindful -- 03/07/2005, 18:30:55 -- #11739 | |
| sup guys. I have just bought me a Kurzweil SP76 keyboard, and as everyone knows it has semi-weighted keys, and has real nice piano sounds. My question is, I am sort of an intermediate pianist so I figured that by buying this board with the semi-weighted keys and all, would be great for strengthening my finger independence and strength. The problem is, I really wanted the Roland Juno-d (a 61-key) board that does NOT have semi weighted action. But the juno has a whole "directory" of sounds and patches. The Kurzweil only has a select few. Was my decision to get the kurzweil a smart one? Does semi-weighted action vs non weighted really play a difference in my development as a keyboardist? I really wish the kurzweil had more features, but is that realy important? I can still return the kurzweil, so i'm just asking you all, was this the best choice for me? Thanks alot guys. | |
| CynBad -- 03/07/2005, 19:10:03 -- #11740 | |
| Weighted keys can make the keyboard feel more like a real piano, and can, if weighted ENOUGH, help build up the little muscles in your hand. Velocity-sensitive keys are really important too, so you can play with a range of dynamics, and shape your phrases, and balance the voices of your chords. Just depends on what you want out of the instrument. | |
| mindful -- 03/07/2005, 19:25:39 -- #11742 | |
| Thanks for the response Cynbad. I guess the biggest question is... If you took an intermediate with a semi-weighted (kurzweil 76-key) and an intermediate with a non-weighted (61-key Juno), would there be any advantage of one over the other given a 6 month to 1 year period? i'm really having some doubts on my decision. :-/ | |
| Scot -- 03/07/2005, 19:44:28 -- #11744 | |
| If you play the plastic non-weighted keys, you'll never learn how to make a good sound on a piano. If a piano player is going to buy keyboard, the #1 point to think about is how much it feels like a real piano. That's why I bought the Yamaha S90. It feels like a real piano. If I want the sounds the Juno offers, I will buy a Juno sound module and hook it up to my S90. Never ever ever buy a keyboard because you like the sounds- you can always (almost) get a sound module from the same manufacturer that will have the same sounds, if not more. Then you can hook it up to your keyboard that feels like a piano and play whatever sounds you want. If on the other hand you are an organ player, you don't need weighted keys and should go for the lighter feel. Really, practicing on a non-weighted keyboard is just about the worst thing a pianist can do to their hands and fingers. | |
| signal11 -- 03/07/2005, 20:24:00 -- #11748 | |
| For many years, I messed around with all sorts of synthesizers with non-weighted keys. When I decided to get serious about piano, I got a fully-weighted keyboard and couldn't believe how hard it was to play---I mean, I couldn't play anything for more than about 15 minutes. Now, having played on fully weighted keyboards for several years, I don't see how anyone can play on a non-weighted keyboard (well, I can do it, but it's so light and flimsy it feels like nothing is there). Also, I don't think I would have been able to function in a band without working on a fully weighted keyboard---I would have died the first time I played a gig on a real piano. Of course, I think that even a fully weighted electronic keyboard is a far cry from a real piano. Having just gotten a piano, I can't believe how much difference there is between the piano and my S90 sitting in the same room. | |
| mindful -- 03/07/2005, 20:26:56 -- #11749 | |
| Scot man, I really appreciate that advice. These questions had been eating up at me since my new board arrived. I really didn't think about the module thing AT ALL. Best thing of all, i hear the kurzweil 76 is indeed a great controller.There's really nothing else for me to say then. THANKS ALOT! | |
| mindful -- 03/07/2005, 20:30:46 -- #11750 | |
| thanks signal. Now i only have to figure out whether I should upgrade my kurzweil to a Yamaha or Roland. But since my money is limited, i realy do think the kurzweil was the best thing for my price range. But that could be a whole diffferent topic. Anyway, Thanks guys. | |
| signal11 -- 03/07/2005, 20:51:14 -- #11751 | |
| Well, if you're anywhere near Chicago, I'll sell you my slightly used Kurzweil SP-88X (fully weighted keys) for a steal ;-). | |
| lutonomy -- 03/08/2005, 01:56:59 -- #11753 | |
| Agreed with the weighted keys being the minimum thing for a pianist to work on. If there's any way you can practice on a real piano on a regular basis (at a church, school, etc), by all means. A lot of people think that the idea of tone is for wind instruments mainly, but it's equally applicable on piano. It's how you can tell Fred Hersch from Jarrett from Mehldau from whoever by the first couple notes. Practicing a real piano helps you develop that. | |
| elwapo -- 03/08/2005, 03:56:53 -- #11759 | |
| I found playing through the Hanon exercises on a fully weighted keyboard or preferably a real piano are a great way to build strength in your hands! | |
| 7 -- 03/08/2005, 12:13:39 -- #11771 | |
| I was gigging as a pianist before synthesizers were even invented. So naturally all of my formative years were spent on a real acoustic piano. However, nowadays I prefer a semi-weighted digital keyboard. It's easier to get those speedfreak runs without over-tiring or aggravating tendonitis. Also, they're always in tune and the action is always balanced and regular. My tuppence. | |
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