But if you’re serious about learning to actually play, you need more.
Key Ingredients
There are a few features that keyboard players find essential.
One is that the keys are big enough.
Novation
Smaller keyboards often use narrow keys to fit more into the space available.
Another is key feel.
Keys can be weighted, so they feel like a piano rather than a toy.
Novation
Without this, there is no way to add expression to your playing.
And finally, you may want aftertouch, where the continued pressure on a key will affect the sound.
That’s a full-sized piano keyboard.
And then there’s the keybed.
“For me, I want a keyboard that is as close to a real piano as possible.
A nice keybed pulls a better and more organic performance out of me.
Anything I do on a keyboard is greatly benefitted by a nice feeling keybed.
It’s integral to the songwriting process to feel the responsiveness of the instrument.
And that responsiveness is what weighted keys give you,” says Ragland.
And here’s the kicker: It’s only $400.
It also runs off USB power.
And yet, its that big 88-key canvas that might make all the difference for learners.
