My first serious synth purchase was the Yamaha TG500 sound module. Although it cheated somewhat, it was heralded as the world’s first 64-note polyphonic synth, and used Yamaha’s Advanced Wave Modulation (AWM) sampling technology. Of course, I already had a keyboard to control it – I think it was a […]
Korg has introduced three new concert series digital pianos to its range. Features include: Korg’s proprietary “Piano eXperience” technology that delivers richly expressive piano sounds. High quality PCM multi dynamic level samples including string resonance and damper noise samples. Up to 62 note polyphony. Real Weighted Hammer Action 3 (RH3) […]
The Minod Vorga is a new analog synth (being released this month) “designed to offer a unique sound and an easy-to-use interface.” The official website describes the effort that has gone into designing a fast and easy interface with much reliance on the joystick. The analog joystick by default controls […]
In basic terms, polyphony describes how many notes an electronic instrument can play at any one time. Why would you need more than 10 notes of polyphony? You only have ten fingers, right? Yes, but you also have a sustain pedal and the potential for many notes to be sounding […]
This article may help you to learn the sound of different musical intervals, listing songs that contain that interval.
A mini-rant about the virtues of 'real piano music', the ability to play by ear as opposed to from printed score, and elitism...
This article discusses seven simple ways to develop your finger strength and dexterity and so improve your piano playing technique.
With the Christmas holiday season now less than a month away, there is often a call for the pianists and keyboard players to play seasonal favourites and carols. So, I’m providing a growing collection of links that might be of use to keyboard musicians, including resource sites around the web, […]
A keyboard is not just for Christmas: A Buyers Guide Introduction – Part One: Type – Part Two: Budget – Part Three: Features – Part Four: Extras – Part Five: Manufacturers Here’s a list of popular keyboard manufacturers and their websites so that you can see what sort of instruments […]
A keyboard is not just for Christmas: A Buyers Guide Introduction – Part One: Type – Part Two: Budget – Part Three: Features – Part Four: Extras – Part Five: Manufacturers You may settle on a particular keyboard, but remember that to get the best from it, you may well […]
A keyboard is not just for Christmas: A Buyers Guide Introduction – Part One: Type – Part Two: Budget – Part Three: Features – Part Four: Extras – Part Five: Manufacturers Once you have a fairly good idea of what type of keyboard instrument you want to buy, and what […]
A keyboard is not just for Christmas: A Buyers Guide Introduction – Part One: Type – Part Two: Budget – Part Three: Features – Part Four: Extras – Part Five: Manufacturers With such a wide range of different pianos, keyboards and synths on the market, it’s not surprising that there’s […]
A keyboard is not just for Christmas: A Buyers Guide Introduction – Part One: Type – Part Two: Budget – Part Three: Features – Part Four: Extras – Part Five: Manufacturers Wow, what a choice! Acoustic pianos, digital pianos, home keyboards, workstations, synthesizers… there’s a big range to choose from. […]
A keyboard is not just for Christmas: A Buyers Guide Introduction – Part One: Type – Part Two: Budget – Part Three: Features – Part Four: Extras – Part Five: Manufacturers I’ve written this guide to help anyone looking to buy the perfect keyboard/piano this Christmas, either as a gift […]
by: Duane Shinn There are roughly umpteen zillion reasons why you should learn enough chords to be able to “chord a song” at the piano. By “chord a song”, I mean the ability to play 3 or 4 chords on the piano in some sort of rhythm while you or […]
Since this article was first written, both the P-120 and P-140 have been superseded. See the Yamaha P Series digital piano comparison article for more details. Be sure to read the comments section at the end of this article for some excellent additional information and opinion. I’ve noticed a few […]
A key component of modern electronic music is MIDI. The Musical Instrument Digital Interface protocol was introduced in 1983, as a collaborative effort between major electronic instrument manufacturers including Korg, Roland and Yamaha. MIDI allows compatible devices – usually keyboards, synthesisers, drum machines, sound modules, and computers – to communicate […]
