You may have decided to get Kawai MP7 as opposed to an acoustic piano for many reasons, such as availability of multiple tones, headphone playing capability, discounted price, etc. But before you get one, make sure you like the feel of the keyboard action. This is the way the keys feel when being played.It all concerns what type of weighted keys the keyboard uses.
If you wish the feel of the acoustic piano, you will want a weighted keyboard. Many digital pianos will emulate the feel of your acoustic piano by using keyboard weighted keys. They are able to do this in multiple ways. Before we look at some of the different keyboard weighted types, let’s obtain a quick understanding of how an acoustic piano gets its “feel”
An acoustic piano utilizes a hammer striking mechanism. When you press the keyboard keys it presses a lever. The lever causes a hammer to strike the strings. The hammer then bounces off of the string. The real key returns towards the resting position by the weight from the hammer and levers. It’s very natural feeling without any springs. It just uses the load from the hammer and the momentum from bouncing from the string.
This kind of feel is what digital pianos attempt to recreate. So let’s consider the three varieties of keyboard actions.
Non-Weighted Keys
Non-weighted keys are extremely light feeling. These are what organs and synthesizers use. Obviously, they do not possess the heavy, weighted feel that you receive from an acoustic piano. While there is little weight and no hammers using momentum from bouncing off a string, these non-weighted keyboards must use springs to take the keys to the resting position. The upside to this is the fact that keys are simpler to press allowing quick movement on the keyboard. The downside is it feels nothing as an acoustic piano. Also, when keys so easily press down it is actually easier for your finger to barely graze a key that you had no goal of playing, creating a noticeable mistake in your performance.
Weighted Keys
These keys possess a weight in them to give them some substance. The weight means they are harder to press down, much like you’d expect upon an acoustic piano. They come near to feeling like best digital pianos with weighted keys. However, they do not have any type of hammer mechanism in them, so because aspect they will likely not feel as if an acoustic piano. The good news is that to get a cheaper price this kind of weighted keyboard comes close to approximating the feel of the acoustic piano. The bad news is that you simply will always be lacking that “momentum” feel on the keys of your acoustic once the momentum of the hammer bouncing from the string plays a part in bringing the keys returning to a resting position.
Weighted Hammer Action Keys
These types of weighted keys come the nearest to emulating the feel of the acoustic piano. Keyboards with this particular feature utilize a hammer simulating mechanism to offer you the feel of any moving hammer. Some digital pianos even use actual hammers, not just a simulating mechanism. The large one you think of is Kawai’s AHAIV keyboard action. By using these weighted tqbxpt you do not only have the weight and resistance on the keys, however you will also get the feel of the hammer’s momentum. Both features you get upon an acoustic piano keyboard.
Other Keyboard Descriptions
Before you purchase an electronic digital piano, you will find other phrases that describe the keyboard action. The most frequent one will be Weighted Scaled Hammer Action. So what does the phrase “Scaled” mean? It indicates that this keys emulate the feel of an acoustic grand piano when you are heavier on the lower notes and lighter on the higher notes.
On an acoustic grand piano, the low notes are a little harder to press compared to higher notes. So to emulate that feel, electric piano for sale manufacturers is likely to make their lower notes heavier. Other phrases you will notice that describe this same thing are “Graded Hammer Action” and “Progressive Hammer Action.” Also, look for the phrase “weight gradation” to indicate keys are heavier within the lower end and lighter inside the top end.
Each manufacturer of digital pianos seeks to help make their keyboard feel as near with an acoustic piano as is possible. They will likely each practice it in a different way based upon their technologies and patents. Every piano player could have their opinion about which digital piano feels “the very best.” If you wish the feel of your acoustic piano you know to narrow your set of digital pianos to people with weighted hammer action. But the only method to determine if you like the feel of any particular digital piano would be to play it.
