Differences Between Piano and Keyboard

Are you confused about which one is better for you- a piano or a keyboard- and can’t seem to make a decision? Are the skyrocketing costs of acoustic pianos an eye-opener for you as well? Or, have you ever found yourself thinking, “Is a keyboard the same as a piano?” Worry not, we hear you! We know how confusing it can get, especially for beginners, to decide whether to buy a keyboard or burn a hole in your pocket by purchasing a piano (yes, the acoustic one). So, we have crafted a detailed guide on the differences between piano and keyboard to help you make a sound decision (pun intended) before purchasing one of the two. 

Firstly, it is paramount to understand what a piano and a keyboard are.

What is a Piano?

The predominant feature of pianos is that they are acoustic instruments with hammers and strings. The piano produces sound when the keys get pressed, causing the hammer to strike the strings. The vibrations caused by strings produce the rich and harmonious sound that we love to hear on the piano. Needless to say, with the broad soundboard and the action mechanism employed, the pianos are majestic instruments and very heavy.

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What is a Keyboard?

Factually, a keyboard is an instrumental setting with black and white keys. So technically, all pianos have a keyboard. However, with advancements in technology, a modern piano-like instrument has become rather popular, which is called the keyboard.

One of the main differences between piano and keyboard is that the instrument keyboard works on electricity, unlike pianos, which don’t operate with electricity. The keyboards were designed keeping pianos in mind, so they are somewhat like acoustic pianos yet very different. So, what do you think are the differences between piano and keyboard? Let’s unravel the mystery now. 

Nowadays, many people use the word keyboard to describe digital pianos. However, keyboards and digital pianos are not the same, despite both working on electricity. 

In fact, digital pianos serve as an alternative to acoustic pianos, all while being affordable and super convenient. Digital pianos, designed to sound and feel the same as acoustic pianos, almost always have 88 keys, just like acoustic pianos. This feature makes them an excellent choice for players who want a piano-like sound without exhausting their savings. You can check out our article on 10 different types of pianos to learn more about keyboards, pianos, and digital pianos.

Piano vs. Keyboard: What’s the Difference?

Let’s now discuss the major differences between keyboard and piano to solve the famous piano vs. keyboard confusion. 

Features	Piano	Keyboard
Production of sound	Pianos produce sound when the keys get pressed, which causes the hammer to strike the strings. The vibration of strings upon striking causes the production of a deep and rich sound that pianos are famous for.	Keyboards produce the sound electronically, either through sampling or modelling. Keyboards need electricity to produce sound.
Tone and range	1. Since pianos work on hammer and string mechanisms, they produce a richer and more dynamic sound. The authenticity of the sound made by pianos sets them apart from their electronic counterparts. 2. Even though pianos produce a much more dynamic sound, they don’t offer a wide range of sounds; they play just one sound in a range of notes.	1. Keyboard-produced sound is not as authentic as that of a piano. However, some high-end keyboards can mimic the piano’s sound to some extent, but it’s never the same. 2. Keyboards have a wide variety of sounds to choose from. You can alter the sound with the help of cool features and play the sound of several instruments on just one instrument- a keyboard.
Volume	1. Acoustic pianos are exceptionally crafted and can produce a sound loud enough to be heard in large community halls without an amplifier. 2. You can’t adjust the volume with a knob, making playing sessions at odd hours troublesome.	1. The keyboard’s sound isn’t as intense as acoustic pianos. They need to be plugged into an amplifier to be heard in large spaces. 2. The volume of the keyboard is adjustable. Moreover, with headphones, you can take advantage of late-night practice sessions without troubling others.
Number of keys and pedals	1. Another significant difference between piano and keyboard is that the former has 88 keys. 2. Apart from keys, pianos also have pedals, one of the reasons behind the rich sound of pianos. Most pianos today have three pedals.	1. Most keyboards have keys varying from 61 to 76. Thus, not being able to reach deeper bass notes and higher treble notes like the piano. 2. The keyboards don’t have pedals.
The feel of the keys	1. Pianos have weighted keys, meaning the sound produced is deeper when more pressure is applied to keys and lighter when pressed softly. Weighted keys allow a pianist to have more control over the dynamics of the music piece. 2. The piano keys are slightly heavier, so playing them for a prolonged duration requires the player to build finger dexterity. Therefore, they are better suited for intermediate and advanced players.	1. Keyboards have unweighted keys. The sound produced isn’t affected by the pressure applied to the keys. Although the loudness can be controlled by volume knobs, it doesn’t match the ability of pianos to produce dynamically rich sound. 2. Unweighted keys are lighter, so keyboards are comparatively more beginner-friendly.
Size	Acoustic pianos, especially grand pianos, are gigantic and magnificent. They take up a lot of space.	Keyboards are significantly smaller in size and easy to set up. You can place them anywhere in the home or studio.
Portability	Due to their enormous size, moving acoustic pianos is one tough job. You would require professional help to move it around; yes, it’s that heavy and big!  However, digital pianos aren’t that big and can be moved around easily.	Keyboards are highly portable. You can effortlessly move around holding them. Their convenience and flexibility make them an appropriate choice for buskers and freelancers.
Cost	Pianos are acoustic instruments with a rich and powerful sound and tend to cost a lot. Even the lower end models cost way more than a good-quality keyboard.  Buying a piano is a big financial decision and can’t be taken as an act of frivolity.	Keyboards are budget-friendly, making them an ideal choice for people planning to learn the instrument as a hobby rather than professionally.
Maintenance	Apart from their high cost, the maintenance cost for pianos is quite high too.  Pianos require tuning at least twice a year, accounting for an added expense. Moreover, you need to ensure the environment is not humid, as dampness can affect their functionality.	Keyboards are low-maintenance instruments. They don’t require tuning and don’t have a hammer that might need maintenance if something goes wrong over time. So, you can just dust off the instrument regularly and you’re good to go.
Longevity	Pianos can last for a lifetime if maintained properly. Pianos can work efficiently for 100 years or more if properly maintained by owners. Considering the longevity, it won’t be wrong to say a piano is worth every penny spent.	Keyboards do not last as long as pianos. However, some top-quality keyboards can function efficiently for a decade or more if taken proper care. However, cheaper models can become faulty within a few years.
Genre	Pianos are very well-suited for classical, jazz, and pop music.	Keyboards offer a better sound for electronic, rock, and pop music.

I hope this table answers the most-asked question, “Is a keyboard the same as a piano?” So, no, the keyboard is definitely not the same as a piano. There are a lot of differences between piano and keyboard, from how they look to how the sound is produced.

Similarities between Piano and Keyboard

As you may have observed, keyboards and pianos are very different instruments. The only similarity lies in the fact that they have keys arranged identically. The finger and hand movements it requires you to make are also identical. Although some keyboards have slightly narrower keys, that does not account for much difference while playing the instrument.

Piano vs. Keyboard – Which One Should You Learn?

The decision to buy and learn an instrument is very personal and should be taken only after carefully assessing the following parameters: 

1. Most importantly, consider whether you want to learn piano as a hobby or professionally and the duration you would continue to play. 
2. Think about the amount of money you’re comfortable spending.   
3. Consider the space required to keep the instrument and if your living situation allows that. 
4. Consider whether you would want to move around with the instrument or not.

Conclusion

1. An acoustic piano will undoubtedly be an ideal choice for a teacher or a person aspiring to be a professional player. 
2. If you want to perform gigs or play in a studio, a good-quality keyboard will be a good option. 
3. However, if you are a beginner and unsure about your goals, you must start with a keyboard and see how you like it. 

Buying an acoustic piano isn’t a small investment. You have to make a thoughtful decision before you make that big of an investment and one that takes up so much space. Both instruments offer distinctive advantages and come with a few disadvantages too. So, you have to weigh them as per your needs and keep all the aforementioned points in mind.

Nonetheless, playing both instruments is very fun and fulfilling and there’s no joy bigger than sharing the joy of soulful music. To share the joy of playing the piano, Torrins offers comprehensive piano lessons, with a special mention of piano beginner lessons. We have piano song lessons on Hindi songs as well as English songs, ensuring our learners get the best of both worlds. Offering you an extensive list of topic-based piano lessons, we have it all, from jazz piano lessons to chord series piano lessons. We aim to make learning a fun process for everyone! 

I hope this guide helped you understand the differences between keyboard and piano and you can now evaluate which instrument would be a better choice for you! Happy playing!