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What is MIDI?
Many people learning how to play a musical instrument for the first time
begin with a music keyboard. Music keyboards are musical instruments
which have depressible keys that are tuned to produce musical notes in
specific frequencies. The most common types of musical keyboard
include traditional grand pianos, upright pianos, and pipe organs,
although digital pianos, electronic organs, and synthesizers are becoming
more popular as well.
The keys on a musical keyboard are arranged in octaves of twelve keys
apiece. Each 12-key octave consists of seven white keys and five
black keys. The traditional piano contains 88 keys; each manual on
an electronic organ usually has 61 keys. Portable synthesizers
often have 61 keys, and studio synthesizers normally have 76 or 88 keys.
Traditional keyboards are known for their rich, full tones, and are also touch sensitive. This means that how hard you press the key will affect the sound. Traditional keyboard pianos include spinets, uprights, baby grands, and grands. Traditional pianos and organs tend to be quite large, and they are not very portable!
Digital pianos, synthesizers, and keyboard controllers use computer
technology and usually feature MIDI interfaces so they can be combined
with digital sound modules and other digital instruments. They
usually allow users to compose their own music, overlay voices, or record
music to CDs. Digital music keyboards afford a measure of privacy
as they can be hooked up to headphones, and many are very portable.
MusicKeyboards.us features a directory of keyboard manufacturers and online musical instrument dealers plus a historical overview of keyboard instruments, tips for choosing a keyboard instrument, and an introduction to the Musical Instrument Digital Interface (MIDI).
Music Keyboard Dealers and Resources
- Music123
Features digital pianos, portable keyboards, pro keyboards, keyboard amps, and MIDI controllers.
www.Music123.com - Musician's Friend - Keyboard
Shop for synthesizers, music workstations, pianos and organs, keyboard amps & accessories.
www.MusiciansFriend.com
Musical Keyboard and Synthesizer Manufacturers
- Kurzweil
Digital pianos, professional and hobbyist keyboards, and rack-mount instruments.
www.KurzweilMusicSystems.com - E-MU / ENSONIQ
Find digital audio systems, sound modules, music keyboards, and samplers. Three decades of classic keyboard sounds.
www.EMU.com - Roland
Leading developer of electronic musical instruments. Find keyboards and synth modules, pianos, organs, digital recording & mixing equipment, and accessories.
www.RolandUS.com - Yamaha
Features music instruments and professional audio products.
www.Yamaha.com - Kawai
Acoustic pianos, digital pianos, and electronic musical instruments.
www.KawaiUS.com - Korg Keyboards & Modules
Music workstations, samplers, analog modeling synths, combo organs, and accessories.
www.Korg.com - Casio Music Instruments
Looking for the world's best keyboards and digital pianos?
www.Casio.com
MIDI Resource
- MIDI Manufacturer's Association
MIDI (Musical Instrument Digital Interface) specifications, resources, and info.
www.MIDI.org
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