Can you learn piano with a keyboard?
In this article, you’ll learn about the differences between a keyboard and a piano, whether you can learn to play the piano with a keyboard, and what role the e-piano plays in all of this.
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Gordon November
Gordon November
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As the world-famous Loriot sketch so aptly puts it?
A piano! A piano!
The father wants to capture his whole family’s joy over the beautiful instrument in a self-made video. An old sketch that still works today. Why? Because the piano is one of the most beautiful instruments on the market. But also one of the most expensive. And yes, it’s truly special when a piano is finally delivered to your home.
I’m very sure you’re here because you want to learn to play the piano. But you don’t own a piano. You already have a keyboard, right? And now you’re asking yourself, why not learn to play the piano on a keyboard?
Fair question. After all, a piano – as Loriot already pointed out – isn’t exactly cheap. And I believe: The price of the instrument shouldn’t stop you from playing. So it would be great if your keyboard’s keys were your piano for now.
But can you really learn to play the piano that way? What are the big differences between the two instruments? And wouldn’t an e-piano also be a solution as a compromise?
I’ll tell you. In this article. Plus: At the end of the article, I’ll show you a particularly exciting way to learn to play the piano on a keyboard.
Keyboard or Piano
Piano or keyboard? Keyboard or piano? That’s the question currently on your mind. But also on the minds of many other aspiring pianists.
I know the question all too well. Because in my online course for intuitive piano playing, numerous Intuinauts are enrolled who ask me this very question. So often that it’s worth an article for me.
You see – you’re not alone with your question.
Difference: Piano and Keyboard
Piano or keyboard? To answer this question, you should first know the difference between the two instruments.
The Keys
The biggest difference you’ll probably notice immediately: the number of keys. Keyboards usually have 61 keys. A piano usually has 88. So does the keyboard have too few notes to learn piano? Not at all. The reduced number of keys won’t prevent you from learning to play the piano on a keyboard. So that’s your least concern. The big problem for aspiring pianists on a keyboard is yet to come.
The Price
I assume you’re a beginner at the piano. And as a newcomer, you’ll first need to buy an instrument. Here, the clear difference between a piano and a keyboard is obvious. The piano is much, much more expensive than a keyboard. For comparison: A standard piano costs between 2,000 and 3,000 Euros. You can get a solid keyboard for around 100 Euros. Wow, what an enormous price difference.
The Technology
A piano is a manual instrument. It runs without electricity. A keyboard, on the other hand, relies on an electrical connection. Without it, there’s no sound. And this very characteristic has its advantages. Because since a keyboard is an electronic device, you can play it with headphones. Especially when practicing, this is a more pleasant situation for you. And perhaps nicer for your neighbors too. Additionally, modern keyboards include practical features like a metronome or a recording program.
The Size
A keyboard is generally much smaller than a piano. You can practically just tuck it under your arm and take it anywhere. And you can spontaneously move the instrument around. That’s not so easy with a piano weighing around 200 kilograms. I certainly couldn’t do that! So if you want to be flexible with your instrument – or simply have limited space at home – then a keyboard is preferable to a piano purely in terms of size.
Maintenance
A keyboard is absolutely low-maintenance. A piano, on the other hand, requires a bit more attention. For example, the room where the piano stands shouldn’t be too cold or too damp. Additionally, a piano needs to be tuned regularly. A keyboard does not.
Sound Production
So far, this all sounds too good to be true. The keyboard is cheaper, more flexible, and in some situations, certainly more practical than a piano. You might be asking yourself: Why doesn’t everyone learn to play the piano on keyboards then?
Well, I already hinted at it. There’s a difference between a piano and a keyboard that’s hardly to be underestimated: sound production. On a keyboard, the sound is produced electronically. In a classic piano, a hammer mechanism is installed that sets tensioned strings into vibration, thus creating a sound.
On the one hand, this technology provides a much fuller and richer sound than a keyboard. But it also has another special characteristic. And that strongly influences your piano playing.
The key touch. If you’ve ever pressed a key on a keyboard, you might have noticed how light it is. A piano requires more force. And not just that. A keyboard offers a completely different playing feel.
I still remember my beginnings with the piano. Sometimes my younger self had the idea to practice on my father’s keyboard in between. If a song was solid, I was sure I could perform it on the piano too. And then this: Back at the piano, I had trouble performing the learned song as convincingly as I did on the keyboard.
Does that mean you can’t learn piano on a keyboard? Not necessarily… I have an idea for you.
Playing Piano on a Keyboard
Play Piano by Intuition
What have you taken away so far?
Ideally, that a piano and a keyboard are quite similar, but also have crucial differences. Since the keyboard is more flexible to place, cheaper, and technically quite practical, it actually has an advantage for beginners.
Actually?
Yes, actually. Because you can only learn to play the piano on a keyboard to a limited extent. This is due to the key action described above. It is quite complex on a piano and completely different from a keyboard.
The light keys of the keyboard create a completely different playing feel than on a piano. You tend to wobble when playing – playing unevenly. You can’t control your force as well.
Does this mean for you: If you want to play the piano, you absolutely have to invest in an expensive piano?
I’ll tell you. No! That doesn’t have to be the case. Because: There are electronic variants of the piano that combine the advantages of a keyboard and a piano.
E-Pianos and Clavinovas as a Solution
So-called e-pianos – i.e., electronic pianos – and also Clavinovas enable you to play with touch sensitivity. The transmission of key pressure and the resulting sound in these instruments are very similar to a piano. This means for you: A high-quality e-piano offers you – like a piano – different touch strengths. With a single key press, you can achieve various volumes and note lengths on an e-piano or Clavinova.
And that’s not all. There are even keyboards whose keys are modeled after piano keys. I don’t want to give specific recommendations here. But I’d be happy to give you a tip on how to distinguish such keyboards from “ordinary” keyboards.
In your search for a keyboard with piano-like keys, enter “touch-sensitive keys.” Or look for keyboards with this feature during your research.
The better solution: Inquire at your local music store about keyboards and e-pianos with “hammer action.” Then you’ll have something proper to learn piano with.
Tip: Try out all these instruments – even if you can’t play the piano yet. This way, you’ll get a feel for the key touch and can choose the e-piano model that best suits your preferences.
You’ll see: E-pianos with hammer action feel more substantial when playing than a classic keyboard that doesn’t have weighted keys.
Keyboard or Piano? The main thing is to start!
Better to start than to wait.
The biggest hurdle when learning to play the piano is starting. Those who wait too long put off something wonderful. Why, though? Our lifespan is limited and far too precious to wait.
By the way: You can also master piano playing as an adult!
Therefore, I tell you: Even if you ‘only’ have a keyboard: The main thing is to start. Because it’s still better to learn on a keyboard than without any instrument at all. And if you own a keyboard, you at least have no more excuses not to start learning piano.
If a piano doesn’t fit your budget right now and you don’t own a keyboard either, then choose a keyboard instrument that comes close to a piano.
A digital piano or even a keyboard with touch-sensitive keys is a great choice here. By the way, also if you need to be especially considerate of your neighbors. Because: With the electronic variants of a piano, you can adjust the volume or play with headphones. For beginners, that’s really a great thing.
So now what? You know which instrument you want to use in the future. The question remains which method is best suited for learning piano. I have a little secret tip for you. It’s coming now.
Learn Piano in Record Time - with Intuitive Piano Playing
You now know the differences between a keyboard and a piano. You know that starting with a keyboard is better than not starting at all. And that digital pianos are an exciting alternative for piano beginners like you.
Good. Let’s say you now have the keyboard instrument of your choice at home. Then you can start now, right?
Hmm… sure. But where or how do you start?
Nowadays, there are so many ways to learn to play the piano.
The selection of piano apps, online courses, music schools, and piano teachers is vast.
My Tip: Intuitive Piano Playing
If you finally want to start and have no more time to lose, I can only recommend intuitive piano playing to you. With this technique, you learn incredibly fast and – if you stay at it – can perform songs you’ve heard and your own songs on your piano or keyboard after just a few months.
“Intuitive piano playing? Playing songs by ear on the keyboard? Sounds like I’d have to be super musical!”
That’s what you’re thinking right now, isn’t it?
I can tell you with full conviction: Anyone can learn intuitive piano playing. You just need the right tools.
And where do you get that?
With me in the Masterclass Intuition. In this online course, beginners, advanced players, and even professionals learn how to play freely and without sheet music on their keyboard instrument. The course is structured to fit into your daily life. And you can return to your instrument anytime to learn more.
And the best part: As soon as you’ve completed the course, you’ll be free. A free pianist. A person who does their own thing on their instrument, completely without sheet music and without others’ instructions.
Perhaps you’re saying to yourself now: “Okay, Gordon. That all sounds nice and good. But I’m still not really sure if intuitive piano playing is for me.”
Ha! That’s no problem at all. I probably wouldn’t feel any different than you. Your skepticism is justified.
That’s why I have a little surprise for you: My free workshop for aspiring Intuinauts. That’s what we intuitive piano players at piano.university call ourselves.
In the workshop, I’ll teach you the first tricks and tips for intuitive piano playing. And you can find out if you want to delve deeper into the subject.
What are you waiting for? The clock of life is ticking. So, let’s get started.
Master Keys Without Sheet Music
With the new turbo training, you'll be proficient in every musical key within a few weeks.
(no sheet music knowledge required)
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Play Piano by Intuition
Master Keys Without Sheet Music
With the new turbo training, you'll be proficient in every key signature within just a few weeks.
(no knowledge of sheet music required)
