Klarinet Archive - Posting 000277.txt from 2001/12

From: "Ian Black" <clarinet1@-----.uk>
Subj: RE: [kl] Digital Keyboard
Date: Wed, 12 Dec 2001 12:48:41 -0500

As I own a Technics digital piano, I can recommend them. I have played
(about 5 years ago) the portable version which at the time had onl two piano
sounds and nothing else. (Not that I'm after a very wide range of voices -
my non-portable digital piano in the house has only 8 and I'm happy with
that) I have been very impressed with the feel of the keyboard.

I also use (a friend's) Roland RD150 stage piano in rehearsals and for the
show I'm MDing. It too has a nice feel to the keyboard and has 16 (from
memory) sounds. Depending on your method of amplification, you may not like
the piano sounds. I'm not that keen on them through his amp, but they sound
fine through headphones. I also have a friend who likes his Roland FP3. From
memory, the FP3 has a "better" keyboard than the RD.

I'm hoping to be allowed to buy an RD700 (or similar) in a year or two. I've
not tried the Yamaha models.

What I would look for in a digital piano are:

The feel of the keyboard - does it feel close to a "real" piano?

The polyphony - I wouldn't buy anything less than 32 voice polyphonic, and
would go for 64 if poss. One of the main reasons I like the Roland RD700 is
that it's 128 voice polyphonic. OK, so you only have 10 fingers, but you'll
start to notice notes disappearing if you use the sustain pedal or a reverb
setting and don't have enough voices to cope...

(for a stage piano or keyboard without an integral stand) portability. How
heavy is it?

Amplification - are there internal speakers? (usually not with
stage/portable pianos, but usually so with "piece of furniture" pianos)

Do I like the piano sounnd(s)? I have a synthesiser which is good for most
sounds, but in a digital piano, the piano sound must be excellent.

Above all, as with the purchase of any instrument, try them all out, and go
with the one you like the best.

Hope this helps

Ian

-----Original Message-----
From: fred.sheim@-----.net]
Subject: [kl] Digital Keyboard

Although I have been an avid clarinettist for 41 years, I am now, at the
age of 54, preparing to learn to play the piano. It is something I have
always wanted to do. Since I live in an apartment, I do not have room for
any kind of piano or the "noise" (to some) it generates. I have been
fortunate that I never received flack for my daily 2 hours of clarinet
practice. I have decided to get a digital keyboard. Actually, I have
narrowed that search to the Yamaha P80, for various reasons, probably the
most important of which is the weighted keyboard that is supposed to have a
real piano touch. It would be greatly appreciated if anyone could contact
me privately with suggestions or comments on digital keyboards. I want to
start off on the right foot! (I am NOT giving up the clarinet- just giving
myself another activity!)

Thank you.

Fred

P.S. My underlying reason for doing this is to be able to accompany
myself. It has been impossible for me to find a capable piano player.

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