Piano Lessons Or Keyboard Lessons – What Is The Difference?
Understanding the key differences between a piano and a keyboard.
When people ask, "What is the difference between a piano and a keyboard?" they are usually asking two distinct questions: What are the physical differences between the instruments, and how do the lessons for each differ?
At Musiah, we offer a unique approach: high-quality piano lessons designed to be taken on a MIDI keyboard. Here is everything you need to know to choose the right path for your musical journey.
Instrument Differences: Piano vs. Keyboard
An acoustic piano is a traditional instrument with weighted keys, while a keyboard is an electronic instrument (requiring a power source) with unweighted (light) keys. Both have unique benefits:
- The Acoustic Piano: The weighted keys are excellent for building finger strength and technique. The natural resonance of the strings creates a rich sound unique to the instrument. However, pianos require expensive, regular tuning.
- The Keyboard: Keyboards never need tuning and offer a vast variety of sounds and backing tracks. They also encourage very precise playing, as mistakes are often more "exposed" than on an acoustic piano.
Crucially, MIDI keyboards can connect to a computer or iPad, allowing you to use software for real-time feedback and near-zero latency practice.
What About Weighted Keyboards?
To avoid confusion, it is important to use the correct terminology. A standard "keyboard" has unweighted (light) keys. If an electronic instrument has weighted keys designed to feel like an acoustic piano, it is correctly called a Digital Piano.
When the term "MIDI keyboards" is used, it generally refers to any electronic instrument—weighted or unweighted—that has the MIDI capability to connect to a device.
Buying a new instrument? Read our Weighted vs. Unweighted Buying Guide.
Piano Lessons vs. Keyboard Lessons
There is a significant pedagogical difference between these two types of instruction:
- Keyboard Lessons: Often focus only on the right-hand melody while the left hand plays one-finger chords or simple block chords.. This can limit a student's long-term musical growth.
- Piano Lessons: These teach the student to read and play the notes in both hands properly, providing a much deeper musical foundation.
Musiah provides traditional piano lessons, but our students learn on MIDI keyboards for practical reasons. We teach you how to read sheet music properly while utilizing the engaging features usually associated with keyboard lessons, such as backing tracks and performance challenges.
Over 80,000 students have learned piano through the Musiah Method
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