Even though a music (electronic) keyboard comes with several voices (instrument sounds / patches), you can create many more interesting voice combinations. The several voices on a music keyboard can be used with features like Split and Dual to get an amazing experience…and a totally new set of sounds. Learn to use these features on Yamaha Music Keyboards and enhance your keyboard playing experience.
Keyboards Come With Several Voices
It’s very common to find hundreds of voices (sounds) on digital piano keyboard, and if you pick up a Yamaha electronic keyboard you will see that these various voices are slotted in different categories of instrument sounds such as:
Piano, E. Piano, Organ, Accordion, Guitar, Bass, Strings, Choir, Saxophone, Trumpet, Brass, Flute, Synths, Percussion, Drum Kits
These cover most of the categories though some of the advanced keyboards will have a few more type of sounds.
Video showing how to select and use the various voices on a Yamaha Music Keyboard
Selecting the Voices
The voice category is provided so that you can straightaway select the instrument sound that you are interested in.
There are a couple of ways in which you can select an instrument voice on a Yamaha music keyboard.
You can type the voice number directly (if you know it) or you can go to the intended voice category and using the plus or minus buttons reach the intended voice.
Various Combination of Voices
Besides the usual voices, you also get a couple of interesting features which can give you some interesting sound combination.
Dual: Means you can play two voices/instruments at the same time across the length of the keyboard. For instance you can have the Piano and Strings sound together. Interesting isn’t it?
Split: Use this feature if you want to split the keyboard so that you can play one instrument on one side of the split and another instrument on another side of the split. So you can have a Bass instrument sound on the left and piano on the right side of the split point.
Watch: Here’s how to split the keyboard so that you have one voice on one side and another on the other side.
Watch: How to select tones, use layer and split funstion, REGISTRATIONS & PIANO SETTING
As you can see, you can come up with some interesting combinations of voices by using the Split and the Dual feature on a music Keyboard (be it Yamaha, Casio or any other brand).
Yamaha Keyboard Reviews
What Features to Look For?
Here are some of the features that you need to have in your second music keyboard.
Layering – Ability to use two voices together! Also known as the dual voice feature. For instance you can layer strings on top of the piano voice to produce a much richer sound.
Split – Ability to split the keyboard into two parts.
Programmable Pads – Save the settings which can then be recalled at the touch of a button. Useful if you want to make changes in the middle of a piece.
Pitch Bend – Learn the pitch-bend wheel effects. Use it with electric guitar and other cutting edge sounds.
MIDI – A way of connecting your Yamaha music keyboard to a computer… which throws open a whole lot of opportunities for you to produce your own music. With Midi, you can use your keyboard to record notes on a software sequencer!
In general, your second/upgrade keyboard should have a better sound quality, as well as build quality. In case, you’re looking for something that will give you more control over the sound, go in for a synthesizer.
Upgrading to a Better Keyboard
An electronic keyboard with touch response keys, handful of voices & rhythms, and with 61 or lesser number of keys can be decent enough as your first electronic keyboard.
But once you have spent about a couple of years learning, it may be time to upgrade so that you can learn the finer aspects of an electronic keyboard. Besides, a more-than-basic keyboard can even be useful for appearing for music examinations.
Good Brands to Consider
Yamaha, Casio, Roland, Korg are some of the popular brands that you may consider for selecting a high end keyboard.
If you looking for Yamaha music keyboard, you have plenty of options to choose from. Yamaha offers everything in music keyboards – digital pianos, portable keyboards, midi keyboards, workstations & synthesizers. Irrespective of your musical ability, you will surely find a Yamaha keyboard that meets your needs.
Yamaha also has some great 76 and 88 keys music keyboards, especially for keyboard players who would like to play a lot of piano pieces on their keyboards.
This site is a good place to read about various Yamaha music keyboards – portables, digital pianos, midi keyboards, workstations & synthesizers. Take some time to read the reviews mentioned on this site!
Yamaha is a well respected name in the music industry. Their electronic keyboards are of the highest quality and are known to deliver. Yamaha music keyboards are used by a lot of professionals and it remains one of the most sought after brand. Intermediate players can find a wide range of Yamaha music keyboards to choose from.
KeytarHQ editorial team includes musicians who write and review products for pianists, keyboardists, guitarists & other musicians. KeytarHQ is the best online resource for information on keyboards, pianos, synths, keytars, guitars and music gear for musicians of all abilities, ages and interests.
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