Top reasons why ‘number of keys’ and portability matters in Piano Keyboards

Digital keyboard instruments (music keyboards/digital pianos) nowadays come with varied number of keys. Digital pianos are available in 88 (and 76 keys). Music keyboards and synths are mostly available in 61 keys (some may have 73 keys). Midi controllers and music keyboards for kids are mostly available with lesser keys (49, 37, 25).

Portability in piano keyboards is an important factor that many consider while buying a digital keyboard instrument. That is the reason why keyboards nowadays come with various numbers of keys.

Portable Digital Pianos

Today, fewer acoustic pianos actually get sold (because of price, amount of space it takes, maintenance costs, and so on). Digital pianos and keyboards are what most consumers buy.

Thanks to technology, the sound-producing mechanism (and the sound samples) are made available in a much smaller box. And you get a lot of flexibility, that one can expect from a digital instrument (this part applies to digital home pianos as well, the ones with the traditional piano looks).

Upright pianos and grand pianos occupy more space and require special handling if you have to move it to another location (for some reason). This is why compact/portable pianos are so popular nowadays, and appeals to beginners as well as to gigging musicians.

Digital pianos today are a lot more portable while retaining the piano action and touch of a real piano.

Portable digital pianos (with 88 keys) have a slimmer profile, are comparatively lightweight, yet have weighted keys and are perfect for those looking for a more portable piano for practice, something that is easy to carry around.  You also get portable pianos with fully weighted (hammer-action) keys to give you authentic piano action.

Portable pianos are also more affordable compared to traditional pianos.

Portable Digital Pianos for Practicing

Lot of beginners go in for budget portable pianos to save on cost; it makes sense to go in for something that is affordable and concentrate on learning.

If you have always had a piano at home and in case your son/daughter is moving to college, then a portable music keyboard with heavier keys will be preferable.

That way the keys will still feel like that of a proper piano and you can continue with your piano practice.

Here, you will have to see which portable piano will give you a proper balance of weighted keys, and at the same time is light enough to be carried around, and also doesn’t occupy much space in the college room.

You should ideally choose a 88-key piano that has a good sound, and feel (weighted keys), minus all the bells and whistles (all the extra features), unless you really want those extra features for some reason.

Portable Professional Digital Pianos

A lot of professional keyboards, designed for performance, are also available with 88 weighted keys. Top-end portable pianos, known as stage pianos (built for the gigging musician), usually do not come with built-in speakers.

These can be quite heavy, making it a challenge to lug around. So, you really need to weigh the advantages of owning a heavier one.

However, (if you’re an experienced player) you should ideally not reject a keyboard just because it’s heavy; If it comes with features that help you perform better, weight becomes a secondary issue. This applies to most professional keyboards.

Some stage pianos are heavy, but they are sturdy, built like a tank, and have full weighted keys (which makes them heavy) but if it sounds and feels awesome, you could possibly ignore the weight factor (although its going to be hard work to take it to the venue to perform).

Few musicians also own a backup keyboard that is lighter (yet loaded with features). So in case (on certain days), if they don’t have the energy to lug around the heavier one, they just opt for the lighter keyboard on that day.

• Detailed guide on piano keyboards
• Best pianos and keyboards for various price range

Portable Keyboards for Beginners

Arranger music keyboards, on the other hand, are available in various numbers of keys – 76, 61, 49, 37 keys. The ones with 76 keys usually have semi-weighted keys.

Most starter arranger keyboards are inherently lightweight because they are mostly used by school going kids and young adult learners. Though most of the learning happens at home, there are many instances where you may have to carry your music keyboard along with you. A lighter keyboard also is practical for such players, as it allows them to move the keyboard from one room to the other.

So, for kids, a lighter and portable keyboard is always preferred (they are also cheaper).

• Types of Keyboard Instruments

While 61-keys keyboards are more popular among beginners, you could also opt for a keyboard with fewer keys for children.  On the other hand, you could also choose a 76-key keyboard (with semi-weighted keys) that will allow you to play more songs (because of the more number of keys).

If your child is part of the school band or if he has to take part in a competition, a lightweight and portable piano keyboard (61 key keyboards) is always preferable! It is also easier to move it around within your house from one room to the other.

For kids, you can checkout toy pianos and musical keyboards; these are smaller in size. Keyboards with keys that light up also appeal to kids; these keyboards makes it easier to learn simple songs fast.

Portable Keyboard for Weekend Getaways

Even on those weekend getaways, if you love your musical keyboard and can’t part with it, you can take it along with you.

Just ensure you are carrying batteries, along with the adapter! Pack everything in your keyboard bag so that you can easily find all the things (accessories) and the bag will also keep your keyboard safe.

The best thing about a portable piano keyboard is that you can easily pack the instrument, along with adapter, batteries and your songbook in a keyboard bag, and take it along with you.

There’s another option, in case you frequently take your keyboard along, on those weekend getaways – a folding piano. You can checkout roll up pianos (foldable pianos). These can be rolled and won’t occupy much space in your bag. It allows you to be in touch with your music (the better ones come with USB as well).

For Performing Musicians

If you are a musician who performs regularly or need to carry it around so that you can demo your creations, portability becomes an important factor.

For experienced players, it can be a tricky situation as you have to choose between portability and the features/feel of the piano. For someone who has recently started landing gigs, portability would definitely not be on the mind as you want the best out of your gear.

You will need a stage piano that is lightweight and easy to haul around but not at the cost of features. Also, will a little extra weight matter if you think it adds to the robustness of the keyboard? I don’t think so!

You may consider owning multiple portable pianos. So depending on the audience, you may carry the lighter one if you feel it won’t impact the listening experience of the audience. From experience, you would definitely know your audience.

Having said that, a keyboard with 88 fully weighted keys is going to be comparatively heavier compared to a keyboard with fewer keys and synth-style keys!

If you need weighted keys, evaluate if you can go in for 76 keys, instead of 88 keys. See if you can introduce a keyboard controller in your setup because you can then have options of 61 weighted keys.

Consider getting a good case for your gear, so that they can handle the wear and tear associated with traveling. You can choose from soft padded gig bags or flight/hard cases.