Keyboard instrument

A keyboard instrument is a musical instrument in which the sound is produced indirectly by pressing down one or more keys on a keyboard. The movement of the key sets a mechanism in motion, the action, which then produces the actual sound. The instrumentalist does not have his fingers directly on the sound-producing element.

The tone production of acoustic keyboard instruments can be very different. A distinction is made between striking (piano, celesta, dulcimer), plucking (harpsichord) or blowing (organ, accordion). Keyboard instruments occupy a special position in the groups percussion instruments, plucked instruments and wind instruments. Electronic keyboard instruments can be used as master keyboards to control external or integrated synthesizers, samplers or computers via MIDI or USB interface.

In the acoustic instruments of Western and Western music white and black keys on a keyboard are common. Other arrangements are found on the button accordion or bandoneon, where buttons are operated instead of keys.

On most keyboard instruments, the notes that can be played are fixed in pitch by the keyboard; it is not possible to glide seamlessly from one note to another. Exceptions are electronic keyboard instruments.

What all keyboard instruments have in common is that the duration of the sound can be precisely controlled from the moment the key is pressed until it is released (although in the case of the piano and harpsichord, the decay of the string represents a natural limit to the duration of the sound). Depending on the design of the specific keyboard instrument, other musical parameters can be influenced by playing:

• With the piano, the volume can be influenced by means of velocity and, to a limited extent, the timbre by means of the pedals.
• In the case of the organ and harpsichord, volume and timbre can be influenced indirectly, namely through registration.
• With the harmonium, as well as with hand-pull instruments such as the accordion, the playing pressure is under the direct control of the player and is one of the essential means of expression.

Most keyboard instruments can play several notes at the same time, so they are harmony instruments.

In the 17th century the instrumental name clavier stood for any keyboard instrument.

Examples

Keyboard instruments occur in the following classes of instruments:

• Chordophones: ("string sounders"): e.g. piano, fortepiano, harpsichord, spinet, virginal, clavichord, string piano
• Aerophones: ("air sounders"): e.g. organ, harmonium, accordion, melodica, portative
• Idiophone: ("self-sounding"): e.g. celesta, electromechanical musical instrument
• Electrophones: e.g. digital piano, synthesizer, keyboard, Hammond organ, Mellotron
• Hybrid instruments (combinations): e.g. claviorganum