| In this article, I will discuss what keyboard features you | | | | different rhythms and many keyboards in this price |
| should expect for your money. | | | | range contain a great deal more. Normally when using |
| The actual keyboard is the thing to look at next. That | | | | the rhythm section or drum machine as it is sometimes |
| is the keys that make up the keyboard. Most | | | | called it is used in conjunction with an “auto |
| keyboards in our price range have 61 full size keys to | | | | chord” feature. This means when you play a left |
| make up the keyboard, some of the lower price ones | | | | hand chord, the computer inside recognises the chord |
| maybe 49 full size keys, as a beginner this is not a | | | | being played and adds a bass line and maybe a |
| problem because even with the 49-note keyboard you | | | | rhythm guitar and possibly a brass section, which |
| won’t need to play all the keys. | | | | results in a great sound and makes the whole learning |
| Make sure however that the keys are full size and not | | | | playing experience a lot more interesting. |
| half size. Even if you have young children that want to | | | | The “auto chord” feature is called different |
| play. There is absolutely no advantage in choosing half | | | | names on different keyboards, such as “fingered |
| size keys over full size keys. Full size keys are | | | | chord” or “magic chord”. There is also a |
| approximately the same size keys as piano keys and | | | | feature sometimes referred to as “single finger |
| are also referred to as standard keys. | | | | chord” or “easy chord”. |
| Also some keyboards have a “touch sensitive | | | | This feature is utterly useless if you want to learn to |
| keyboard” this means the harder you press the | | | | play the keyboard properly but it is included on most if |
| keys the louder the sound this is a great feature and | | | | not all keyboards and is a great selling point used by |
| can create expressive music however, for young | | | | sales staff quite legitimately to create the initial interest |
| children, they may not be able to press the keys hard | | | | in a keyboard. You can use this feature to show |
| enough to produce a respectable sound. Therefore, it | | | | family and friends what a great player you are and |
| would be advisable to check that the “touch | | | | simply switch back to “auto chord” to learn to |
| sensitivity” can be turned off or adjusted. | | | | play the keyboard properly. |
| Next, sounds and rhythms. Keyboards in this price | | | | Finally make sure the sound you are listening to is |
| range should have at least 128 sounds. These sounds | | | | coming from the keyboards own speakers. |
| are known as a “General MIDI” sound set. Most | | | | Keyboards are sometimes connected to amplifiers, |
| new keyboards made today of any price will include a | | | | which can make then sound better. Make sure you |
| “General MIDI” set of sounds and so it has | | | | know what your keyboard sounds like from its own |
| become very easy and cheap for manufacturers to | | | | speakers before taking it home. |
| include these sounds. | | | | In part three I will discuss keyboard features you might |
| The rhythm section should contain a minimum of 20 | | | | find useful and still stay within your budget. |