What's the Difference Between a Keyboard, Digital, or Acoustic Piano?

Keyboards are typically smaller than a full acoustic piano in that they tend to have approximately 61 keys (4 or 5 octaves) whereas a full acoustic has 88 keys (6 octaves). The main benefit, however is that the keyboard is portable, able to provide a wider range of sounds, due to sound modification, and the ability to interact easily with computers via MIDI or USB connections.

When playing a keyboard one will notice that the keys are slightly smaller and are in fact easier to press than an actual piano. This may take some getting used to for a pianist that has been playing on an acoustic. The reason that the acoustic is heavier is because they are triggering the hammer that hits the string and makes noise, whereas a keyboard does not require this action to occur. Since the keys are lighter and smaller keyboards are sometimes better for younger children.

Digital pianos are a mix between the keyboard and acoustic piano. Digital pianos allow for a greater variation in sounds because they allow for sound modification. They are however, larger than a keyboard and are usually the same length (88 keys) as an acoustic piano.

The sound quality of a digital piano is often better than a keyboard because they typically have built in speakers, but this also reduces the portability of in comparison to the keyboard. Digital pianos also tend to have "weighted keys" which make them feel more like an acoustic when playing.

Acoustic pianos are the original and true form of piano playing. The piano, as we know it today, has been around since about 1700 (for more history of the piano refer to our piano history section in our piano articles).

The term acoustic was recently added to the piano after the creation of digital pianos. Therefore when one refers to an acoustic piano they are referring to a piano which makes sounds acoustically, which means through the vibrations caused by the hammer hitting a string. The vibrations are amplified by a board in the piano referred to as the "sound board." The soundboard then evenly distributes the sound via the cabinet (if your piano is enclosed) or out the top lid, in the case of a grand piano.