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hadas1218
New member
If I purchased a 61 key keyboard, would I be able to play jazz on it or would I need 88 keys? Thanks.
THM
New member
I think what you mean is: are 61-key keyboards hammer-weighted (feeling like real piano keys) or not ?
well maybe some 61-key keyboards are, but you'll rather find 76-key or 88-key hammerweighted keyboards. You just have to look in the features if the keys are hammer-weighted.
well maybe some 61-key keyboards are, but you'll rather find 76-key or 88-key hammerweighted keyboards. You just have to look in the features if the keys are hammer-weighted.
krushing
Active member
you can play jazz with one key if you know your sh*t. 
THM
New member
krushing said:you can play jazz with one key if you know your sh*t.
S
Sportsax
Guest
One Note Samba
krushing
Active member
THM said:
i just meant it doesn't depend on how many keys your keyboard has whether you can play jazz on it or not...i thought the original question was kinda funny (no offense).
THM
New member
no prob
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hadas1218
New member
What I meant by the keyboard was that jazz may use higher registers and can I register high enough on a keyboard that has 61 keys
Carnage
Back with a Boom Clap
Are you wanting to play live? If not you could record the lower parts, and then record the higher parts over it by transposing the notes (either on the keyboard or in software)
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Ondy
New member
In my opinion Jazz is much about improvisation and arrangement so you can play it with electronic 61-key just fine because you propably can transpose the pitch higher or lower...
The only thing is that usually dynamics suffer because of the light-weight keys but HEY it's what you are used to!
good luck!
The only thing is that usually dynamics suffer because of the light-weight keys but HEY it's what you are used to!
good luck!
D
dj funkifize
Guest
the only thing you'd lose in using less than 88 keys for playing jazz is the ability to go up really high or low in solos if you wanted to do that.
I don't know if you play jazz already, or want to get into it soon... but when playing jazz piano (most of the time) you just get the changes... that is the sheet music only tells you the chord changes and where they are, and you as the piano player make sure the chords are played right, in whichever voicing you feel is appropriate and in the right rhythmic feel that the group is playing. There is a lot of freedom, and 61 keys will be plenty for comping (accompanying, playing the chords and supporting the melody and other solos) and as for solos, you just don't have the same range as an 88 key piano, but that doesn't mean you won't be able to do it.
sorry if you already know this, but it seems like that's why you're asking.
good luck and have fun
I don't know if you play jazz already, or want to get into it soon... but when playing jazz piano (most of the time) you just get the changes... that is the sheet music only tells you the chord changes and where they are, and you as the piano player make sure the chords are played right, in whichever voicing you feel is appropriate and in the right rhythmic feel that the group is playing. There is a lot of freedom, and 61 keys will be plenty for comping (accompanying, playing the chords and supporting the melody and other solos) and as for solos, you just don't have the same range as an 88 key piano, but that doesn't mean you won't be able to do it.
sorry if you already know this, but it seems like that's why you're asking.
good luck and have fun
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herbalteaparty
Guest
Jazz pianists will you give you a hard time if you expect them to play a keyboard which is either:
A.) Less than 88 keys
B.) Unweighted keys
That's just a fact. Anything less would be uncivilized.
A.) Less than 88 keys
B.) Unweighted keys
That's just a fact. Anything less would be uncivilized.
D
dj funkifize
Guest
yeah, some guys might snicker at you for having a smaller keyboard with synth action keys... but screw them, if they want to buy you a keyboard with 88 keys and weighted keys, let them. But until they do that, they can shut up.
Anyway, if you can play you can play and that's all there is to it. It doesn't mean anything if you've got 88 weighted keys if you're not a good player.
Anyway, if you can play you can play and that's all there is to it. It doesn't mean anything if you've got 88 weighted keys if you're not a good player.