Keyboard instrument

A keyboard instrument is a musical instrument in which the sound by striking one or more keys is generated indirectly on a keyboard. By the motion of the key, a mechanism is set in motion, the mechanism, which then causes the actual sound source. The instrumentalist did so not rest your fingers directly on the sound-producing element.

The sounds produced may be very different in acoustic keyboard instruments. A distinction between striking (piano, celesta, dulcimer), plucking (harpsichord ) or bubbles (organ, accordion). Keyboard instruments take in Groups percussion instruments, stringed instruments a special position. Electronic keyboard can control as a master keyboard or external integrated synthesizers, samplers or computers via MIDI or USB interface.

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

On most keyboard instruments are determined by the keyboard, the playable notes in their pitch; a seamless Hinüber glide from one note to another is not possible. Exceptions are electronic keyboard instruments.

Allen key instruments in common is that the tone duration can be controlled precisely by pressing until you release the key (but is at the piano and harpsichord, the decay of the string is a natural limit to the tone duration ). Depending on the design of specific keyboard instrument other musical parameters through the game can be influenced:

  • In piano, the volume by means of velocity and limited timbre through the pedals can be influenced.
  • With organ and harpsichord volume and tone are indirect, ie through the registry, influenced.
  • When Harmonium and in Handzuginstrumenten like the accordion, the back pressure is under the direct control of the player and is one of the essential means of expression.

On most keyboard instruments, several sounds can be played at the same time, so they are harmony instruments.

In the 17th century, the instrument was the piano Identification for any keyboard instrument.

Examples

In the following classes of instruments, keyboard instruments occur:

  • Chordophones: ( " strings Klinger " ): eg piano, fortepiano, harpsichord, spinet, virginal, clavichord, string piano, hurdy-gurdy
  • Aero Phone: ( "Air Klinger " ): for example, organ, harmonium, accordion, melodica, Portative
  • Idiophone: ( "Even Klinger " ): eg Celesta, electro-mechanical musical instrument
  • Electric Phone: eg digital piano, synthesizer, keyboard, Hammond organ, Mellotron
  • Hybrid instruments ( combinations ): eg Claviorganum

Two-manual harpsichord

Spinet

Clavichord

Church organ

Electronic Heimorgel

Digital Piano

Keyboard

Master Keyboard

Celesta

Accordion

Hurdy-gurdy

Plucked string instrument Wind instrument Midiboard Sampler (musical instrument) Squeezebox String instrument HTML5 Bowed string instrument Integrated Authority File
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