Welcome to another installment of The Keyboard In Modern Worship, by Sojourn worship leader Rebecca Elliott. Rebecca is a featured singer-songwriter on our Before The Throne and Advent Songs records. She was featured, along with Neko Case, Okkerville River, Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova, and other great artists on the recent compilation album Before The Goldrush. Rebecca is also an impressive pianist and experienced piano teacher. In this installment, she talks about what kind of things to look for when you’re in the market to buy a keyboard:
Choosing a keyboard can be overwhelming, with all the options out there. The choices range from basic digital piano with four or five extra sounds, to full blown synthesizers and workstations with more than a thousand different sounds.
Personally, my main goal in looking a keyboard is to get one with a really fantastic piano sound. Having the synths and pads and various other sounds, it’s all well and good, but for a classical pianist, or a piano player in general, the piano sound is the most important.
My second goal, which is nearly as important as the sound factor, is finding a keyboard with good weighted key action. I’m a fan of Yamaha’s Graded Hammer Standard weighted keys. I don’t like the thin plastic digital sensor keys, as it is more difficult to get much range of expression from them. I always look for a full size (88-key) keyboard with full size keys and weighted action. The more it feels and sounds like a piano, the better.
My personal keyboard is an Alesis QS8.7, but I believe that line (Alesis QS) has been discontinued. I’ve had it for 10 years, and it’s been through a ton. But it still works great, and has wonderful piano and synth sounds, and a great feel. If you can find one, or somebody you know is selling one, jump on it… It’s a great deal.
Other than the Alesis keyboard, the only other keyboards I’ve played lately are Yamahas. When I decided to get a new keyboard, it will almost certainly be a Yamaha. The piano sounds are amazing, and the key action they use in their weighted keys is close to the feel of an acoustic. They have a wide price range, and a lot of options to choose from. Here’s a few to start out with -
Yamaha Motif XS8 – $3600 (this is the one we use at Sojourn)
The most important thing when you’re looking for a keyboard is to know what you need. If your primary use is piano sounds, you can get away with a simple 8 sound digital piano. If you need a workstation, or the option to use lots of different synths and such, you’re going to pay a bit more for it.
Go to a music store and play different keyboards, ask questions, and do oyur research, and you’ll find what you’re looking for.
