4. Keyboard
Typically the keyboard of a stage piano has 88 keys, seeking to emulate the feel of a standard piano. To accomplish this the keys are not only weighted, the manufacturers also go to great lengths to reproduce the hammer mechanics of acoustic models as accurately as possible.
The feel of a keyboard is a matter of preference though, for this reason, whenever possible, you should take the opportunity to test a few different examples before buying. Generally those coming from a classical piano background prefer a keyboard with more resistance, while digital keyboard players feel more comfortable on ‘’lighter’’ keys. It is best to just give it a try and see what you like.
If an 88 key version is to heavy then there are stage pianos with 76 lightly weighted keys like the Kurzweil SP4.
88 keyed models make up the majority but there are also models with 73 or 76 keys, from Clavia and Kurzweil for example. Both of these variations were even offered on the forefather of stage pianos, the Fender Rhodes MK 1. The decision to use one of those variations usually comes down to the weight and with that the transportability. Some players also don’t need the lowest octave. For those who want to work with key switches on stage (switching or varying the sounds based on the area being played), a 88 key piano offers much more flexibility.
