The difference between a synthesizer and a digital piano

At present there is still interest in traditional keyboard instruments. Many children and adults specifically enroll in music schools for this direction, which is explained by the great sound when playing the piano and grand piano. But the music industry continues to evolve and now comes the new electronic instruments, the sound of which is also able to excite the inner man.

Such instruments are the digital piano and the synthesizer, which are visually very similar but have significant differences that are obvious to a person professionally involved in music. But for beginners it is not so obvious, so it is necessary to know the difference between a synthesizer and a digital piano.

What are they?

A synthesizer is designed to synthesize different sounds to create musical compositions. The more functional it is, the more sounds it can synthesize. The more expensive models can replace an entire orchestra, because they can imitate the sounds of various musical instruments, record and edit music.

The Digital Piano is an electronic musical instrument that reproduces the sound of an acoustic piano while offering most of the benefits of a synthesizer.

Both of these electronic musical instruments share similar features:

An externally similar keyboard.

The ability to connect with speakers, headphones, etc.

The availability of various courses on the Internet, which allow you to learn to play at home.

These are probably the only similarities between these musical instruments, so we need to look at their differences to make it clearer which one to choose.

How are they different?

The main point in which a synthesizer differs from a digital piano is the keyboard. The first instrument has lighter, softer and more weightless keys. Digital piano makers, on the other hand, do their best to make the keys of the instrument as similar as possible to the feeling of playing an acoustic piano. Their keys are heavy, with different weights. This is because electric pianos have almost the same hammers as acoustic pianos, only they hit the sensors instead of the strings.

It is the ability to feel the weight of the keys that is extremely important to pianists. It allows them to use dynamics in their playing, bringing the piece being played to life. The spectrum of key force has a profound effect on the sound being extracted. The expression and specificity of the performance of different musicians can be seen on the piano. You can't do that with a synthesizer.

There are other differences between electronic pianos and synthesizers:

Synthesizers most often have fewer octaves and therefore fewer keys. Typically, a synthesizer has 61 keys, while a classical piano and grand piano have 88.

The synthesizer has a wider range of functions. With it, you can reproduce the sound of a guitar, violin, drums and other instruments.

When you play a synthesizer, only your hands work, while playing the piano involves your shoulders, elbows, and whole body.

Almost all models of electric pianos already come with pedals (for synthesizers, you have to buy them separately).

Piano and piano - are there any differences?

We can make a small digression about one question that many beginners ask - what is the difference between the piano and the piano? The question is not quite right, because they differ from each other just as much as a school and a public school. The piano is a class of keyboard instruments similar in construction and sound principles. Here it makes more sense to ask about the difference between a piano and a grand piano.

Digital piano or synthesizer - which is better?

Electric pianos are purposely made to resemble classical keyboards, and with each new model released, the difference between the two is gradually erased. They are made so that a musician who moves from an electronic instrument to an acoustic piano will not feel much difference. They have a superb sound that recreates the vibrations of the strings, resonance and mechanics of classical keyboards.