Digital piano keyboards and digital pianos usually have 88, 76 or 61 keys, although they are available with as little as 49 or even 32. The number of keys you should be looking to buy depends largely on your musical requirements, so make this decision before you start to look for an instrument.

If you are using your keyboard or digital piano as an acoustic piano substitute, you will undoubtedly need the full 88 keys. This will enable you to play any composition, no matter how complex, without having to transpose sections to avoid running out of keys. Although piano students may not need the full 88 keys initially, it is worth investing in an 88-key piano keyboard for when their playing ability develops. Some of the popular brands that offer full 88-keys that have a touch that rival acoutic pianos include Yamaha keyboards and Kurzweil keyboards.

The other advantage of a full 88 key instrument is that they frequently have a weighted keyboard that simulates the feel of playing an acoustic piano. Different companies employ various technologies to ensure that the keys in the base area of the keyboard require a heavier touch than the keys in the treble area. Yamaha keyboards may feature a Graded Hammer Effect keyboard, whereas Korg keyboards use a technology known as Real Weighted Hammer Action II.

So why would you want to buy a keyboard or digital piano with less than 88 keys? One of the main reasons is that they are more portable. Instruments with fewer keys are inevitably smaller, lighter and easier to carry around. If you will need to carry your keyboard around with you it may be worth looking at a 61 or 76 key instrument. These will fit much more easily into the back of your car or an airplane locker and will take up less space on a cramped stage area.

Another important factor when deciding to opt for less than 88 keys is cost. Instruments with fewer keys are less expensive, even though they may otherwise have the same specification. Take the Kurzweil range of stage pianos as an example. The only difference between the SP76 and the SP88 is the number of keys. While the 88 key version retails at around $1295, the 76 key version only costs $995.

If you decide you have no use for the full 88 keys you can save money buy choosing a smaller keyboard, or use the money saved to invest in an instrument with a higher specification and more functionality.

If you are in doubt about the size of keyboard you will use, you are probably safest to opt for 88 as you will never find yourself running out of keys. For a pianist the full keyboard is essential. However, you will need to be prepared to pay a little extra and provide a little more space for your new purchase.

About the author: Dan Maynard is a pianist, marketer and writer. He has a passion for playing the piano and learning about the latest models of digital pianos. You can visit Dan's web site at  Yamaha electronic keyboard
 

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