How Many Piano Keys?

 

The piano has 88 keys.  52 keys are white, and 36 keys are black.  The white keys extend from the fall board to the key slip.  The black keys are raised above and are shorter than white keys, (a bit more than half the length of white keys).

Piano notes make up a groups of seven white keys and 5 black keys totaling 12 notes called an octave.  The white keys represent tones A, B, C, D, E, F, G, and the black keys represent flats or sharps.  The symbols that are used for flats and sharps are # for sharps and b for flats.

So, for example, if you are on “D”, if you go up a ½ step that would be a D#.  If you go down a ½ step that would be a Db.

 

Do all pianos have 88 keys?

No.  Some pianos have more than 88 keys, but they are rare and usually way more expensive.

The Bösendorfer Imperial features 97 keys

Stuart & Sons, an Australian manufacturer since the 1990’s, has created a grand piano with 14 more keys than a standard piano, for a total of 102 keys.

 

 

Do keyboards and pianos have the same number of keys?

 

Generally, intermediate to pro level keyboards or digital pianos will have 88 keys.  Most beginner keyboards will be either 61 keys or 76 keys.

 

What is the difference between a digital piano and a keyboard?

Digital pianos will generally only have one sound pallet…piano.  Some digital pianos like the Yamaha P-125 includes a few variations, (e-piano, vibes, organ, strings and bass).  So different sound variations are limited, and their focus is on creating a great piano sound.

A keyboard will have more sound effects that may include stings, guitar, drums, percussion, synth sounds, bass, woodwinds, brass…. etc.

Starting off on piano or keyboard

If you can get a full size piano, start off with that.  Get the best instrument you can within your budget that will make you want to play.  If sound is an issue, then a digital piano or keyboard with “headphones out” will be your best bet.  The minimum number of keys you should start with is 61 keys.