electronic pianos

[Richard Moody]

   If "keyboard proficiency" means that keyboards of all kinds are taught, the
synthesizer and so called "digital keyboards" should be included.
    Most pianists today, especially on the Musician's Union level are expected
to play electronic keyboards in addition to the piano. I rarely saw an orchestra
pit without one or more keyboards and synthesizers.  The same for on stage
orchestras in hotels and conventions. Every  high school now has one or two
keyboards in the music rooms.

    Surely such keyboards are now important enough to be considered necessary
for most institutions offering a music program.   Of course that would require a
budget.  Whether some can be used as "practice pianos" is still an issue. (With
the price of some "digitals" they should offer Kluge boards and Renner actions).
As for justification of cost, courses such as "introduction to" electronic
keyboards, midi, music computer applications, and actual experience in
orchestras and ensembles would be of great value to those in the job market of
today's music industry.  I see the electronic keyboard as another instrument of
its own class, achieving its niche in the modern music world and offering more
opportunities for the musician.  Rather than competing as a replacement for the
traditional piano, I think keyboards are actually enhancing the popularity of
the piano and certainly the regard (read market value)of those proficient in
both.
    Richard  Moody



----- Original Message -----
From: Rolf von Walthausen & Nancy Larson <pianos@traverse.net>
To: <caut@ptg.org>
Sent: Thursday, February 22, 2001 5:12 PM
Subject: Re: electronic pianos


First of all the director of the school should be advised that what s/he is
referring to are KEYBOARDS not pianos.   Other than the theory/composition
department (which uses keyboards attached to computers), the only places here
where keyboards are used are for class piano and a teaching studio where the
instructor simply wanted something on which to occasionally bang out the melody
line to make sure his brass students play on pitch.

Rolf von Walthausen
Interlochen Center for the Arts

>
> At 10:00 PM 2/21/01 -0500, you wrote:
>
> This afternoon I was asked by the director of the school of music what I
> thought of the idea of having
> electronic pianos in the classrooms rather than acoustic>
> Mitch Staples
> Ohio State University