digital keyboards

[Helmut Wabnig]

>Oo -oo, I have a big problem with this.  Perhaps *some* pianists think
>digitals are fine--but pianists who are musicians will probably come down
>with a fine case of tendonitis after trying to pull expression out of a
>digital instrument.  Just can't get those nuances to speak on a digital!
>
>Barbara


Yes , I believe you. The mechanical world is the better world.
But - the digitals evolve, and they improve each new generation,
that is about every two years. Always test the latest models. They have
a simulated hammer action which bumps onto a stop. Still centuries
behind. Nevertheless some people already use them for classic solo and
accompanying in small concerts. I have seen that myself.

******* The audience liked it! ********
The sound can be controlled with all the means of the modern Hifi
electronics and adapted to the surroundings.

Remember: the only way to influence the sound is the speed of the
keypress and release. And the industry is putting very much money
into research. Wish we could have a look at their work in progress!

One disadvantage of the digitals I found out when I watched my
daughter: the plastic keys are too cold. Exactly spoken: they
cool the fingers too much. Paradoxically this has the effect,
that they start sweating. Little daughter then wipes her
hands on me. I did roughen the keys with fine sandpaper
which helpes a little. Now I think of blowing warm air from below
the keys or installing a heating wire with an electronic dimmer
underneath.

Did I mention my daughter? Listen to that story:
She gets piano lessions since three years now.
Last year she was sent to the regional music competitions
of the music schools in this area. There were 14 entrants
selected from a hundred or so, students up to age 10.
Daughter got the first rank. Somebody asked her, which piano
she has. A "Roland". Perplexity. They did not know that brand.
When they learned that's an electric, they were confused.
They still are.

Yours,
Helmut Wabnig
wabi@net4you.co.at
Austria