In this article I am going to help you choose the right type of keyboard. Emphasis of this article will be on discussing the various features and types of keyboards in general rather than specific brands and models. Unfortunately, models change at an alarming rate, so if I were to recommend specific models, chances are that those models would be discontinued shortly before you finish reading this.

Keyboard Features
The features of keyboards can be a bewildering set of technical mumbo jumbo for the uninitiated buyer. Manufacturers will often have proprietary (often hyper-technical) names for some features, trying to make two similar products appear to have different features. Luckily, the features which count stay pretty standard, so let's discuss those.

Size & number Of Keys
There is only one size: full. While some manufacturers make instruments with smaller keys, they are not recommended and these instruments are generally regarded as toys. 'Nuff said.

The number of keys is usually one of the following: 48, 61, 72, 88 (full piano keyboard), although I have seen some controller keyboards with as few as 25. The number of keys has a direct bearing on size and weight of the keyboard, and thus the portability. It is usually possible to transpose a keyboard to allow reaching the higher or lower notes, but people taking piano lessons will normally need 72 or 88 keys.

Action
Simply, this is how a keyboard feels, the weight of the keys combined with the mechanism that makes it move. The lighter the action, the faster and less tiring it will be to play. But heavier, piano style keys can be more expressive. In order of weight and feel, the action types of a keyboard are as follows:

• Synthesiser action - Light plastic keys, very fast and easy to play
• Half-weighted action - Light synthesiser keys, with a small weight built in to make it heavier
• Full-weighted action - Keys which are made to be as solid and heavy as piano keys
• Hammer action - Full weighted keys with a hammer mechanism similar to a piano's

The type of action you choose, depends a lot on personal choice. If you play already, try the different types of action and see what is most comfortable. If you or yours is only starting out with lessons, speak to the teacher, as some insist on either a real piano or hammer action keyboards at a minimum.

Speakers & Outputs
Many keyboards designed for home or hybrid home/stage use will have a small amplifier and speakers built in. Those made primarily for stage use will only have output sockets (the assumption is they will always be used with a PA system). However, any decently made keyboard will have a headphone socket to enable personal practice. Output sockets are also common in the better home keyboards, which allow them to be connected to a Hi-Fi or PA system. Digital outputs are found on many of the better keyboards these days, allowing connection to a digital device such as a mixer or computer without any loss of sound quality.

Sounds
It is relatively easy for manufacturers to add lots of different sounds to a keyboard without raising the price too much. However, a limited sound set is not necessarily a bad thing, as it usually means that the manufacturer has concentrated on using all the available resources of the keyboard for a few very high-quality sounds. For a beginner, too many sounds can be distracting too - they end up playing with the sounds instead of learning to play the instrument.

Many of the better keyboards are now expandable, allowing for the purchase and installation of extra circuitboards which increase the number of sounds available. These expansion boards are often geared to a particular instrument type (e.g. orchestral strings or vintage keyboards, etc.) or style of music (dance, pop, etc.).

Auto-Accompaniment
This feature is found almost exclusively on home keyboards. It allows you to play a chord with your left hand, which is then used by the keyboard to play a "style" of music automatically with drums, bass and other backing instruments included. Your right hand is then freed up to play melodies. This enables you to sound like a full band. As seen at your neighbourhood shopping mall.

Pedals
Some of the better home electric pianos come with pedals as standard, sometimes even built into the stand (much as with a piano's pedals). Most have sockets which allow you to plug in a sustain pedal, sometimes a damper pedal can be added too. Advanced pianists will need both, but for most of us, sustain is enough.

MIDI
This is the standard interface allowing one keyboard device to talk to another. It is essential if you want to hook up extra sound modules (keyboards without keys) or record note information to a computer.

Keyboard Types
Now we get on to the types of keyboard available and the applications for which they are designed.

Home Keyboards
These are designed to be used in the home environment. With auto-accompaniment; speakers; a large sound set; synthesiser keys. Usually +/-61keys.

Electric Pianos
Made to be used at home. Speakers; limited but quality sound set (usually a few acoustic piano, organs, strings and some electric piano sounds); often with built in stands and pedals; 72-88 half weighted to hammer action keys.

Stage Pianos
A version of the above, usually without speakers and built in stand, but built to take the rigors of regular travel.

Synthesisers
Primarily for pro use. Usually: with a wide, quality sound set; a variety of key ranges (usually synthesiser keys); often expandable.

Controller Keyboards
A special keyboard with no sounds. Used to control synth modules or software synthesisers. All ranges of action and number of keys.

One More Important Thing
When selecting a keyboard, always check on the backup. Keyboards are very expensive Hi-Tech devices, and often cannot be repaired at your neighbourhood TV shop. If something goes wrong, you want to know that the supplier supports it fully, carrying spares, having competent technicians, etc.. Many department store brands stop supporting the model when it is discontinued (generally after a year or two), which will mean that even if you have a competent repair person, he cannot get the spares. If you are depending on your keyboard for your livelihood, it is ideal for your keyboard's agent to have a workshop close to you - having to ship it all the way across the country to get it repaired slows down the turnaround time appreciably.

To End It All
There are many manufacturer dependant variations and features which I cannot cover in the limited space here, but this article should set you in the right direction, enabling you to know which type of keyboard suits your needs.