The classical piano had evolved from many previous models and sounds until it reached its own in 1709. The popularity of the traditional, classical piano soared throughout the music world and development of arts until the 1920s, when adaptations of the classical piano were created to give a variation on tone and profound tune acquisition.
Electric Piano – 1950
In 1950 the electric piano was born, which immediately opened the gates for chord organs for children and beginners, and chord pianos that permitted anyone with an inclination to study the keyboard and master electric piano or electric organ instruments. It was also during this period that the MGM movie musicals came into their own and such pianists as Jose Iturbi, Oscar Levant and Liberace filled our homes and theaters with amazing music of the keyboards. The classical artists were cherished on a nearly religious level, and the pianists we observed in films, on TV and recordings were our modern day heroes. Most little girls took piano lessons, myself included.The availability of a piano in my home was unprecedented privilege.
Synthesizers – 1960
The electric piano’s arrival was a very prescient gateway for the 1960s and the synthesizers to help us bridge the chasm between the digital piano and electric instrumental keyboard. My mother had never studied music and vocalized her desire to be an equal to her music playing children. In this way, the chord organ and electric piano offered beginning enthusiasts such as my parent the way and means to quickly learn musical notes for keyboard, along with corresponding chords.
Digital Piano is Born – 1980
With the technological boom of 1980s, digitalizing became processes for music and other arts. Digitalized pianos were created and opened our rooftops to the sky overhead as thirty years of evolution developed the great sound we expect and enjoy from them today. Professional artists, educators and individual performers hone their skills around the digital piano’s production of traditional classic piano tones. The quality of sound is so excellent it takes a professionally trained and talented ear to discern the real piano from digital piano. Our children and their children will benefit from advantages received from technology applications to piano instruments for the past thirty years.
Emergence of the Best
Current surveys report the best digital pianos in order of importance:
- Kawai
- Yamaha
- Roland
- Casio
- Korg
The emergence of music performers of varying types and cultures were all aided by technology afforded to the 1980s through today musicians, both young and old. We cannot discount the importance of the digital piano evolution.
I prefer piano KORG.