7 Differences Between Keyboard, Piano, and Organ | Can You Learn Piano Using an Organ?

Before discussing the differences between keyboard, piano, and organ, it is better to first provide a brief description of each of these instruments.

What is an Organ:

Before addressing the differences between keyboard and piano, we will explain the organ. The organ is an instrument that has been used in churches since ancient times and can span up to about 9 octaves. It is worth noting that 7 white keys and 5 black keys constitute one octave.

The organ, or organum, has been the largest instrument in the world. Sound in this instrument is produced by blowing air through pipes located at the back of the instrument. Over time, the piano entered the market, which we will explain separately.

What is a Keyboard:

A keyboard is an instrument with keys arranged in a specific order and pattern. In addition to the musical instrument, the term keyboard is also used for the keys on a laptop or computer.

Playing the keyboard is similar to playing the piano, by pressing the keys. Each key produces a sound with a specific frequency, unique to that key. The keyboard is most commonly used in parties and concerts. The keyboard is often mistakenly called an organ, but below we will explain the difference between a keyboard and an organ, and finally the difference between a keyboard and a piano separately.

What is a Piano:

To better understand the difference between a keyboard and a piano, here is some information about the piano. To pronounce the piano correctly, it should be said as piano-forte, because “piano” means soft or gentle, and “forte” means loud or strong, ultimately referring to an instrument capable of producing sounds that are both gentle and powerful.

Pianos span 7 octaves and have one or two extra keys at the beginning and end. The frequency range of this instrument is between 20 and 5000 Hz. The method of sound production in a piano depends on its type, whether digital or acoustic. In the article Comparison of Digital and Acoustic Pianos, we have thoroughly examined these two types of pianos and how they produce sound.

Difference Between Keyboard and Organ:

Before discussing the difference between a keyboard and a piano, we first explain the difference between a keyboard and an organ. Nowadays, the difference between a keyboard and an organ is mostly in their names; both refer to the same instrument. Whether we say “organ” or “keyboard,” they convey the same meaning. However, to be more precise, the organ should be called an electronic organ because it operates with electricity and uses digital systems.

Similarly, the keyboard should be correctly referred to as a Tone Bank Keyboard. When purchasing a keyboard, you will often see “Tone Bank Keyboard” written on the box, meaning a keyboard with a built-in sound bank. This is because the term “keyboard” alone could also simply refer to a computer keyboard.

Which is Better, Organ or Piano:

One common question among students, after choosing the right instrument to start with from many options and finally narrowing it down to an organ (keyboard) or piano, is: should I buy an organ (keyboard) or a piano? The second question is: after purchasing a piano or keyboard, which class should I enroll in — piano or keyboard?

It is worth noting that some books used for teaching both keyboard and piano initially cover lessons for both instruments. After a general learning period of about one and a half to two years, for specialized learning, the student needs to choose between piano or organ. During this time, both the music teacher and the student can determine which instrument the student has more talent for and which one they are more interested in.

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