Choosing a Keyboard Instrument: Piano or Organ?
Some people think that if you’ve taken piano lessons, you’ll also be able to play the organ well, and vice-versa. However, this isn’t really true in every case. Although both the piano and organ have keyboards, each of these instruments focuses on a slightly different music theory and skillset. When choosing between a piano and an organ, here are some other things you should keep in mind.
How the Sound is Produced
The piano is primarily a percussion instrument because every time you strike a key, a hammer hits a corresponding metal string. As a result, the piano produces a richer sound. The organ, on the other hand, can be classified under brass, electronic, or woodwind instruments. That’s because every time you press a key, an electronic circuit causes it to produce a tune. And because the organ is an electronic device, it can be programmed to sound like a variety of instruments.
Dexterity Skills
During piano lessons, you might have noticed that the teacher is always emphasizing the importance of body posture. That’s because playing the piano requires a more forceful strike from each finger compared to when playing an organ. How hard or soft you strike a key will have a huge difference on how each note will sound. As a matter of fact, piano playing techniques involve movement from the whole arm, hand or wrist, and fingers. If you have bad posture, you’re most likely to strain your arm, wrist, fingers, and even your back muscles since you’ll be sitting down for long hours during piano practice.
As for playing the organ, you don’t need to exert too much effort when striking each key. A tap is enough to complete the electronic circuit required to create a tune. However, many organs have ranks or different keyboard levels and pedal keyboards, so you’ll have to coordinate your hand, eye, and feet movements. To help your feet deal with a pedal keyboard’s narrow lever keys, you can wear special organ shoes that also protect you from developing a marching fracture.
Set-up requirements
If you’re planning on investing in a grand piano, don’t forget that it would require a large space. If you go for the organ, you won’t need a large space. You may even be able to conveniently bring it with you anywhere you go. But though the organ is easy to transport, it needs electricity to run. And whereas you might still require a computer, speakers, or other sound system devices to use with the organ, you would just need enough room and a comfortable bench seat with the piano.
Making the right choice
Both the piano and organ have their own pros and cons. Aside from the factors mentioned, the right keyboard instrument for you will also depend on your level of skill, personal preference, and reasons why you’re taking piano lessons in the first place. If you want an electronic device you can easily plug into your PC, then an organ is the best choice. But if you want a more touch-sensitive instrument for that unique playing experience, then you should go for the piano.
| A Computer Engineering student and loves to travel. Reading current news in the internet is one of his past times. Taking pictures of the things around him fully satisfies him. He loves to play badminton and his favorite pets are cats.
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