Is it okay to regard a synthesizer as a keyboard?

Jericho-79 · Post by **Jericho-79** » Fri Jun 20, 2014 9:50 am

Hey guys.

One of my co-workers owns a Roland Juno-106 and (I think) a microKorg. Those two instruments are straight-up synthesizers.

I understand that the definition of a synthesizer is an instrument that can generate artificial sounds using mathematical algorithms.

However, most recording artists liberally use the terms "synthesizer" and "keyboard" in an interchangeable manner.

I'm sure that most recording artists utilize synthesizers in order to produce their songs. But if you glance at their albums' sleeve notes, the word "keyboards" (rather than "synthesizers") appears more often.

So here's my question-

Is it okay to call a synthesizer (such as the microKorg or the Roland Juno-106) a keyboard?

Thanks guys!

michelkeijzers · Post by **michelkeijzers** » Fri Jun 20, 2014 10:17 am

I thought officially a keyboard was either the key part itself (whether it is for a piano, synthesizer, organ etc), OR for a sort of arranger (mostly cheaper models) with speaker, drums to play alone.

However, I think most people use the term 'keyboard' as a name for everything that has a keyboard, like synthesizers, keyboards (term above). Organs and pianos are a bit debatable... You sometimes see 'xxx on keyboards and piano' or 'xxx on keyboards and organ'.

Bald Eagle · Post by **Bald Eagle** » Fri Jun 20, 2014 11:07 am

There are no rules, you can call it whatever you want. When I talk to non-musicians I usually just say I play keyboards. They don't usually understand the difference.

I will use "synthesizer" when I want to refer to a specific class of keyboard like arranger, workstation, analog synthesizer, VA synthesizer, etc.

I think most people refer to the key part as the keybed and the keyboard as the whole instrument. Although technically the keybed is just the frame and base.

phattbuzz · Post by **phattbuzz** » Fri Jun 20, 2014 1:03 pm

And remember a synthesizer doesn't have to have a keyboard.

DennyC · Post by **DennyC** » Fri Jun 20, 2014 6:04 pm

For me, anything that has a keyboard is a keyboard...synthesizer or not, organ or piano. Just my 2 cents worth.

Jericho-79 · Post by **Jericho-79** » Sun Jun 22, 2014 5:46 pm

Hey guys. OP here.

I know a local band that's trying to independently produce its first EP. On that EP, one of the band members is credited as playing "keyboards & synthesizers".

How can a band member be playing BOTH keyboards and synthesizers if most modern-day synthesizers are keyboard-based?

(Edit: I've never been inside their studio.)

roblabs · Post by **roblabs** » Sun Jun 22, 2014 6:50 pm

well as phatbuzz said, a synth doesn't have to have a keyboard. it might just be a module.

so maybe that band mate is playing actual keys, and then something that could be classified as a synth but has no keys. You might consider, for example, a groovebox to be a synth (think of the Electribes, for instance). Yes, you can play notes on them, but they don't exactly have keys, just buttons arranged like a keyboard.

DaniH · Post by **DaniH** » Sun Jun 22, 2014 7:42 pm

This is funny. I ask, "does it matter??" To me it is like trying to define music categories. I personally tell non-musicians I play keyboards. I tell musicians I play synths. I tell laptop "djs" I use controllers. From my sig you can see what I work with.

roblabs · Post by **roblabs** » Sun Jun 22, 2014 7:59 pm

lol or just tell people that you mess with things with knobs and buttons. Mystical boxes that create sounds! What is the secret?!

SanderXpander · Post by **SanderXpander** » Sun Jun 22, 2014 9:09 pm

I always feel mildly peeved when I'm playing a stage piano and they call it a keyboard. It may be a Dutch thing; like Michel I also associate "keyboard" with an arranger. When we do a band introduction thing, I'm usually announced as "On keys..." which nicely circumvents the whole problem

analoguekid · Post by **analoguekid** » Sun Jun 22, 2014 10:09 pm

My ten pen'orth would be a synth is something that can either produce a sound from scratch or radically change a sound irrespective of if it has keys or not, and a keyboard is s**t, nah only joking LOL, a keyboard cannot make a sound from scratch or has sounds that cant be radically changed

I also tell people I play Synthesizers as I cant play the keyboards and I consider playing a keyboard as superior in musicianship

Post by **Sharp** » Mon Jun 23, 2014 10:27 am

I've often been told I'm good on the organ, piano, and from time to time, the casio

Bearing in mind I play a VIRUS TI2 and a KRONOS.

lol... Idiots.

Timo · Post by **Timo** » Sat Jul 26, 2014 8:56 pm

When I hear just the term 'keyboard' on its own, for me it sums up electronic Yamaha PSR type stuff. A keyboard with presets, auto accompaniments, fills and stuff. No programming required.

I usually use the term 'synths' or 'synthesiser keyboards' when asked, or 'piano' to avoid being typecast or geeky.

Or more generally 'keys' for a catch all term, which transposes across piano, organ and synth keyboards, effectively denoting the type of musician (instrumental player) you are, rather than the specifics.

I don't think I'd ever call an acoustic piano or an organ a keyboard, though. For me they're separate entities.

Synthoid · Post by **Synthoid** » Mon Jul 28, 2014 8:22 pm

Sharp wrote:I've often been told I'm good on the organ, piano, and from time to time, the casio

Bearing in mind I play a VIRUS TI2 and a KRONOS.

lol... Idiots.

This.

jeremykeys · Post by **jeremykeys** » Fri Aug 22, 2014 7:03 pm

I call myself a Keyboard Player but I've had people call my Kronos a piano and/or organ. Generally I just play the Kronos.

I agree with Sharp: Idiots!

I also think it only matters depending on who you are talking to.
Like when I'm talking to fellow keyboard players I call it a Mogue but for non musicians and guitar players

I pronounce it Mooog!