Loud Piano Keys

[kevingreiner]

Hello,
I have a question for those who practice on electric pianos. Does anyone know why electric pianos have louder keys when you press down with your fingers? The piano bed seems to be louder than the sound I produce. For example, when playing forte I hear the keys banging on the bottom of the bed, and my ears listen to that banging sound instead of the actual noise the piano is supposed to make. When playing fast and forte, it sounds like a machine playing instead of having that smooth, crisp sound from a grand piano. Even when I am completely relaxed, it still sounds like I am banging on the piano I have when I feel like I am barely even forcing my fingers to press the keys. However, when I play on my teacher's grand piano it does not make this loud banging noise, and it sounds more realistic. Any tips for overcoming this sound from my piano?

[mishamalchik]

The simple answer is that a relatively inexpensive electric piano cannot (and isn't meant to) compete with the kind of sound quality you're going to find on a grand piano.
I started on an electric piano that was pressure sensitive, but nowhere near as sensitive as any acoustic piano would be, grand or otherwise. From your description it seems like your piano is not pressure sensitive at all, it will make the same volume whether you press lightly or slam down. There's nothing to be done, short of making the investment in a pressure sensitive keyboard. These typically start at around 900 dollars on the low end from my experience but you can probably get one cheaper used.
Depending on your goals, it may be in your best interest to make this investment. If you want to play with more emotion and feeling, you'll need a piano that can respond to variances in touch. If you begin to learn more advanced pieces with quick, difficult sections this will become more of a problem. Since little pressure is required to get that sound, you never develop the necessary strength to play loudly on an acoustic piano. I had this problem when I was adjusting to playing the Steinways in the practice rooms at my school and it was a struggle!

[kevingreiner]

The simple answer is that a relatively inexpensive electric piano cannot (and isn't meant to) compete with the kind of sound quality you're going to find on a grand piano.
I started on an electric piano that was pressure sensitive, but nowhere near as sensitive as any acoustic piano would be, grand or otherwise. From your description it seems like your piano is not pressure sensitive at all, it will make the same volume whether you press lightly or slam down. There's nothing to be done, short of making the investment in a pressure sensitive keyboard. These typically start at around 900 dollars on the low end from my experience but you can probably get one cheaper used.
Depending on your goals, it may be in your best interest to make this investment. If you want to play with more emotion and feeling, you'll need a piano that can respond to variances in touch. If you begin to learn more advanced pieces with quick, difficult sections this will become more of a problem. Since little pressure is required to get that sound, you never develop the necessary strength to play loudly on an acoustic piano. I had this problem when I was adjusting to playing the Steinways in the practice rooms at my school and it was a struggle!

That makes a lot of sense. Thanks for the reply! Yeah it does seem that my piano makes the same sound no matter how much pressure I put into playing. I have a Yamaha-p155. It is sometimes hard to play fast because all I hear is that loud banging sound when pressing the keys. It doesn't make the banging sound on a grand piano! I will take your advice and look into those pianos that have pressure sensitivity.

[keypeg]

I recently upgraded to a very good digital piano, since I'm advancing, the Kawai CA97.  You probably don't want to go that fancy.  I had a Yamaha CLP 320.  It is touch sensitive, but I had to push the keys almost to the bottom before they emitted a sound.  When you have to push that far down you get into the habit of keybedding, and that in itself will create a clacking sound.

[kevingreiner]

I recently upgraded to a very good digital piano, since I'm advancing, the Kawai CA97.  You probably don't want to go that fancy.  I had a Yamaha CLP 320.  It is touch sensitive, but I had to push the keys almost to the bottom before they emitted a sound.  When you have to push that far down you get into the habit of keybedding, and that in itself will create a clacking sound.

That's the word I was looking for; keybedding! It looks like I am going to have to upgrade soon!