Piano VS Organ

At first glance, an organ and a piano may not seem that different. But once an organist or pianist sits down to play, they’ll notice that the type of music these instruments produce is quite unique. What’s the difference between a piano and an organ? Is an organ just a piano with 2 or 3 extra keyboards? Not exactly. These instruments sound different, have varying mechanisms to produce their tones, and require distinct training to play. 

 

Mechanics

Even though both the piano and the organ have keys, the way that they each produce sound is unique. The instruments are classified as two different types; acoustic pianos are percussion instruments, while the pipe organ is considered a woodwind. This is because pianos use a hammer to hit strings. The sweet melodies of a piano are produced by that hammer; when it strikes, the strings vibrate. Pedals are used to sustain the vibration so that the note continues. The tightness and length of the strings affects the pitch of the note that’s produced. Each key is made up of 2 or 3 strings which vibrate to produce a note. 

Pipe organs, on the other hand, use a system of air that moves through its pipes; they have no strings. The keys and pedals control how much pressure and air flows through the pipes. When a key is pressed, the pressure of the air changes to match the desired pitch. The stops of the pipes are what determines the tone of the note. For example, an organ may have flute or trumpet stops; each one produces the corresponding sound. Unlike a piano, the notes of an organ key will be sustained indefinitely until the player lifts their finger. 

With both pianos and organs, there are digital and electronic variations. A digital piano is easier to maintain than an acoustic piano and is fuelled by electricity. There are several distinct types of organs that use different mechanisms to create sound. Digital organs are affordable, just like digital pianos, and they both use pre-recorded sounds. 

 

Sound

There is a difference in the type of sound and volume levels between these two instruments. The pedals that players depress with their feet have different functions on organs and pianos. A pipe organist uses pedals to control the opening and closing of pipes, which alters the sounds they create. Acoustic pianos can only sound like one instrument: a piano. But due to the organ’s unique system of pipes and airflow, the sound of this instrument can change significantly. Piano pedals are typically used to sustain one note or a series of notes. 

 

One of the most obvious differences between these instruments is the arrangement of the keys. While pianos have just one set of 88 keys, organs have 2 or 3 levels. Sometimes, they have up to 5! It varies based on how many octaves the instrument has. The keys of a piano are long and resistant, while those of an organ are shorter, narrower, and more responsive to a light touch. It will not change the tone of a note if an organist strikes the key softly or firmly, but the inverse is true for a piano. The harder the pianist strikes a key, the harder the hammer will hit the strings. A grand piano creates loud music, but it can’t compare to a pipe organ; these woodwind instruments were designed to fill a big church with music and are quite loud as a result.

 

Maintenance

Pipe organs and acoustic pianos both require semi-annual tuning to maintain the right tones and pitch. Tuning forks used to be used for this task, but now most tuning professionals use digital tuners. During a pipe organ tuning, the pipes are tightened and adjusted to match a desired tone. With an acoustic piano, the strings and tuning pins are tightened. Neither will need tuning if they are electric.

The environment of the instruments will have an impact on the sound they produce. As acoustic pianos are made mostly of wood, they are subject to changes in humidity; a room that’s too damp or too dry can lead to issues with the instrument’s mechanisms. On the other hand, the pitch of an organ’s pipes is affected by both humidity and the temperature of the room. 

 

Cost

A new pipe organ can cost $200,000, and some models are worth millions of dollars. There are, however, several types of smaller, less complex organs on the market that are quite affordable. Just like pianos, their cost range is due to their quality and type. 

Hopefully, you now have a clearer idea of how pianos and organs are distinct from one another. It may have inspired you to start learning one of these complex instruments. But you may find it easier to start playing the organ if you learn how to play the piano first. At Academy of Music, we sell pianos of all kinds, including grand, upright, and digital pianos. View other types of pianos.

source https://www.academymusic.ca/piano-vs-organ/

Types of Pianos

Deciding to learn to play the piano is an exciting endeavour. We’re glad that you’ve chosen to embark upon this journey, and we’re here to guide you through it. One of the first questions you’ll ask yourself is: which type of piano should I buy?

Depending on your priorities, one type may be better for you than another. Are you mainly concerned with your budget? Perhaps you are limited on space. You might have no idea where to begin, which is not a problem; this post is for you! We’re going to break down the differences between the main types of pianos on the market today. At the end of this reading, you will have a better idea of which one will be perfect for you. 

 

Grand Pianos

This is the quintessential piano; when you picture a piano in your mind, you probably see one of these. They’re big, undeniably elegant, and pricey. The horizontal soundboard allows the hammers and dampers to reset with gravity; for that reason, pianists can play faster on a grand piano than on an upright. There are seven classifications of horizontal pianos, from a petit grand (53 inches/1.3 metres) to a concert grand (9 feet/2.7 metres) but most manufacturers only make three sizes: baby grand, grand, and concert grand. 

Grand pianos offer excellent responsiveness and incredible tonal quality. Grand pianos allow pianists to have better control of the sound they produce. Music that comes from a grand piano is authentic, rich, distinct and loud. They can even sound louder when the top is raised up. The bigger the piano, the more sound it will emit. That is why concert grands are usually used in big music venues; the sound carries beautifully.

Grand pianos have three pedals that are used to change the tone, sustain a select note, or sustain sets of notes. 

 

Upright Pianos

Also referred to as vertical pianos, these instruments require less space than their grand counterparts. Springs are used to reset the positions of the hammer and damper. This means that they function slightly slower than grand pianos and may require more upkeep. They’re easy to fit inside a home and can sit snugly against a living room or bedroom wall. 

The pedals on an upright piano function differently than their horizontal counterpart; an upright piano has pedals that reduce the volume, mute the sound, and sustain every note. 

Grand pianos and upright pianos are acoustic instruments, mostly made from wood.  This means humidity levels can affect them quite a bit. It also means that you don’t require a power source to play them. Both horizontal and vertical pianos have wonderful virtues and a player will usually buy the kind that meets their room constraints and their budget.

Digital Pianos

If you’re looking for an affordable piano, digital versions are your best bet. They offer the most variety in terms of sound options, but they lack the authenticity of grand and upright pianos.

Digital pianos are much simpler to repair than acoustic ones. This is because they do not use hammers, dampers, or strings to produce music. Instead, the sound comes from speakers that play a pre-recorded note. Various soundboards can be programmed into the instrument; there are options to make it sound like an organ, wind instrument, or guitar. Digital pianos don’t require semi-annual tune-ups or other maintenance. Since they aren’t made of wood, they won’t be subject to damage from humidity fluctuations. If someone wants to play late at night or when other household members are working, they can plug headphones into the piano. 

But for various reasons, seasoned piano players don’t always like electronic pianos. Some pianists miss the weight and resistance of acoustic piano keys; the way you need to strike them with force to produce a sound. The keys on digital pianos are often hollow and made entirely of plastic rather than wood or ivory. By tapping the key of an acoustic piano softly, the note will be gentle; a hard strike will emit a sharper tone. With digital pianos, it’s hard to replicate this nuance. A digital piano may have a sustain pedal, but it rarely includes the other add-ons like soft or sostenuto ones. Finally, they rely on a power supply to function, which can be a limiting factor (although some use batteries instead of electricity). 

 

Are you looking for pianos for sale? Take a look at the selection on the Academy of Music website. We offer a range of pianos from digital to acoustic. If you’re curious about our pianos, or you’d like more information about a specific type, give us a call; we’ll be happy to answer your questions and point you in the right direction. 

source https://www.academymusic.ca/types-of-pianos/