Electronic piano: Difference between revisions

The first electronic pianos date from the 1970s and were mostly made in Italy {{harv|Davies|2001}}, although similar models were made concurrently in Japan. An exception is the range of instruments made by [[Rocky Mount Instruments|RMI]] in the United States from 1967 to approximately 1980, which was used by [[Genesis (band)|Genesis]], [[Yes (band)|Yes]], [[Deep Purple]], [[Elton John]] and [[Rick Wakeman]] {{harv|Reid|2001}}. These early electronic pianos (including the RMI) are not velocity sensitive in that, like an [[organ (music)|organ]], they do not vary their volume based on how hard or soft the keys are played. "The major drawback of the RMI was its total lack of touch sensitivity. I found this very restricting, especially since any bum-notes are played at full volume, no matter how lightly you brush against them" ([[Tony Banks (musician)|Tony Banks]], quoted in {{harvnb|Reid|2001}}).

 

 

Electronic pianos became less popular in the 1980s when the [[digital piano]] and polyphonic [[synthesizer]] became available and affordable enough for both professional and home use as an inexpensive, smaller and lighter alternative to an acoustic piano.