Fun Stuff > BAND
What is an instrument?
mechorg:
--- Quote from: ForteBass ---The reasoning I'm hearing for a digital piano not being a piano are minor timbre differences. And for these reasons it would also mean that any digital or electric instrument, isn't an instrument at all then.
--- End quote ---
Back to the original question at hand, I see some conflicts in your wording.
Yes, there is a difference between a digital piano and a piano. These differences do not make the digital piano a 'non-instrument'. The differences are in build as opposed to purpose not much unlike a vibraphone and a xylophone.
Merriam-Webster defines 'instrument' as:
a device used to produce music
and 'music' as:
1 a : the science or art of ordering tones or sounds in succession, in combination, and in temporal relationships to produce a composition having unity and continuity b : vocal, instrumental, or mechanical sounds having rhythm, melody, or harmony
Using these definitions, practically anything can be considered a musical instrument if it is an object used to 'produce rhythm, melody, or harmony'.
(Yes, i'm an extremist).
As for your more poignant question, electronic instruments are indeed musical instruments if that was their purpose. I have an EWI (electronic wind instrument) and just because I can make it sound like a piano or a guitar does not make it "not an instrument". I can make wonderful sounds with it. :)
Mnementh:
I don't think anyone is arguing it isn't an instrument. The question is, what sort of instrument is it, a keyboard/synthisizer or an actual piano.
a pack of wolves:
What about a third category of digital piano as distinct from both?
mechorg:
Well then following my previous form of research...
Piano:
: a musical instrument having steel wire strings that sound when struck by felt-covered hammers operated from a keyboard
A piano has a specific build and structure. If a digital piano varies from this description, it is (IMO) not a piano.
I would consider it a keyboard.
EDIT:
Okay, just out of curiosity I did some research on a Fender Rhodes (because I knew I was obviously missing something as this discussion seemed too open/close). I see the dilemma now.
By looking at a diagram (here) I think I concur that 'electric piano' is an appropriate name.
Inlander:
Heh heh, sorry Chuck - I'm just an outrageous piano snob. As far as I'm concerned an keyboard/synthesizer is an instrument in its own right, but it's a million miles from being a piano. But that's only because I'm sentimental and the thing I like most about playing a piano is all the noises underneath the note that are created by the actual mechanism of the thing. Anything else just doesn't qualify for me - it's not so much rational as emotional.
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