Many churches have this common question: what are the best piano keyboards for church worship? With so many different models and options out there, how do we know what is the right choice for us?
Today we will be answering that question, diving deep into how to pick out a keyboard for your own church and reviewing several of the top keyboards available for purchase.
Table of Contents
WHY CHOOSE A KEYBOARD?
When it comes to buying an instrument for worship music, many churches are uncertain whether or not they should buy a digital keyboard or an acoustic piano.
While either one has its own pros and cons, there are a couple advantages to choosing a digital keyboard for church:
• COST EFFECTIVENESS: digital keyboards are a much more affordable option than acoustic pianos, oftentimes only costing 1/10 of the price. Additionally, the cost of maintenance is far lower since digital keyboards don’t need to be tuned.
• VERSATILITY OF SOUND: acoustic pianos only give you one sound – a piano! – but with a digital keyboard you have many more sound samples at your disposal to augment the worship experience. Some commonly used sounds might include an organ, strings, or a synth pad. These additional sound samples can go a long way to give your worship music the sound it needs.
WHAT FEATURES ARE NEEDED IN A KEYBOARD?
After narrowing down the selection process to a digital keyboard, we are still left with a vast selection of different types of keyboards, all with their own individual feature-sets.
Here are some recommendations for a few specific features so you don’t get too overwhelmed:
• FULL-SIZE KEYBOARD WITH 88 KEYS: some inexpensive, smaller keyboards have fewer than 88 keys (for example, 61) but you should always look for a full-size keyboard so that the entire range of bass and treble notes are available to play.
• WEIGHTED KEYS: this is a system available in keyboards that emulates how an acoustic piano feels and plays. Any church pianist that is worth their salt will insist that the keyboard have weighted keys so it’s important to buy one with this feature!
• DUAL VOICES AND SPLIT VOICE: two features that are commonly sought after in church worship are dual voices and split voice.
Dual voices allow you to play one note or set of notes but output two different sounds simultaneously. For example, you can play a piano sound but then have a strings pad reinforcing the same chords you’re already playing.
Alternately, the split voice divides the keyboard into two halves so that the bass register outputs one voice and the treble register outputs a different voice. In this way you can play a different “instrument” with each hand.
5 OF THE TOP KEYBOARDS FOR CHURCH WORSHIP
Yamaha P125
The first keyboard on this list is a new product in Yamaha’s P-series. The P125 offers rich stereo sound and 24 voices suited to church worship.
It features Yahama’s Graded Hammer System which emulates the feel of an acoustic piano where the bass notes require a heavier touch and the treble notes require a lighter touch. It also is made with a slim and stylish design that will take up minimum room on stage.
This keyboard is one of the least expensive on this list but it is still a great option if you want something simple and straightforward.
Click here to view our full review!
Yamaha P255
This keyboard is the big brother of the P125, offering an even more realistic piano sound through such features as key-off samples, sustain sampling, and string resonance. It also features the Graded Hammer System but with the added quality of synthetic ivory keys.
Additionally, this keyboard features a 3-band EQ with sliders for you to customize the tone of your instrument exactly as you want.
While a more expensive option, this keyboard offers a high level of quality and professionalism that will be well appreciated by any church musician.
Casio PX770
When it comes to this keyboard from Casio, the sound quality is what truly takes center stage.
Utilizing the advanced Air Sound Source, this keyboard replicates the acoustics of a grand piano in beautiful clarity. This keyboard also features keys with simulated ebony and ivory textures that can be adjusted for touch sensitivity and response.
This keyboard is an elegant option for a church that needs a keyboard but doesn’t want to compromise any of the quality they would expect from an acoustic piano. Click here to view the current price and purchase your own now!
Korg SP280
Korg keyboards have long been favorites of stage musicians and it’s easy to see why with the sleek, curved design of this keyboard. Another favorite feature is the array of authentic vintage electric piano sounds on board in case you want to bring an old-school sound to your worship service.
If you’re a church with a more modern worship team, especially one that goes on the road, then this may be the keyboard for you. Click here to see the current price and pick one up now!
Yamaha Arius YDP-163
Lastly we look at this top-of-the-line offering from Yamaha – a truly beautiful digital piano. Built in a gorgeous rosewood or black walnut exterior, this piano comes with the Graded Hammer 3 action which mimics the exact mechanics of an acoustic piano for optimum playability and feel.
It also offers synthetic ivory keys and built-in pedals that offer the same subtlety in playing as an acoustic piano.
This keyboard is the one of the very nicest options out there and that comes at a price: it is one of the most expensive keyboards on this list. However, if you value premium quality and don’t mind paying a little more, then this is the keyboard for you. Click here to see the current price and purchase yours now!
CONCLUSION
As we wrap up, we hope you learned a thing or two about selecting a keyboard for church worship and have found one that will work for you perfectly. Stay tuned for more music reviews soon!
