Keyboard: description of the instrument, history of origin, use

The keyboard is a lightweight keyboard instrument. It is a synthesizer or midi keyboard similar in shape to a guitar. The name is formed from the combination of the words “keyboard” and “guitar”. In English, it sounds like “keytar”. In Russian, the name “comb” is also common.

The musician is free to move around the stage as the instrument is held over the shoulder by the strap. The right hand presses the keys, and the left activates the desired effects, such as tremolo, located on the neck.

The Orphica, a portable piano of the late XNUMXth century, is considered the oldest progenitor of the clavitar. The inventor of the musical instrument is Karl Leopold Rellig. The instrument looked like a small piano with a neck resembling a harp. The piano accordion appeared in the XNUMXth century.

The history of modern keyboards began in 1963, when the Weltmeister company from the GDR released the Basset, a portable bass piano. In 1966, the Tubon shoulder synthesizer was made in Sweden. Tubone was played by Paul McCartney and Kraftwerk.

Since the 60s, the keyboard has been widely used in Western and Soviet popular music. In the XNUMXst century, the shoulder synthesizer is still popular. Famous performers using the keyboard: Europe, Status Quo, Rammstein, Dream Theater, Tender May, Earthlings.