Keyboard instrument

A keyboard instrument is a musical instrument played with a musical keyboard. Keyboard instruments can generally be classified as wind instruments, string instruments, percussion instruments, or electronic instruments. The most common ones are probably the piano and the synthesizer.

Types of keyboard instruments

Keyboard instruments are usually divided into four categories, listed below:

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Strings

• Clavichord
• Harpsichord—may also be called a cembalo or virginal
• Piano (also known as Pianoforte)
• Tangent Piano — also known as "Tangentenflügel"
• Viola organista — invented by Leonardo da Vinci, it uses a moving bow to sound the strings

Winds

• Accordion
• Melodica
• Harmonium
• Organ

Electronic/electromechanical

• Sampler
• Synthesizer
• Electronic organ
• Allen organ
• Hammond organ
• Wurlitzer
• Electric piano
• Rhodes piano also known as a Fender-Rhodes piano
• Clavinet
• Pianet
• Ondes Martenot
• Mellotron
• Chamberlin
• MIDI keyboard controller
• Keytar

Percussion

• Carillon
• Celesta (struck metal plaques)
• Glasschord
• Toy piano