Take a look at our keyboard range here! 

The standard: the piano

The keyboard originates from the piano. Historically, a piano has 88 keys, of which 52 are white and 36 are black. The white keys represent the natural notes, while the black keys are the sharps and flats. Before the piano, however, there was the harpsichord, which had only 60 keys. With those 60 keys, the harpsichord had four octaves. Around 300 years ago, it was decided that this range was too limited. Gradually, the range was expanded, and in the 1880s the 88‑key piano was developed.

This number may seem inconvenient because it does not divide evenly into octaves, but that is intentional. The 88 keys consist of seven octaves plus three extra lower notes: B, B♭ and A. This low A is considered the lowest possible usable note, because anything below it has too low a frequency to be heard clearly. The highest note on the piano, a C, is considered the highest practical note, as higher frequencies become too high to hear properly.

Why didn’t they simply limit the piano to seven octaves? Initially, they did—early expansions went to 85 keys. However, when Steinway added three extra keys to create a better balance between the bass and treble registers, this quickly became the standard.

But what about keyboards?

Do all keyboards also have 88 keys? Certainly not. The number of keys on a keyboard varies—most commonly 61, 76, or 88 keys. We already explained the importance of 88 keys.

• A keyboard with 61 keys has only five octaves, meaning it has a smaller range than an 88‑key instrument. It begins at the second octave of an 88‑key layout and ends after the sixth.
• A keyboard with 76 keys has six octaves. It starts at the first octave of an 88‑key instrument (excluding the notes below E) and ends at the seventh octave.

Many classical pieces require a wide range, making them best suited for instruments with 88 keys. However, a 61‑key keyboard is often better for beginners, as it is easier to manage and learn on. Keyboards with fewer keys are also smaller, more portable, easier to place in a small room, and often more suitable for younger players. They also tend to be more affordable. The downside is that many pieces require a wider range than the five octaves found on a 61‑key keyboard. A 76‑key keyboard offers a good middle ground: more range than 61 keys, but not as large or space‑demanding as an 88‑key instrument.