Parts of a Casio Piano
- The most prominent part of Casio pianos is the keyboard, located at the front of the piano and in the center. Full-sized piano keyboards have 88 keys, which is seven octaves of notes. An octave includes the notes A through G, and has five black keys for the flats. Casio pianos usually have "acoustic" touch keys, which respond to pressure in the same way as ordinary, acoustic pianos. The lower-pitched notes are harder to press, and the higher notes are easier to press. The keys are also touch sensitive, meaning that if you apply less pressure, the note produced is softer. This is important to adding expression as you play.
- Use the control panel of the keyboard to select different keyboard tones. Most Casio pianos allow for the selection of a variety of different sounds produced by the keyboard. For example, the Casio CDP-200R has 670 different instrument tones. With more tones on the keyboard, a wider array of music types is available to the player. Use the keyboard's control panel to select rhythmic backing and onboard effects like "Pitch Bend." Find the control panel of the piano directly above the keyboard, for ease of access whilst playing. Some Casio pianos also have lessons accessible through the control panel.
- Some Casio pianos come with the same pedals as found on acoustic pianos or allow it as an optional add-on. The Privia models come with a pedal included. Use this a damper pedal, which provides a more realistic resonance to the keyboard, like that found with normal acoustic pianos, known as the "sustain" pedal. Other Casio piano models come with three pedals integrated into the stand. Use additional pedals for a soft (or una corda) pedal, and a sostenuto pedal to target your sustain to one chord.
- Larger Casio pianos such as the Celviano and some Privia models come with a stand. Stands hold the piano up to a height playable from a comfortable sitting position. On models such as the CDP-200R, purchase the stand separately. Stands generally provide two large supports on the far left and right sides of the keyboard, and a back section connecting the two. On some models, the pedals integrate into the stand. Celviano keyboards also come with a music stand for resting sheet music on whilst playing.
