Go to almost any concert in any style of music and you are likely to see a keyboardist with a double rack stand holding up two keyboards. Learning to use each hand to play both boards can be effective in providing added instrumentation and sounds to the music. For instance, a keyboardist can use his left hand to play string instruments on the upper level keyboard and use his right hand to play the main piano chords on the lower level keyboard. Because keyboards have dial pads which can be rotated to find various musical instruments and sounds, dexterity in performing this task on one keyboard while playing musical notes on another allows bands to replicate the recorded version of the music if necessary.
Because of the availability of MIDI (Musical Instrument Digital Interface) software, which permits the simultaneous interaction of multiple instruments, keyboard players can play other musical instruments on the keyboard. For example a keyboardist can play bass instrument sounds such as fret bass, synthesized bass or acoustic bass. According to pianologist.com, the key to achieving an authentic bass track on the keyboard--whether in the studio or performing live--is to use not only the left hand but also the right hand in playing the lower keys on the keyboard. Pianologist also recommends learning the technique of hammering on and pulling off. This technique involves placing two left hand fingers on any of the keyboard's bass notes adjacent each other. By pressing down on one note and lifting the finger off of the other note with force, a keyboardist is copying the playing technique of a bass guitarist.
Though great-sounding keyboards such as Korg and Triton dominate the marketplace, the sound of a keyboard is not important because sound quality can be controlled when mixing music. Understanding this is key when purchasing keyboards. Another buying trick is to consider the amount of keys. Keyboards with 88 keys allow for a larger range of notes and presets (a batch of sound effects and instruments set to each key). Additionally, buying keyboards with piano action is a great way to learn the feel of a real piano faster. Keyboards with piano action have weighted keys which simulate the weight and feel of piano keys. Finally, buying a keyboard with a sequencer is necessary to record sounds from the keyboard without using a computer.