Black And White ... Or?

[soapbox]

We've moved from a phase in which most keyboards and modules were black (or maybe silver) into an era in which keyboards are often being released in a colored (red Nords, for example) finish. However, in virtually all cases, the keys on the keyboards themselves have remained black and white.

 

Would you buy a keyboard with green accidentals and yellow naturals, for example; or will you only buy keyboards with black and white keys, period?

[Gus Lozada]

I would NOT buy a Steinway with Yellow keys ...

 

But for a cool synth, why not?

[Slowly]

I'll stick with black and white. I think those different colored keys will play out real quick. Kcbass

[Jojje]

In Sweden, back in the sixties, a swedish piano company made one blue piano with blue and yellow keyes and one green with white and green keyes. But I don´t think many people bought them. Now and again you can see a second hand one. Once I had a dream about the green one. I could play anything on it...hmm..maybe Ishould get one...

[soapbox]

Next Question:

If you chose something other than black and white keys, what color combinations would you prefer? Would you go with a subtle difference, such as dark brown and beige; or would you make a statement with something like purple and lime green?

 

BTW, I'm not doing market research. This is mostly just idle curiosity (coupled with a desire to be creative and think outside of the box).

[Gulliver]

Originally posted by soapbox:

Next Question:

If you chose something other than black and white keys, what color combinations would you prefer? Would you go with a subtle difference, such as dark brown and beige; or would you make a statement with something like purple and lime green?

...

 

Well... every key within an octave should be painted in different color. The higher you would go - the brighter keys would get (and vice versa).

[Tusker]

I'd keep it subtle if I changed colors. Dunno why I'd do that though. Seems like keyboards are a pretty disposable instrument these days.

 

If there was something unique about an instrument (a Voyager, a Steinway, a large Serge Modular etc.) I could see it being the focus of some visual experimentation.

 

Jerry

[eric]

I would go for the option to have reverse-colored keys, like on a Vox Continental. That would be a cool thing. Other than that, I'm not too interested in alternative key colors.

 

I'm a fan of the chassis of the keyboard being black or another timeless material like wood. I never liked the look of silver Korgs or any of the other different colors currently out there. One thing I have thought about would be a keyboard that has a chassis plated with real copper that would gradually show patina like on a copper roof. So as the keyboard became older and more used, it would change color. I think that would be interesting (but probably a little expensive).

 

Regards,

Eric

[Jose Cobelas]

White? The ivory keys in my family´s upright were never white. Rather yellow with thin black lines. Because of that I always found the white keys unnatural.

 

Best,

 

Jose.

[Cowfingers]

Originally posted by eric:

I'm a fan of the chassis of the keyboard being black or another timeless material like wood. I never liked the look of silver Korgs or any of the other different colors currently out there. One thing I have thought about would be a keyboard that has a chassis plated with real copper that would gradually show patina like on a copper roof. So as the keyboard became older and more used, it would change color. I think that would be interesting (but probably a little expensive).

 

Regards,

Eric

does copper not change colour from oxadising with rain? you'd wanna be pretty crazy to want to leave a keyboard outside all the time just to change colour!

[Dave Pierce]

Hmmm. I'm a pretty visual guy, and I do look at my hands a bit when playing. I'm not sure how unexpected colors would affect my playing.

 

I'm with Eric -- I wouldn't mind reverse keys. A Red White and Blue theme sounds fun too (I was born on the 4th of July, so I go in for that sort of thing) -- but again, I'm not sure but what it might affect my playing.

 

--Dave

[eric]

does copper not change colour from oxadising with rain? you'd wanna be pretty crazy to want to leave a keyboard outside all the time just to change colour!

Rain does change the color more quickly, but everyday use and contact from handling will also do it (take a look at an older penny). The entire copper area on the keyboard might not patina at the same time, but after years of schlepping it around, it would develop that careworn finish.

 

Regards,

Eric

[Felix_dup1]

As for how most keyboards used to be black - I think the Bacardi commercial is right - Silver is the new Black...

 

As for the keys - keep 'em black and white. Even the Yamaha DJXII turned me off with its grey keys. I'll stick with 'em the way they are.

 

As for keyboard casing colors - the more the merrier! I liked the Orange Waldorf XTK (now grey again), and I even like the green Alesis Ion.

[Byrdman]

Originally posted by soapbox:

We've moved from a phase in which most keyboards and modules were black (or maybe silver) into an era in which keyboards are often being released in a colored (red Nords, for example) finish. However, in virtually all cases, the keys on the keyboards themselves have remained black and white.

 

Would you buy a keyboard with green accidentals and yellow naturals, for example; or will you only buy keyboards with black and white keys, period?

How about a keyboard with all they keys black - might help you sound like Frank Zappa.

 

As long as the keys don't light up when they want you to play them.

[Superbobus]

Ultimate seventies board:

Green metallic chassis, dark brown accidentals and orange naturals!

[coyote]

I dunno... it might be kinda cool to have keys light up when you play 'em, especially on one of those strap-on MIDI controllers. Audiences might dig the added visual.

 

Originally posted by Byrdman:

As long as the keys don't light up when you want you to play them.

[synthetic]

I once had a combo organ with reversed keys, white on black. That was cool. How about mood ring keys, where the keys you're playing turn a different color from body heat and then turn back?

[JimmieWannaB]

It's been close to 35 years, but I believe my Farfisa had a mixture of black, orange and gray keys. Does anyone else remember the Farfisa Fast Five?

[rod76]

Yeah

 

I think the Farfisa Professional organ had

Blue keys and white(black) ones

 

If you ever watched WOODSTOCK, you can clearly see SLY STONE playing one one of those

[Synthguy]

How about transparent naturals and translucent accidentals? Definite change of pace.

 

Nah, gimme black-n-whites, but dark panels and chassis. I like the color of the original DX-7 a lot. But buttons please.

[RABid]

I'll stick with black and whites. It is much easier in low light situations. I do like the idea of a strap on with keys that light or change colors when you play. Sort of like those glowing drum sticks.

 

Robert

[Wiggum]

The only other combination I could see would be white accidentals on black keys (ala Vox)...

 

But if you really want a wild look, get in touch with that guy who does screen prints on keys (Keyboard featured his work in a couple of articles). He did a Lync for Bernie Worrell, as well as some other boards. Really slick....

 

Wiggum