Casio Keyboard Notes
To learn the notes on a keyboard, find a set of 3 white keys enclosing 2 black keys, followed by 4 white keys enclosing 3 black keys. This pattern is consistent for all keyboards. The first white key in the set is the C key, and the next white key is D, then E, F, G, followed by A, B, and C again. The black keys are a half-note between the white keys. Remove the plastic back enclosure of the keyboard; there are several small Phillips head screws mounting it to the top. Although these directions are based on the Casio SK-1, gaining access to the innards of your keyboard will be relatively the same.
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Finding a good beginner keyboard is not that hard these days. Every large brand has a variety of models that fit this description. What you as a customer need to pay attention to are the features these keyboards offer.
Let’s be real here for a moment, boards in this range won’t have the best sound quality, nor will they come with some advanced options. However, that doesn’t mean that you have to settle for just about anything. A good entry level keyboard absolutely needs to heave some learning features these days.
One great example of what Casio has to offer in this regard is the Casio LK-43 Keyboard. This model brings everything a beginner might need, and none of the stuff that is simply not important but ramps up the price.
Compared to other Casio models and what the competition has to offer, Casio LK-43 brings a decent balance of performance and features. Today we are going to take a closer look at this board, and talk about what makes it a great choice for new players.
An Overview
Until not so long ago, learning how to play a keyboard required lessons and a lot of reading. These days the things have changed considerably. The keyboards we have available today come packed with all kinds of learning features which can replace the need for attending private lessons, at least in the beginning.
Because of that, modern entry level keyboards are usually ranked with relation to these learning features. Most of them offer similar performance in every other aspect, so their ability to help you learn how to play comes into focus a lot more. As you are about to find out Casio LK 43 has a lot to offer in this regard.
Features
If you have seen one entry level keyboard, you have seem them all. The body comes in that standard gray format which has become a signature sign of entry level boards. There are 61 keys in total while the polyphony is limited to 12 notes.
Casio LK-43 comes with 100 PCM notes and equally as many on board rhythms. On the back you will find a MIDI input/output and a TRS out.
The section above the keys is where you will find two large speakers on either end of the keyboard. There is one LCD display which sits right in the middle of control panel, and it is surrounded by various buttons. All of these features put Casio LK-43 somewhere among the most basic entry level models.
Learning tools that are available on this keyboard come in form of 3-step lesson system, illuminated keys which tell you the exact notes you need to play, and voice fingering guide. When activated, this guide will tell you which notes to play using pre recorded audio samples. Overall, the learning suite is quite extensive.
Performance
Like we have mentioned just shortly, the features Casio LK-43 offers are basic. This is the entry level category of entry level keyboards. As such, it won’t be the best sounding board you will ever hear. On the contrary.
However, the price is very well matched to the performance, making Casio LK-43 a great choice for beginners on a budget. Everything about this keyboard is intuitive and easy to find. Keys feel decent, although not too great.
What we like
Great learning suite is probably the best thing about this keyboard. It can really help you advance your skill to a new level, especially if you have no prior experience with playing keyboards.
What we don’t like
The quality of sound could have been a bit better, even for the entry level model such as this one. Ultimately it won’t matter much to beginner players, but some more experienced ones will definitely notices.
Conclusion
At the end of the day, Casio LK-43 keyboard is a great choice for those who are on a really tight budget. Learning features it offers are among the best on the market, and the quality of sound is more than acceptable.
For the price you are asked to pay, you will rarely find something as good as this Casio. It’s a great first keyboard, especially for kids.
- The functions available differ depending on the model.
- The descriptions of procedures are primarily for the PX-S3000.
Playing using accompaniment as backing
Accompaniment is a function that automatically provides an accompaniment when you play a chord with your left hand after selecting your preferred accompaniment rhythm. The accompaniment consists of notes from musical instruments such as a bass or guitar and is played in the rhythm you selected. This allows you to play the keyboard to an ensemble backing as if you were performing in a band.
1.Tap
2.Select Rhythm.
For detailed information on the rhythm categories and sub-categories, and the names of the rhythms in each category, refer to the “Built-in Music Files” list provided with the musical instrument.
3.Using accompaniment
The accompaniment in your musical instrument consists of a rhythm part that uses drums and other percussion, and a chord part that uses various musical instruments based on your chords. When you use the accompaniment, you can play just the rhythm part, or both parts at the same time.
- To use the rhythm part only
Set ACCOMP Mode to “OFF”.
Press the START/STOP button on the musical instrument.
On some models, you can also start the rhythm by touching the following buttons:
- INTRO: Starts an intro-style rhythm.
- NORMAL/FILL-IN: Starts a normal rhythm pattern.
- VARIATION/FILL-IN: Starts a rhythm with a variable pattern.
Playing to an accompaniment
Pressing the START/STOP button on the musical instrument again stops the rhythm.
- To use a chord-based accompaniment
Set ACCOMP Mode to “ON”.
Press the START/STOP button on the musical instrument.
On some models, you can also start the rhythm by touching the following buttons:
- INTRO: Starts an intro-style rhythm.
- NORMAL/FILL-IN: Starts a normal rhythm pattern.
- VARIATION/FILL-IN: Starts a rhythm with a variable pattern.
Play a chord on the chord input keyboard.
When you enter the chord, the rhythm and chord parts of the accompaniment both start playing.
Refer to Selecting the chord input method for more information on entering chords.
Play the melody with your right hand while playing various chords with your left.
Pressing the START/STOP button on the musical instrument again stops the rhythm.
- In the procedure above, you enter the chords used by the accompaniment yourself. By using the Music Preset function, you can have an accompaniment consisting of chord progressions based on the genre of the song you are playing without having to enter chords.
Selecting the chord input method
1.Tap
2.Select Chord Input Mode.
Casio Chord: This allows you to play four chord types (major, minor, seventh and minor seventh) at the touch of a finger.
Fingered1: Allows you to play the component notes of the chord on the keyboard.
Fingered2: Unlike Fingered1, you cannot enter a 6th. You can enter m7 or m7b5.
Fingered On Bass: This differs from Fingered1 in that you can enter a fraction chord where the sound of the lowest key on the keyboard is the base note.
Fingered Assist: This is unlike Fingered1 in that you press 2 or 3 keys on the keyboard. Pressing the root key and the white key to the left of the root key gives you the 7th chord, while pressing the black key to the left of the root key is the minor chord, and pressing both produces the minor 7th chord.
Full Range Chord: This enables you to enter the chord using all the keys and play the melody.
For more information on the types of chord that you can specify in each mode, refer to the User’s Guide and List of Chords provided with the musical instrument.
Using Music Preset
Music Preset is a set-up collection that includes chord progression files. It allows you to choose from 310 sets of accompaniment chord progressions and setting data, including tones and rhythms for specific music genres and concepts, and recall the selected set at the touch of a button.
1.Tap
2.Set Music Preset to “ON”.
3.Select Music Preset Type.
Refer to the “Built-in Music Files” list provided with the musical instrument for the list of music preset categories and types.
4.Change the chord progression key as required.
The music preset key can be changed through a range from -5 to 0 to +6. Tap the “+” or “-” button to set the key.
Pressing the “reset” button restores the default setting.
5.Adjust the volume as required.
Tap the “+” or “-” button to specify the setting.
Pressing the “reset” button restores the default setting.
6.Play the song along to the music preset.
The procedure for playing a music preset is the same as for an accompaniment.
Using automatic arpeggio phrases (Arpeggiator)
Using the Arpeggiator enables you to automatically play an arpeggio or any of a range of phrases simply by pressing a key on the keyboard. You can choose from a large array of arpeggio types, including those that play an arpeggio based on a played chord and those that automatically play various phrases.
- The Auto Harmonize and Arpeggiator functions share a single button. When the Arpeggiator function is enabled, you cannot use the Auto Harmonize function.
1.Tap
2.Set Arpeggiator/Auto Harmonize to “Arpeggiator”.
3.Select Arpeggiator Type.
For details of the list of types, refer to the “Built-in Music Files” list provided with the musical instrument.
4.If necessary, set Arpeggiator Hold to “ON”.
Selecting “ON” allows the arpeggio to continue playing even after you have stopped playing the chord and lifted your fingers off the keyboard.
5.Select Arpeggiator Part.
Casio Keyboard Notes Layout
You can specify whether the Arpeggiator plays both the Upper1 and Upper2 parts during layering or just the Upper1 part.
Upper1&2: Plays both parts.
Upper1: Plays only the Upper1 part.
Applying chords to melody notes (Auto Harmonize)
Adding chords to the notes of the melody played by your right hand adds depth and texture to the melody. You can choose from 12 types of chord addition.
- The Auto Harmonize and Arpeggiator functions share a single button. When the Auto Harmonize function is enabled, you cannot use the Arpeggiator function.
1.Tap
2.Set Arpeggiator/Auto Harmonize to “Auto Harmonize”.
3.Select Auto Harmonize Type.
Duet 1: Adds one note in close harmony (separated by 2-4 degrees) below the melody being played.
Duet 2: Adds one note in open harmony (separated by 4-6 degrees) below the notes in the melody being played.
Country: Adds harmony suited to Country music performances.
Octave: Adds notes one octave lower.
5th: Adds notes one fifth higher.
3-Way Open: Adds two voices (making three voices with the melody being played) in open harmony.
3-Way Close: Adds two voices (making three voices with the melody being played) in close harmony.
Strings: Adds harmony suited to string performances.
4-Way Open: Adds three voices (making four voices with the melody being played) in open harmony.
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4-Way Close: Adds three voices (making four voices with the melody being played) in close harmony.
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Block: Adds block chords.
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Big Band: Adds harmony suited to big band performances.