What is polyphony? – The importance of polyphony in electric pianos
When buying an electric piano, many people only pay attention to whether the sound is beautiful or not. But there is a very important technical indicator that directly affects the performance and playing quality of the piano: Polyphony . So what is polyphony , how many polyphony notes should there be and why is it so important? Let's explain in simple and understandable language.
What is polyphony?
Polyphony is the maximum number of notes a piano can produce at the same time.
If an electric piano is labeled with “64 polyphony,” it means that the piano can play 64 different sounds simultaneously . These sounds don’t just include notes played with your fingers – they include sustained sounds from the pedal, overlapping notes, and even, on some pianos, the ability to play two sounds at once using the layer function.Our electric piano catalog
Why is the number of polyphony important?
The higher the polyphony number , the clearer, fuller, and uninterrupted the piano's sounds can be.
On pianos with low polyphony, when several notes and pedals overlap, the previous sounds are interrupted , causing the music to sound robotic .
If you just want to practice, playing with a few fingers, 64 polyphony may be enough.
But if you play with two hands, use a pedal, or play classical pieces or film music, you should choose an electric piano with a minimum polyphony of 128 or 192. You can view our extensive piano catalog here , which includes pianos with 128 polyphony to unlimited polyphony.
The polyphony number is set, but the sound cuts out? Why?
Although some cheap Chinese brands show a polyphony of 128 or 256, in reality this is not possible. Because the sound processors of these pianos are weak, their tuning is unprofessional, and the sounds start to cut off when the notes overlap.
Such pianos are often assembled only in Chinese factories , each part is made in a different factory and sold only in Azerbaijan. For a true musical experience, it is important to give preference to reliable, well-known brands . View our piano catalog
What polyphony number should I choose?
| Number of polyphony | Who is it suitable for? |
|---|---|
| 32 – 64 | For beginners, very simple performances |
| 128 – 192 | For intermediate performers, pedal music |
| 256 and above | For professional performers, concert level |
Polyphony is your musical freedom
Remember, polyphony is not just a technical indicator. It is the breath of music, the carrier of emotion. Low polyphony does not allow you to express yourself, your feelings remain incomplete. When choosing a piano, do not overlook this technical detail.
If you want a more realistic sound, more expressive performance, and a more professional result – look at models with high polyphony values from brands such as Kawai , Roland , and Medeli .
