Digital Piano Function Series: The Split

Right hand on piano, left hand on bass, and you're ready to jam.

Well, according to our process manuals, the split is next on our list. The split, like the name, is a utility that splits the piano keyboard into two smaller keyboards; separate voices may be assigned to each of them, effectively dividing the piano into two different instruments, one dedicated on high register and the other on lower.

The point on which the keyboard is divided is called the ‘split point’; for the majority of Dynatone digital pianos this is initially set to F#4 (F# right above the middle C), but the point may be set to any pitch to meet the user's preference and needs. Also, as with the layer, the split “accompaniment” voice has separate volume value that is independent from the main volume, allowing the player to address any potential balance issues between the two voices.

One musical practice that has been common throughout our history is that of having a “melody” part and an “accompaniment” part, found in the major bulwark of both classical and popular music. While not necessarily, a fair portion of these consists of a “melody” instrument on the high register, and an “accompaniment” instrument on the lower range. Sounds familiar? Again you no more need two players to observe the fine custom - activate the split mode on your digital piano, pick whatever instruments of your fancy for the two voices, and you're ready to go.

Some of our entry models have a couple of voices that are grouped together as split-specific; in this case, the voices included are the ones traditionally regarded as 'bass', which follows the norms of common musical practice, and assigned to the “left” part of the keyboard. On more advanced models, however, the player have total freedom of choosing whichever voice he or she desires as either the main “right” or the split “left” voice; it is totally feasible to pick a heavy instrumental "low" voice for the right while assigning a melodic instrument to the left, creating a highly unusual but nevertheless interesting instrumental combination.