Keytar
The Keytar or Gui-Board is the name given to the musical keyboard synthesizer that is fashioned into the shape of a guitar (Keyboard + Guitar/Guitar+keyboard) which often includes a strap so that it can be played on stage and will not limit the musician to being stationary as is the case with conventional keyboards and synths.
The keytar was made popular in the 1980s by hair bands and with the changing trend of music they have now fallen out of vogue and are considered "tacky" or "lame" (although some "hipsters" now value the instruments for their kitsch value).
Keytars for the most part can only be found used. When not recognized as a serious instrument they will usually be placed in the toy section for a few dollars. The confusion between keytars and children's toys are the fault of cheap chinese toy manufacturers who continue to create simple toys that are similar in shape.
Features on the instrument include but are not limited to pitch bends, vibrato, portamento, and sustain.
Yamaha was arguably the best-known keytar manufacturer.
List of Keytars
- Casio AZ-1
- Roland AX-1
- Roland AX-7
- Roland AXIS
- Roland SH-101
- Moog Liberation
- Yamaha SHS-10
- Yamaha SHS-200
- Yamaha KX5
Alternate Names for the Keytar
- Keytar, Keyboard Guitar
- Guiboard or Gui-board
- Rock Keyboard
- MIDI Keyboard Controller
- Remote Keyboard
- Portable Keyboard
- Belly-Synth
- Synth Guitar (not to be confused with MIDI Guitar)
- Master Keyboard (as most were used as MIDI controllers)
Notable musicians that implemented Keytars: