Piano Technology & Digital Applications 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which file format is most commonly used to distribute digital sheet music that preserves layout fidelity across devices?
- MIDI
- PDF (Correct answer)
- MusicXML
- MP3
Correct answer: PDF
PDF preserves the visual layout of sheet music exactly as intended across all devices and printers.
Question 2: In digital audio workstations (DAWs), what does 'latency' refer to in the context of a MIDI keyboard?
- The sustain length of a note
- The delay between pressing a key and hearing the sound (Correct answer)
- The volume dynamic range
- The polyphony limit of the instrument
Correct answer: The delay between pressing a key and hearing the sound
Latency is the time delay between a MIDI input action and the resulting audio output, critical for real-time performance.
Question 3: What is the primary purpose of an audio interface when recording piano into a computer?
- To store MIDI data on a flash drive
- To convert analog audio signals into digital data the computer can process (Correct answer)
- To amplify the piano's internal speakers
- To generate virtual piano sounds
Correct answer: To convert analog audio signals into digital data the computer can process
An audio interface handles analog-to-digital conversion, providing high-quality recording with low latency.
Question 4: Which notation software feature allows a pianist to slow down playback while practicing a difficult passage without changing pitch?
- Transposition
- Tempo scaling (Correct answer)
- Key signature lock
- Staff condensing
Correct answer: Tempo scaling
Tempo scaling reduces playback speed while maintaining the original pitch, useful for learning fast passages.
Question 5: What does 'velocity' represent in a MIDI piano performance?
- The speed at which notes scroll on screen
- The force with which a key is pressed, affecting volume (Correct answer)
- The tempo of the entire piece
- The number of simultaneous notes played
Correct answer: The force with which a key is pressed, affecting volume
MIDI velocity is a value (0–127) corresponding to how hard a key is struck, which controls note loudness.
Question 6: Which technology allows a smartphone app to listen to a pianist playing and provide real-time feedback on note accuracy?
- Bluetooth MIDI
- Audio pitch detection / AI listening (Correct answer)
- NFC pairing
- Screen mirroring
Correct answer: Audio pitch detection / AI listening
AI-powered pitch detection analyzes microphone input in real time and compares it to the expected notes.
Question 7: In a digital piano, what is the function of the 'sustain pedal input' (often a 1/4" jack)?
- It connects the piano to an amplifier
- It allows an external sustain pedal to send a damper-on signal to the instrument (Correct answer)
- It charges the internal battery
- It links to a metronome app
Correct answer: It allows an external sustain pedal to send a damper-on signal to the instrument
The sustain pedal jack receives a switch signal from a foot pedal, triggering the digital damper effect just like an acoustic damper pedal.
Piano Technology & Digital Applications 2
Which file format is most commonly used to distribute digital sheet music that preserves layout fidelity across devices?