A piano produces sound by pressing keys that make hammers strike the strings inside. It has a wide range from low to high and can play melody, chords, and accompaniment on one instrument.
The basic idea
The standard approach is low notes and chords in the left hand and melody in the right, but you can change the roles freely. Playing harder or softer also changes the expression of the sound.
Using it in performance and programming
Start with the melody in your right hand and simple chords in your left. In a DAW, adjusting velocity and damper pedal data makes programmed parts sound more natural.
Difference from related terms
Piano is the instrument, while keyboard is a broader name that also covers electronic instruments and input devices with keys.
The piano keyboard is also useful as a reference for checking chords and trying out melodies.
