Abstract: A keyboard for a musical instrument having a plurality of elongated keys with each key having a rearwardly extending actuating arm. The arm has an upper and a lower nonresilient switch actuator for actuating a respective first and second keyboard switch with each switch having a substrate with at least one fixed contact. A deformable membrane has coupled thereto a movable contact which is adapted for movement into and out of electrical connection with the fixed contact. The first and second switches are positioned so that the lower actuator normally maintains closed the first switch and when the key is actuated the first switch opens and the upper actuator closes the second switch. The deformable membrane is formed of Poron cellular urethane which distributes and absorbs the actuation force and springs back to its undeformed shape when not actuated.