teclas

Teclas is the plural of tecla in Spanish, meaning keys or buttons. The term is used across several domains to refer to physical controls designed to be pressed to elicit a function, such as on musical instruments, typewriters, and electronic devices.

In music, teclas describe the keys of a keyboard instrument, most notably the piano. The keyboard is divided into white keys (naturales) and black keys (sostenidos or bemoles), arranged in repeating patterns that correspond to the western chromatic scale. The technique of pressing specific teclas and the associated fingering determine pitch and rhythm. Modern pianos typically have 88 teclas, and keyboard layout has influenced composition and performance practices.

In computing and consumer electronics, teclas denote keys on input devices. A computer keyboard features alphanumeric keys, punctuation, function keys (F1–F12), a numeric keypad, and modifier keys such as Shift, Ctrl, and Alt. The physical characteristics of teclas vary: they can be mechanical switches, membrane domes, or scissor-mounted assemblies, affecting travel, pressure, and feedback.

The term is also used for buttons on remote controls, game controllers, and mobile devices. In figurative language, la tecla can mean an essential element or clue, as in "la tecla del asunto." The concept of teclas thus spans practical interfaces for producing input and controlling machines, as well as metaphorical usage in Spanish.