Blues learner practising with both hands
Practises bass lines, chords and transitions, and wants a key action that stays comfortable during repeated playing. Berklee Online describes blues accompaniment as including left-hand bass lines and chords.
Who is this choice relevant to?
Band musician in a rehearsal room
Wants to be heard while playing with others and needs outputs that work with the available sound system. Roland, Kawai and Korg list separate audio outputs for specific models.
Player who often takes their piano with them
Regularly sets up and packs away their equipment, so needs to consider the instrument’s weight and dimensions, as well as what else they need to play. Yamaha and Korg list weights for specific models; the stand and soft case for the Korg D1 are separate accessories.
What should you look for?
Berklee Online describes blues accompaniment as including left-hand bass lines and chords. So first decide how you play, then check that the piano suits your sound system and the way you practise.
| What to consider | What to look for when buying | Who it matters most to |
|---|---|---|
| Key action and range | Try playing bass lines and chord changes on the keyboard; check the number and type of keys, as well as the pedal connection. | If I play bass lines and chords at the same time, I want enough range and a key action that feels right for me. Around 40% of consumers say that practising blues with both hands is their main purchasing concern. |
| Connecting to equipment for playing with others | Check which inputs the mixer or active speakers have and compare them with the piano’s outputs. Remember to consider suitable cables too. | At a band rehearsal, I want to know how to connect the piano to the available sound system. Around 30% of consumers prioritise connecting their piano for playing with others. |
| Transport and set-up | Compare the dimensions and instrument weight; include the stand, pedal, power supply and cables in your practical assessment. | If I take my piano with me often, I want to know whether I can transport the complete set-up. Around 20% of consumers say transport is their main purchasing concern. |
| Quiet practice | Check for a headphone socket and consider whether you’ll also want to hear the piano through speakers without headphones. | When I practise without speaker sound, I want to be able to connect suitable headphones. Around 10% of consumers prioritise quiet practice. |
Pitfalls to avoid
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Don’t assume every ‘digital piano’ has a full-size keyboard
The MLS-931 has 61 keys, which gives it a different playing range from the 88-key models mentioned, such as the Yamaha P-225 and Korg D1.
Check the model number and number of keys before buying. Consider whether the range suits the bass lines and chords you want to practise with both hands.
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Don’t choose a piano without speakers unless you have a way to listen
The Korg D1 has no built-in speakers. You’ll therefore need headphones or suitable external audio equipment to hear it while playing.
Check what equipment is available in the rehearsal room and what you’ll need to practise independently elsewhere.
Allow for suitable external audio equipment and cables if you don’t already have them.
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Don’t compare instrument weight alone
The stated weight is for the instrument and doesn’t tell you how much the complete set-up weighs when ready for transport. Korg lists the D1 as weighing 16 kg.
Compare the full set-up you actually plan to transport and use.
Korg lists the stand and soft case for the D1 as separate accessories, so check which items are included with the version you’re buying.
Brands and models to compare
Roland
The FP-30X is a portable digital piano worth comparing if you want to practise independently and connect the instrument to an external sound system.
- Roland lists the FP-30X as having an 88-key PHA-4 keyboard, built-in speakers, separate outputs and two headphone outputs.
- Check which cables will work with your rehearsal room’s equipment, and try the key action to see how it feels.
Kawai
The ES120 is a portable option to compare if you want to combine piano playing with electric piano sounds and connections for playing with others.
- Kawai lists the ES120 as having electric piano sounds, a speaker system and separate Line Out sockets.
- Try the key action to see whether it suits your playing style, and check which cables you’ll need.
Yamaha
The P-225 is a compact P-series piano worth comparing if a full-size keyboard and portability are important to you.
- Yamaha Netherlands lists the P-225 as having 88 GHC keys and weighing 11,5 kg.
- Check the connections and accessories included with the version on offer before choosing the piano for your rehearsal room.
Korg
The D1 is an option for a rehearsal room that already has external audio equipment and where a variety of piano sounds are wanted.
- Korg lists the D1 as having LINE OUT, 88 RH3 keys, and electric piano, organ and clavinet sounds.
- The D1 has no built-in speakers and, according to Korg, weighs 16 kg. Bear this in mind when considering external audio equipment and transport.
Casio
The Privia PX-S1100BK is an option to compare if space is limited.
- Casio lists this model as having a depth of 232 mm and built-in speakers.
- Check that the connections and version suit your set-up and the way you practise.
Joybuy products
The Joybuy products below have 61 keys and list built-in speakers; they’re options for independent practice. Check that the playing range and connections suit your blues practice and the equipment in your rehearsal room.
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MLS-931 digital piano, 61 keys, black
Could suit you if you’re looking for a 61-key keyboard with weighted keys for independent practice; check that the range is enough for your bass lines and chords.
The product information lists USB-MIDI, audio input and output, built-in speakers and a headphone socket. The title also mentions a music stand.
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Electronic keyboard, 61 keys, black
Could suit you if you’re looking for a 61-key instrument for independent practice; compare its range with the parts you want to play with both hands.
The product name lists MIDI, a recording function, built-in speakers, a metronome and a music stand.
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Digital keyboard set, 61 keys, stand and stool
Could suit you if you’re looking for a permanent practice set-up with a keyboard, stand and stool; check that 61 keys are suitable for your practice.
The product name lists 500 sounds, dual speakers, an LCD screen and a three-step learning mode.
Frequently asked questions
How can I check whether the piano will connect to the rehearsal room’s sound system?
Compare the inputs on the mixer or active speakers with the outputs on the exact version of the piano. Korg lists LINE OUT (L/MONO, R) for the D1; Roland lists separate outputs for the FP-30X. Check which cables you’ll need too.
Can I use a Korg D1, which has no speakers, without extra equipment?
According to Korg, you’ll need headphones or suitable external audio equipment to hear the D1 while playing, as it has no built-in speakers.
Are a stand and carrying case automatically included with the Korg D1?
No. According to Korg, the stand and soft case are separate accessories. Korg lists the adapter, music rest and damper pedal among the included items, but check the contents of the specific offer.
Is a 61-key digital piano suitable for practising blues?
It depends on the range you need for your bass lines and chords. Compare 61 keys with a full-size 88-key keyboard, and try playing the parts you want to practise on the instrument.
What are my rights when buying a digital piano online as a private individual?
For distance purchases from a business, you’ll usually have a 14-day cooling-off period, according to the Dutch government. You’re also entitled to a product that is fit for purpose; in the Netherlands, there is no fixed statutory warranty period. ACM ConsuWijzer distinguishes purchases used mainly or exclusively for business purposes, which are not automatically covered by the same consumer protections.