Quiet home practiser
You share your home and want to practise a blues progression with headphones, while also taking account of audible key noise and agreeing practice times with your housemates.
Who is this for?
Beginner blues pianist
You want to practise bass, chords and rhythm with both hands, so you’re paying attention to the key range, touch and the pedal you’ll need.
Player short on space
You want to be able to set your instrument up or put it away after practising, and are weighing up a shorter stage keyboard against the range of 88 keys.
What should you look for?
Portable digital piano with 88 weighted keys
A good fit if: you want to practise bass and chords with both hands and a piano-like touch matters to you.
Bear in mind: a full keyboard needs more space; Yamaha specifies a width of 1,326 mm for the P-145BT.
Compact 61-key stage keyboard
A good fit if: your practice fits within the shorter range and you want a smaller set-up or instant access to other sounds.
Bear in mind: the Yamaha CK61 doesn’t have the same 88-key hammer-action keyboard as the portable digital pianos considered here.
| What to consider | What to look for | Who is this important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Practising quietly | Check the headphone socket on the exact version and consider whether housemates will still hear the physical sound of the keys. | If I want to practise in a shared home without using the speakers, I want to know what my housemates may still hear. Around 36% of consumers prioritise silent practice. |
| Touch and range | Compare the lowest and highest notes in your practice piece with the keyboard range, and check which pedal you’ll need. | If I want to play bass and chords with both hands, I want the range and touch to suit my practice. Around 29% of consumers give piano touch and range top priority. |
| Space for your set-up | Measure the space for your instrument and allow room for the music stand, seat, stand, pedal and cables too. Yamaha Netherlands lists a width of 910 mm for the CK61 and 1,326 mm for the P-145BT; these are the dimensions of the instruments. | If I’m short on space, I want to know whether the complete playing area will fit and whether I can put the instrument away. Around 21% of consumers prioritise the space available. |
| Sounds and practice features | Check whether the exact model has the electric piano or organ sound and metronome function you want. | If I want to use electric piano or organ sounds as well as piano, I look for the sounds and controls I’ll actually need. Around 14% of consumers give variety of sounds top priority. |
Buying pitfalls
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Confusing Bluetooth audio with wireless headphone use
A Bluetooth audio function may be intended for playing music from a phone through the instrument’s speakers. That doesn’t confirm that you can pair Bluetooth headphones.
Check the headphone output and the Bluetooth functions supported by the exact model separately.
You may need wired headphones or a plug adaptor for private listening.
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Measuring only the instrument’s casing
The instrument’s dimensions don’t tell you how much space you’ll need for a complete seated playing set-up.
Before ordering, also measure the space for the music stand, chair, legs, pedal and cables.
You may need a different stand or to rearrange your practice space.
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Assuming 61 and 88 keys are suitable for the same practice
The Yamaha CK61 has 61 FSB keys, while the P-145BT has 88 GHC keys. Whether the shorter range is enough depends on the notes you play with both hands at once and the kind of touch you want.
Check the highest and lowest notes in your bass part and chords, and try both key actions if possible.
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Assuming an optional pedal or stand is included
Yamaha lists the LP-5A three-pedal unit for the P-145BT as optional; Roland also lists the DP-10 for the FP-10 as optional. The contents of a bundle may vary.
Compare what’s included in the bundle with the pedal function you want to practise.
You may need to buy a suitable pedal or stand separately.
Brands to consider
Roland
The FP-10 is a portable digital piano worth considering if you’re looking for 88 hammer-action keys, headphone use and a metronome.
- According to Roland’s product specifications, the FP-10 has a PHA-4 Standard keyboard, built-in speakers, headphone support and a metronome.
- The DP-10 pedal for half-pedalling is optional. Roland says Bluetooth availability may vary by country; check the version you want to buy. Roland’s claims about sound and playing feel are manufacturer claims.
Yamaha
The P-145BT is a portable digital piano with 88 keys; the CK61 is a shorter stage keyboard with different sounds and controls.
- Yamaha Netherlands specifies 88 GHC keys and a width of 1,326 mm for the P-145BT. For the CK61, Yamaha lists 61 FSB keys, a headphone socket and piano, electric piano and organ sounds.
- A three-pedal unit for the P-145BT is optional. The CK61 doesn’t have the same full hammer-action keyboard; Yamaha’s description of an authentic playing feel is the manufacturer’s assessment.
Casio
The CDP-S110BK is worth considering if a shallow casing and independent practice on 88 keys are important to you.
- Casio lists 88 keys, a depth of 232 mm, a PHONES/OUTPUT socket and an included SP-3 damper pedal.
- The depth doesn’t represent the total space you’ll need for a stand, chair and playing area. Casio’s assessment of the key feel is a manufacturer claim.
Kawai
The ES60 is a portable digital piano to compare if you’re looking for 88 keys and a headphone output.
- Kawai describes the ES60 as having a Responsive Hammer Lite action and a metronome; a Dutch product listing specifies 88 keys and a headphone output.
- Don’t assume features of the separate ES120, such as two headphone sockets, are also available on the ES-60 without checking. Kawai’s statements about mechanical key noise are manufacturer claims.
Joybuy product picks
These product picks are 61-key instruments for anyone looking for a more compact set-up and private practice. Check that the key range and touch suit the blues progression you want to play.
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MLS-931 digital piano, 61 keys
Could suit you if you’re looking for a 61-key keyboard with a headphone socket; check that the range covers the notes you play at the same time.
The product name lists weighted keys, 300 sounds, 300 rhythms, an LCD screen, USB-MIDI, speakers and a headphone socket.
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Electronic keyboard piano, 61 keys, with recording function
Could suit you if you want to practise with headphones and are looking for a metronome function; check that the touch and range work for your practice.
The product name lists a MIDI controller, recording function, speakers, metronome and music stand.
Frequently asked questions
Are headphones enough to practise at any time without disturbing anyone?
Not always: headphones alone won’t necessarily stop the physical sound of the keys from being heard. Roland describes headphone use with the FP-10; Kawai discusses mechanical key noise separately for the ES60. If you share your home, agree practice times and check how much sound carries where you plan to play. The Dutch Government advises people to try reaching an agreement with each other first when dealing with noise nuisance.
What’s a good first exercise for a blues progression?
Start with the I, IV and V chords in one key and practise a simple 12-bar structure. Yamaha Music uses C, F and G as an example in C; a metronome can help you practise changing chords in time.
What should I check before setting up and connecting the piano?
Measure the space for the instrument and for the music stand, seat, stand and pedal. Check the plug size on your headphones, which adaptor and pedal are included with your version, and which power supply the manufacturer recommends.
What are my rights when buying online in the Netherlands?
For a standard online consumer purchase, you generally have a statutory 14-day cancellation period from the day after delivery, subject to exceptions. ACM ConsuWijzer explains this cancellation period. Your statutory guarantee is separate from any manufacturer’s warranty: if a product doesn’t do what you could reasonably expect under normal use, the seller must put things right in line with the applicable terms.