Choose a digital piano based on its playing feel and a sufficient key range for chords and a separate left-hand part. Then check the headphone socket, dimensions and the pedal you’ll need. For blues sounds and timing, it’s also worth considering electric piano voices and a metronome. Headphones won’t stop the sound of the keys and pedals carrying around the room.
You want to listen through headphones when other people are at home. Bear in mind that the keys and pedals can still make a noise. The Dutch Government advises people experiencing noise problems with neighbours to discuss and agree on arrangements together first.
You want to practise chords, a left-hand part and your timing. Berklee College of Music describes blues progressions using I, IV and V chords, among other things, with variations on a repeating 12-bar pattern.
You want to be able to move or put away the piano after practising. Compare the instrument’s dimensions with the space needed for the stand and seating; Yamaha, Casio and Korg publish dimensions for individual models.
Start with the key range and playing feel you need for both hands. Then measure the space available and consider which combination of headphones, sounds, metronome and pedal suits the way you practise.
| What to consider | What to look for | Who is this important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Practising with housemates | Check that the version has a headphone socket and agree on practice times. | If other people are at home, I want to listen through headphones without assuming the keys and pedals will be silent; around 33% of consumers prioritise being able to practise quietly. |
| Chords and left hand | Compare the feel and range of the keys; try playing chords and repeated notes yourself. | If you want to practise chords and a separate left-hand part, focus on the keyboard and its response to your touch; around 27% of consumers prioritise playing the piano with both hands. |
| Space for setting it up | Measure the width and depth needed for the instrument, as well as the space taken up by the stand and seating. | If the piano needs to be moved or put away between sessions, I want to know how much room the complete set-up requires; around 20% of consumers make space for setting it up their main consideration. |
| Sound and timing | Listen to the available sounds and check how to use the metronome. | If you want to try out blues sounds and practise at a steady tempo, compare the choice of sounds and the metronome; around 20% of consumers give this combination top priority. |
You’ll hear the piano through your headphones, but the keys and pedals can still make a noise in the room.
Try the set-up at the time you plan to practise and, if needed, agree on practice times with your housemates.
The piano’s dimensions don’t tell you how much space the stand, seating and pedal set-up will take up together.
Measure the whole practice area and check which parts are included with the specific version.
A stand, seat or different pedal may also need extra space.
Roland says that Bluetooth availability on the FP-10 may depend on the country where it’s sold.
Check the full model name, the features you want and what’s included in the specific offer.
The P-145 is a useful point of comparison if you’re looking for a portable model with a full piano keyboard.
The FP-10 is worth considering if piano playing, electric piano sounds and a built-in metronome all matter to you.
The CDP-S110BK is a model to compare if the depth of the instrument is important to you.
The B2+ is worth comparing if you’re looking for a portable piano with electric piano sounds and a headphone socket.
The Joybuy picks below are 61-key models to consider if a more limited key range suits your practice. A 61-key keyboard has a narrower range than a full 88-key keyboard.
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Could suit you if 61 keys are enough and you want to use a metronome while practising.
The product title lists 61 weighted keys; the product description mentions touch-sensitive keys, a metronome and a headphone socket.
Its range is more limited than that of a full 88-key keyboard.
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Could suit you if you want to practise blues progressions on a 61-key keyboard and use a metronome.
The product description lists 61 keys, a metronome and a headphone socket.
The keyboard has a narrower range than a full 88-key keyboard.
Headphones let you listen without sound from the speakers, but they don’t guarantee that your housemates won’t hear the keys and pedals. The Dutch Government advises people experiencing noise problems with neighbours to discuss and agree on arrangements together first, such as practice times.
Start with a repeating 12-bar pattern and the I, IV and V chords. Berklee College of Music describes several variations; then practise the tempo and add a separate left-hand part.
Use a suitable, stable stand and follow the manual for your chosen model. Roland warns that an incorrectly set-up stand can be unstable with the FP-10.
No. If a product is faulty, the seller must offer a solution. According to the Dutch Government, the Netherlands has no fixed statutory guarantee period; what you can expect from a product depends, among other things, on the product itself and the information provided at the time of purchase.
When you buy from a business at a distance, you’ll often have a 14-day cooling-off period. The Dutch Government lists exceptions and distinguishes between buying from a business and buying from a private seller; check which terms apply to your purchase.
