Pianist preparing for exams
Practises dynamics, keyboard range and pedalling for set piano pieces. Check the requirements of your exam route, such as those set by ABRSM or Trinity.
Who is this choice relevant to?
Practising in a shared space
Wants to practise alone using headphones, or listen with a teacher without using the music room’s speakers. Roland and Kawai describe models with two headphone sockets.
User of a shared or changing teaching space
Needs to set up, move or store the complete playing arrangement, and wants to know which stand and pedals come with the chosen version.
What should you look for?
Portable digital piano
A good fit if: you move the piano between practice spaces or can’t set up the music room permanently.
Check: whether the stand and the pedal you need are included with the exact version.
Fixed cabinet or console setup
A good fit if: you have a permanent space for the instrument, seat and pedal setup.
Check: the dimensions of the complete setup and which pedal unit comes with each version.
Shorter electronic keyboard
Only suitable if: your chosen exam route and all your pieces allow for the available keyboard range.
Check: the exception Trinity mentions for certain digital piano exams doesn’t automatically apply to other grades or exam boards; ABRSM has its own instrument requirements.
| What to consider | What should you check? | Who is this relevant to? |
|---|---|---|
| Exam-suitable touch and pedals | Check the touch sensitivity, weighted keys, range and sustain pedal against the requirements for your exam and pieces. ABRSM and Trinity set out their own requirements. | I want to practise my pieces on a keyboard, with a pedal, that suits my exam route; around 36% of consumers prioritise exam-suitable touch and pedals. |
| Quiet practice and listening together | Check how many headphone sockets there are and whether a teacher needs to listen at the same time. Roland lists two outputs on the FP-30X; Kawai lists two sockets on the ES120. | When I practise in a shared space, I want to listen through headphones on my own or with my teacher; around 29% of consumers prioritise quiet practice and listening together. |
| Space and portability | Measure the space for the piano, stand, seat and pedal; compare the dimensions and weight of the exact version. | I need to use the piano in a changing or limited teaching space; around 21% of consumers prioritise space and portability. |
| Complete playing setup | Check what’s in the box and whether the stand and pedal unit you want are sold separately. | I want to know in advance which parts I’ll need to complete my playing setup; around 14% of consumers name a complete setup as their top buying priority. |
Things to watch out for when buying
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Assuming that ‘weighted’ means the keyboard is suitable for every exam
Requirements can vary by exam board, grade and chosen pieces. A weighted keyboard with a limited range may still not be suitable for your exam route.
Check the full model specifications and compare the range and pedal function with the requirements for your exam and repertoire.
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Comparing only the keyboard and forgetting the rest of the setup
The stand and pedals included vary by model and version. A pedal suited to one playing need won’t necessarily replace the unit you need for your pieces.
Make a list of the parts you need, then check what’s in the box for the exact version and whether the accessories are compatible.
Brands to compare
Yamaha
The P-145 is a portable digital piano worth comparing if a weighted keyboard is important to you.
- Yamaha specifies 88 GHC keys for the P-145.
- The LP-5A three-pedal unit is optional, so check the pedal setup included with the exact version.
Roland
The FP-30X is worth considering if a student and teacher want to listen through headphones at the same time.
- Roland lists an 88-key PHA-4 Standard keyboard and two headphone outputs.
- According to Roland, the KPD-70 three-pedal unit and DP-10 pedal are optional accessories that can be connected; this is not an independent assessment of the playing feel.
Kawai
The ES120 is worth comparing for shared practice and use in changing spaces.
- Kawai lists a Responsive Hammer Compact keyboard and two headphone sockets.
- The stand and three-pedal unit are optional accessories. Claims of a grand-piano-like playing feel come from Kawai and are not based on independent testing.
Korg
The B2+ is worth a look if you want to check which accessories come with a digital piano.
- Korg specifies 88 NH keys, a headphone socket and an included damper pedal.
- The stand and PU-2 half-pedalling unit are sold separately; don’t confuse the B2+ with the older B2.
Casio
The Netherlands version of the PX-S1100CB is worth considering if you’re looking at a portable Privia.
- Casio describes this version as having 88 keys with Smart Scaled Hammer Action and an included SP-3 damper pedal.
- The claim that the model is exceptionally compact comes from Casio and is not based on an independent comparison.
Joybuy products for practising in a shared music room
These products are portable keyboard instruments with 61 keys. Before choosing one, check that the keyboard range suits your exam route and pieces.
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MLS-931 digital piano, 61 keys, black
The headphone socket may be useful for practising on your own in a shared space; first check whether 61 keys are enough for your exam route and pieces.
The product name mentions a weighted keyboard and music stand.
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Electronic keyboard, 61 keys, black
The headphone socket may be useful for practising on your own; check whether the keyboard range suits the requirements of your exam and chosen pieces.
The product name mentions a music stand and metronome.
Frequently asked questions
Can I take a grade exam on a digital piano?
It depends on the exam board, exam format and grade. ABRSM allows digital pianos for its Practical Piano Grades, subject to specific instrument requirements. Trinity allows digital pianos for its digital piano grade exams if, among other things, the range and touch meet its requirements; different rules apply to the solo piano diplomas mentioned. Check which rules apply to your exam.
Are 61 keys enough for a grade exam?
Don’t assume they are without checking: the range you need depends on your exam route and chosen pieces. Trinity allows an exception, subject to certain conditions, for electronic keyboards up to and including Grade 3 in digital grade exams, while ABRSM has its own requirements for Practical Piano Grades. Check the full requirements before choosing a shorter keyboard.
Do I need a three-pedal unit?
It depends on your pieces and exam route. Yamaha lists the LP-5A for the P-145 as optional; Korg lists an included damper pedal with the B2+ and a separately available PU-2 half-pedalling unit. Check the pedal function you need and what’s included with the exact version.
Can a teacher listen through headphones at the same time as me?
Yes, if the piano has two suitable sockets and both headphones fit them. Roland lists two outputs for the FP-30X and Kawai lists two sockets for the ES120; check the type of socket on your headphones before use, too.
Which rules and consumer rights are relevant when buying in the Netherlands?
Electrical and electronic equipment placed on the Dutch market must comply with the applicable European safety and conformity rules. For online consumer purchases from a business, you usually have a 14-day cooling-off period; check who the seller is and who to contact about returns or a faulty product. This does not confirm that any individual offer meets all product requirements.