Piano exam candidate
You want to practise on a keyboard with pedals suited to your exam pieces. ABRSM has its own requirements for digital pianos used in its piano exams, so check the rules of your exam board and the repertoire you’ll be playing.
Who is this choice relevant to?
Practising with housemates
You want to hear the piano through headphones, but you also need to consider the noise made by the keys and pedals. The Dutch government advises people to agree on arrangements with one another first when dealing with noise nuisance.
Practising without a permanent space
You need to be able to move the instrument or set it up in a shared room. So measure more than just the piano: allow for the stand, bench, legroom and pedal too.
What should you look for when buying?
| What to consider | What should you check? | Who is this important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Keyboard and pedal for your exam | Check your exam board’s requirements, as well as the range and pedal function your pieces call for. For its piano exams, ABRSM specifies features including full-size, weighted keys with touch sensitivity and a sustain pedal. | I want to make sure my keyboard and pedal are suitable for my exam pieces; around 36% of consumers therefore prioritise being able to play the pieces required for their exam. |
| Practising with housemates | Check the headphone connection and listen out for whether the keys and pedals can still be heard in a quiet room. If necessary, agree on practice times; the Dutch government advises people to make arrangements with one another first when dealing with noise nuisance. | If I practise while my housemates are at home, I want to hear the piano privately without assuming that the sound of the keys will be inaudible; around 29% of consumers prioritise living together without disturbance. |
| Space and moving the piano | Measure the space, allowing for the stand, bench, legroom and pedal. Also check that the complete set-up will be stable. | If I have a shared or changing practice space, I want to know in advance whether the complete set-up will fit and can be moved; around 21% of consumers prioritise space and portability. |
| Complete pedal set-up | Check what comes with your chosen bundle and which stand or pedal unit you’ll need. For three pedals on the FP-30X, Roland specifies the KPD-70 used with the KSC-70 stand. | I want to use the pedal functions required for my repertoire and know which parts I’ll need; around 14% of consumers prioritise a complete or upgradeable pedal set-up. |
Common buying mistakes
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Assuming a headphone connection makes practice completely silent
Headphones let you hear the piano privately, but your housemates may still hear the keys or pedals.
Try the set-up in a quiet room and agree on practice times with the people you live with.
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Assuming a portable piano automatically comes with a complete pedal set-up
Some portable models require you to buy parts for a three-pedal set-up separately. For the FP-30X, Roland specifies the KPD-70 with the KSC-70 stand.
Before choosing a set-up, check what’s included in the exact bundle and whether the required parts are compatible.
A stand, pedal unit or bench can take up extra space and make the set-up harder to move.
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Assuming one exam syllabus applies to every grade exam
ABRSM’s instrument and transition rules apply to exams run by that organisation; the appropriate repertoire also depends on the exam year and route.
Check the exam board, grade, exam format and pieces before treating specific keyboard or pedal requirements as decisive.
Brands to compare
Yamaha
The P-145BT is a compact option in the P series to consider when comparing portable models.
- Yamaha lists an 88-key GHC keyboard and Bluetooth audio for the P-145BT.
- The LP-5A three-pedal unit is optional. Check which pedals and stand are included in the specific bundle.
Roland
The portable FP-30X and the RP107, designed for a permanent furniture-style set-up, offer different set-up options.
- Roland lists two headphone outputs for the FP-30X and three integrated pedals for the RP107.
- For three pedals on the FP-30X, Roland specifies the KPD-70 used with the KSC-70 stand. Check what’s included in the bundle.
Casio
The CDP-S110 is a portable model worth comparing if you’re looking for a slim instrument with a sustain pedal included.
- Casio lists 88 keys, a headphone output and an SP-3 pedal included. The stated instrument depth is 232 mm.
- The depth measurement doesn’t include the full playing space. Check for yourself whether the included pedal is suitable for your repertoire.
Kawai
The portable ES120 is worth comparing if you’re looking for two headphone connections or a separate three-pedal set-up.
- Kawai lists two headphone connections and a weight of 12,5 kg for the ES120.
- The stand and three-pedal unit are optional. Kawai says availability varies by market, so check local availability and what’s included in the bundle.
Joybuy products for practising at home
These portable 61-key models have a headphone connection or port for private practice. Before choosing, check whether the 61-key range and the features listed are suitable for your exam requirements and repertoire.
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MLS-931 digital piano, 61 keys, black
The headphone connection gives you the option of practising privately; check whether 61 keys are enough for your exam pieces.
The product name specifies 61 keys and a weighted keyboard.
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Electronic keyboard piano, 61 keys, black
The headphone port gives you the option of practising privately; check whether the 61 keys cover the range your repertoire requires.
The product name specifies a metronome and a music stand.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use a digital piano for an ABRSM piano exam?
For its Practical Piano Grades, ABRSM allows a digital piano if it has features including a piano sound, full-size weighted keys with touch sensitivity, a suitable range and a sustain pedal. Check your exam board’s rules too: ABRSM requirements are not a general rule for exams in the Netherlands.
Which ABRSM piano pieces syllabus applies if my exam is in 2027?
ABRSM says the 2027–2028 repertoire can be used from 1 January 2027. You can still choose all three pieces from the 2025–2026 syllabus up to and including 31 December 2027, as long as all three are from the same syllabus.
Do I only need the pedal unit for three pedals on a Roland FP-30X?
No. Roland specifies the KPD-70 three-pedal unit for the FP-30X used with the KSC-70 stand. Check whether both parts are included in your chosen bundle.
How can I reduce noise nuisance while practising?
Use suitable headphones and also consider the noise made by the keys and pedals in your home. The Dutch government advises people to agree on arrangements with their neighbours first when dealing with noise; it does not set a general permitted practice time for every home.
What are my rights if I’m unhappy with a piano bought online or it’s faulty?
For an online consumer purchase where the cooling-off period applies, the Netherlands Authority for Consumers and Markets (ACM) specifies a period of 14 days after delivery. Your statutory guarantee is separate: according to the ACM, the seller is responsible for offering a suitable solution if the product is faulty. Check which rules apply to your purchase.