Quiet home practiser
You practise on your own while other people are at home. Using headphones, finding a place for the piano and managing the sound of the keys are all important considerations for you.
Who is this choice relevant to?
Player of complete hymn parts
You play the melody and accompaniment with both hands and want to make sure the range, touch response and pedal suit the sheet music you use.
Accompanist for other singers
You sometimes rehearse with others and want to decide in advance whether you’ll listen privately or play the accompaniment through the speakers. An organ sound may also be important.
What should you look for?
| What to consider | What should you check? | Who is this important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Quiet practice | Check for a headphone socket and the type of plug you need. Also agree on suitable practice times and places at home. | If I practise while other people are at home, I want to listen privately without assuming that the sound of the keys will disappear. Around 36% of consumers prioritise quiet practice. |
| Range, touch response and pedal | Compare the lowest and highest notes in your parts with the keyboard. Try the touch response and check which pedal is included. | If I play complete parts, I want to know whether the range and pedal controls suit my sheet music. Around 29% of consumers prioritise complete piano parts. |
| Space and setup | Measure the space for both the instrument and player, including the music rest and pedal. Check the dimensions of the exact model and what’s included. | If my practice space is limited, I want to be able to set up and use everything in the space available. Around 21% of consumers prioritise a compact setup. |
| Sound and playing together | Listen to the organ sounds on the exact model. Decide whether someone playing with you will listen through the speakers or their own headphones. | If I’m looking for an organ sound or practising with others, I want to know in advance which sounds and listening options are available. Around 14% of consumers prioritise hymn sounds or listening together. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming headphones make playing completely silent
Headphones mean you don’t need to listen through the built-in speakers, but that doesn’t mean other people at home won’t hear the mechanical sound of the keys and pedal.
If possible, try the instrument in the intended spot with the speakers switched off. Also agree practice times with the people you live with.
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Measuring only the depth of the piano
Casio gives the CDP-S110BK a depth of 232 mm, while Yamaha gives the P-145BT a width of 1,326 mm. Measuring only the depth won’t tell you whether the instrument and your complete playing setup will fit.
Measure the space for the instrument, music rest, chair and pedal before choosing a model.
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Assuming a portable setup includes three pedals
For the portable models discussed here, Yamaha, Roland and Kawai list optional stands or pedal components. What’s included may vary between versions.
Check the contents of the exact set against the pedal functions you need for your parts.
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Assuming a piano sound will also work as an organ sound
If you want to practise hymns with an organ tone, you’ll need something different from a piano sound alone. Korg lists organ sounds for the B2.
Listen to the sounds on the exact model using a passage from your own repertoire.
Brands to compare
Yamaha
The P-145BT is a portable, piano-focused option if you’re looking for a full keyboard without a fixed furniture-style setup.
- Yamaha specifies 88 GHC keys and a width of 1,326 mm for the P-145BT.
- The LP-5A three-pedal unit is optional. Check which version is being offered; these are manufacturer specifications, not the result of an independent playing test.
Roland
The FP-30X is a portable option with a full keyboard and two headphone outputs, including for listening together privately.
- Roland lists 88 PHA-4 Standard keys and two headphone outputs for the FP-30X.
- The KSC-70 stand, KPD-70 pedal unit and DP-10 pedal are listed as optional. Check what’s included in the exact set.
Casio
The CDP-S110BK is worth comparing if a shallow case is important to you.
- Casio lists a depth of 232 mm, a PHONES/OUTPUT socket and an included SP-3 sustain pedal.
- Measure the complete setup too; a slim case doesn’t guarantee that every component will fit in the space available.
Korg
The B2 is worth considering if you want to compare organ sounds for hymns as well as piano sounds.
- Korg lists twelve sounds, including organs, 88 weighted NH keys and a combined PHONES/LINE OUT socket.
- The PU-2 half-pedal unit is sold separately. Listen to the sounds with your own repertoire.
Kawai
The ES120 is a portable option to compare if you’re looking for a piano-focused touch response and two places to listen privately.
- Kawai lists a Responsive Hammer Compact keyboard and two headphone sockets.
- According to the Dutch product page, the HML-2 stand and F-351 triple pedal unit are optional. Claims about reduced key noise are manufacturer claims, not measurements taken in a shared home.
Joybuy products for piano practice
Each of the Joybuy instruments below has 61 keys. Check that the range suits the hymns and parts you play.
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Digital Piano MLS-931, 61 keys, black
The headphone socket lets you listen privately; the 61-key range may not cover all the notes in your sheet music.
The product name lists weighted keys, 300 sounds, 300 rhythms, an LCD screen, USB-MIDI, speakers and a music stand.
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Electronic keyboard, 61 keys, black
The product description lists a headphone socket for private practice; check that the 61-key range suits your parts.
The product name lists a MIDI controller, recording function, speakers, metronome and music stand.
Frequently asked questions
Can I practise hymns at any time with headphones on?
Headphones let you listen privately, but that doesn’t mean you can play at any time without disturbing anyone. The Government of the Netherlands advises neighbours experiencing noise problems to talk and agree on a solution first. So it’s also worth discussing suitable times for playing music at home.
What do I need to set up the piano?
Measure the space for the piano, music rest, chair and pedal, and check what’s included with the exact version. The Dutch Kawai product page lists the HML-2 stand and F-351 triple pedal unit for the ES120 as optional. Follow the manual for your chosen model when assembling and caring for it.
What if a piano I buy online doesn’t suit my space or touch?
For eligible online purchases from a business, the Government of the Netherlands says you’ll generally have 14 days to change your mind. Check the terms before ordering and how you can return the instrument in practice. An online purchase from a private seller isn’t covered by the same distance-selling rules.
In the Netherlands, do I automatically get exactly two years of legal warranty?
No. According to the Government of the Netherlands, there’s no fixed statutory guarantee period in the Netherlands: you’re entitled to a product that works properly for as long as you can reasonably expect it to. If something goes wrong, contact the seller; an additional guarantee doesn’t replace this right.