Student practising piano voicings
You practise chord shapes and smooth voice leading with both hands, and want to judge how the keyboard responds for yourself. Berklee Online describes smooth connections between chord tones as part of voicings.
Who is this choice relevant to?
Student in a shared practice room
You want to be considerate of others and practise with headphones, or listen along with a teacher. Roland lists two headphone outputs on the FP-30X, while Kawai lists two sockets on the ES120.
Student who practises in different places
You need to account for limited space or moving the instrument. Casio lists a cabinet depth of 232 mm for the CDP-S110; Kawai gives the ES120’s weight as 12,5 kg.
What should you look for?
In a shared music room, key action, quiet practice, available space and extra features can all play a different part. Compare the points below with your own practice needs.
| What to consider | What should you check? | Who should pay particular attention? |
|---|---|---|
| Key action and range | Play the same soft and firm chord changes, and check that the range suits your pieces. | If you practise two-handed voicings and smooth transitions, you’ll want to judge the key action for yourself. Around 36% of consumers prioritise key action and range. |
| Quiet practice and listening together | Check the number of headphone sockets, the connectors and the room’s rules. | If you share a room or want to listen along with a teacher, headphone use matters. Around 29% of consumers prioritise quiet practice. |
| Space and moving the piano | Measure the space for both the instrument and the player; compare the full dimensions and weight. | If the piano needs to fit in a limited space or will be moved regularly, you’ll want to know whether the complete set-up will fit. Around 21% of consumers prioritise available space. |
| Sounds, connections and pedal | Try the sounds you want and check what the connections do, whether the pedal is compatible and which accessories are included. | If you need sounds beyond piano tones or particular connections, you’ll want to know which features your lessons will actually use. Around 14% of consumers prioritise sound choice and connectivity. |
Pitfalls to avoid
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Assuming a weighted keyboard means the action will suit you
Manufacturers describe different keyboard actions, but those specifications can’t tell you exactly how chord changes will feel under your fingers.
Try your own voicings on the exact model and pay attention to soft playing, repeated notes and transitions.
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Measuring only the piano cabinet
An instrument might fit on a piece of furniture, while leaving too little room for the player, music rest or pedal.
Measure the seating and pedal space too, and check which parts are included with the version you’re considering.
You may need to buy a suitable stand, music rest or pedal separately, so check the details for each version.
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Assuming USB, Bluetooth, MIDI and audio are interchangeable
A connection on the instrument doesn’t automatically confirm that it supports the recording, playback or MIDI feature you want.
Decide whether you need performance data, recorded sound or audio to play along with, then check what the connection does on the exact model.
Brands to consider
Yamaha
The P-145BT is a portable, piano-focused option to compare if you’re looking for a compact instrument with a weighted keyboard.
- Yamaha lists 88 GHC keys for the P-145BT.
- The LP-5A three-pedal unit is optional. The specification alone won’t tell you how the keyboard feels to play.
Roland
The FP-30X is a portable, piano-focused option to compare if key action and quiet practice matter to you.
- Roland lists 88 PHA-4 Standard keys and two headphone outputs.
- Check whether the KPD-70 or DP-10 pedal option is included with the version you’re considering, or needs to be bought separately.
Casio
The slim CDP-S110 is worth comparing if the depth of your available space is a key consideration.
- Casio lists a cabinet depth of 232 mm, electric piano sounds, a headphone/output socket and an included SP-3 pedal.
- Consider the full set-up: cabinet depth isn’t the same as the space needed for the instrument, seating and pedal.
Kawai
The portable ES120 is a useful model to compare if you’ll be sharing headphone use or practising in different places.
- Kawai lists two headphone sockets, separate stereo outputs and a weight of 12,5 kg.
- The versions available may vary by market, so check the version you’re considering.
Korg
The B2+ is an option to explore if connections and a complete piano set-up are important to you.
- The Netherlands-specific specifications list 88 NH keys, USB-C, a headphone/line output and an included damper pedal.
- The PU-2 half-pedal unit is sold separately. Check exactly what the connection does for the way you plan to use it.
Joybuy products
These digital pianos from Joybuy have 61 keys. Check whether that range is enough for the two-handed voicings you want to practise.
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MLS-931 digital piano, 61 keys, black
The 61 weighted, touch-sensitive keys and headphone socket are suited to practising with headphones, if the limited range is enough for your pieces.
The product information lists USB-MIDI, 300 sounds, 300 rhythms, an LCD screen, built-in speakers and a music rest.
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Digital keyboard piano, 61 keys, black
The 61 keys and headphone socket are worth considering if you want to use headphones and the range suits the pieces you practise.
The product information lists USB-MIDI, a recording function, 500 sounds, built-in speakers and a music rest.
Frequently asked questions
How do you assess a keyboard for jazz voicings?
Play the same chord shapes and transitions on the instruments you’re considering. Berklee Online describes chord tones and smooth voice leading as parts of voicings; the listed keyboard action won’t replace your own assessment of how it feels to play.
What should you check when setting up and using a piano every day in a music room?
Measure the space, including room for seating and a music rest, check that the stand is stable and ask about local rules for volume, storage and power sockets. Use the adapter and voltage specified for the exact instrument; Kawai highlights this in the ES120 manual.
Is practising with headphones always safe?
No. Keep an eye on both the volume and how long you listen for. The World Health Organization advises, among other things, keeping the volume below 60% of the maximum when listening personally; this isn’t a guarantee for every piano and headphone combination.
What costs and warranty terms should you pay attention to?
Before buying, check whether the stand, headphones and pedal you want are included with the version you’re considering; the LP-5A three-pedal unit is optional for the Yamaha P-145BT. For a consumer purchase in the Netherlands, you’re entitled to a legal guarantee if the product doesn’t perform as you could reasonably expect under normal use. There’s no fixed guarantee period of exactly two years, according to ACM ConsuWijzer.
What rules apply to selling and disposing of products in the Netherlands?
CE marking is only required when specific harmonised EU rules say it is, and it isn’t a general quality mark. According to the Dutch government, when buying a new, similar type of appliance, a private individual can return an old electrical appliance to the retailer free of charge under the ‘old for new’ scheme, including for an online purchase.