Piano exam candidate
You’re practising piano pieces and want the keyboard, range and pedal to meet your exam requirements. ABRSM sets out the conditions for using a digital piano in its Piano Practical Grades syllabus.
Who is this guide for?
Keyboard exam candidate
You’re preparing repertoire and instrument-specific skills, and checking which sounds and accompaniment features your pieces require. Trinity College London sets out technical exercises for electronic keyboards in its syllabus.
Practising in a shared home
You practise regularly in a shared home and need to consider headphone use, how much noise the keys make and how much space you’ll need. The Dutch government recommends agreeing on noise, including music.
What should you look for?
Portable digital piano with weighted keys
Choose this option if: you’re preparing for a piano exam and the relevant syllabus requires a piano-style touch, a suitable range and pedal technique.
Bear in mind: a portable 88-key model needs more width than a compact keyboard. Also check whether the required pedal is included.
Electronic keyboard with accompaniment features
Choose this option if: you’re taking an electronic keyboard exam and its features suit the pieces and exercises in your syllabus.
Bear in mind: rhythms and automatic accompaniment don’t automatically make a keyboard suitable for a piano exam that requires a weighted piano keyboard and a suitable range.
| Buying concern | What should you check? | Who should pay particular attention? |
|---|---|---|
| Keyboard and pedal for a piano exam | Check the syllabus, keyboard type, range and pedal setup. ABRSM Piano 2025–2026 sets requirements for things such as sound, full-size touch-sensitive weighted keys, range and a sustain pedal. | If I’m preparing for a piano exam, I want my instrument to suit the pieces and exam requirements. Around 36% of consumers prioritise a suitable keyboard and pedal. |
| Practising in a shared home | Check the headphone connection on the exact model and think about where you’ll practise. Headphones won’t necessarily make key or pedal noise inaudible; the Dutch government recommends agreeing on noise from music. | When I live with housemates, I want a listening and practice setup that works for everyone. Around 29% of consumers prioritise quieter practice above all else. |
| Features for a keyboard exam | Compare your syllabus and pieces with the available sounds, controls and keyboard range. Trinity College London sets out instrument-specific keyboard exercises; Casio lists 200 rhythm patterns for the CT-S400. | For my keyboard exam, I want to practise the features my repertoire calls for. Around 21% of consumers put exam-specific features first. |
| Space and a complete setup | Measure the space for the instrument and your seating position, and check what’s included in the bundle. Yamaha lists the P-145 as 1.326 mm wide; additional pedal and stand accessories may be sold separately. | If space is limited at home, I want to know in advance whether the instrument and necessary accessories will fit my setup. Around 14% of consumers make space and a complete setup their top priority. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming a keyboard and digital piano are interchangeable
Accompaniment patterns may suit keyboard repertoire, but that doesn’t automatically mean the instrument meets the requirements for a piano exam.
Check the exam subject, grade and current syllabus against the specifications before comparing models.
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Assuming all pedals are the same
Additional pedal setups are optional for some portable models. So an included pedal may not be the type you need for your pieces.
Compare what’s included in the exact bundle with the pedal requirements of your repertoire.
You may need to buy a suitable pedal unit or stand separately.
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Assuming headphones make your practice completely silent
Headphones let you listen to the electronic sound privately, but they don’t tell you how much mechanical key or pedal noise your housemates will hear.
Try out your planned setup if you can, and agree on practice times.
Brands to consider
Yamaha
The P-145 is a portable, piano-focused option if you’re looking for an 88-key instrument.
- Yamaha lists the P-145 as having 88 GHC keys and a width of 1.326 mm.
- The three-pedal unit is optional. Check which pedal setup is included with the model on offer; the specifications aren’t an independent playing test.
Roland
The FP-30X is a portable digital piano for piano-focused practice, including with headphones.
- Roland lists a PHA-4 Standard keyboard with 88 keys and two headphone outputs.
- Decide for yourself whether the touch suits your pieces, and check which accessories are included in the bundle. Roland’s description of the playing experience is a brand claim.
Kawai
Kawai says the ES120 combines a portable piano keyboard with two headphone sockets.
- Kawai lists a Responsive Hammer Compact keyboard and two headphone sockets.
- The stand and three-pedal accessories are sold separately, so check what’s included with your model. Kawai’s description of the playing experience isn’t an independent assessment.
Casio
Consider the CT-S400 if your exam and pieces call for keyboard features.
- Casio lists 200 rhythm patterns and automatic accompaniment.
- These features don’t prove that the model is suitable for a piano exam. Check the syllabus, keyboard and connections on the version sold in the Netherlands.
Korg
The B2 is a piano-focused alternative with a weighted keyboard.
- Korg lists the B2 as having 88 NH keys, a damper pedal and a combined headphone/line output.
- These specifications come from Korg’s US product page. Don’t assume they show which accessories or version are available in the Netherlands.
Joybuy picks for keyboard practice
These products are aimed at practice with electronic keyboards and rhythm features. For a piano exam, always check first that the keyboard meets the requirements of the relevant syllabus.
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MLS-931 digital keyboard instrument, 61 keys
May suit keyboard practice if its features match your pieces. The 61-key specification is an important point to check if you’re preparing for a piano exam.
The product name lists weighted keys, 300 sounds, 300 rhythms, an LCD screen, USB-MIDI, speakers, a headphone socket and a music stand. For ABRSM Piano 2025–2026, 61 keys don’t meet the syllabus requirement for a range similar to that of a conventional acoustic piano.
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Electronic keyboard with MIDI controller, 61 keys
May suit keyboard practice if the controls and features match your repertoire. For a piano exam, check the keyboard and range requirements separately.
The product name lists a recording function, speakers, a metronome and a music stand. At 61 keys, the stated range doesn’t meet the ABRSM Piano 2025–2026 syllabus requirement for a range similar to that of a conventional acoustic piano.
Frequently asked questions
Can I practise for a piano exam on any electronic keyboard?
No. First check the syllabus for your exam board and grade. ABRSM Piano 2025–2026 has requirements for things such as a piano-like sound, full-size touch-sensitive weighted keys, a suitable range and a sustain pedal. ABRSM says the 2027–2028 repertoire lists take effect on 1 January 2027, and pieces from the 2025–2026 syllabus can still be performed up to and including 31 December 2027.
Is practising with headphones completely silent for housemates?
No. Don’t assume the keys or pedals will be inaudible. Headphones let you listen to the electronic sound privately, but they don’t affect the mechanical noise from the setup. The Dutch government recommends agreeing on noise from music.
What are my rights when I buy a piano or keyboard online in the Netherlands?
For an online purchase covered by consumer sales rules, you’ll usually have a 14-day cooling-off period from the day after delivery; ACM ConsuWijzer also explains the exceptions. The product must also meet the standard you’re entitled to expect. If there’s a fault, the retailer is responsible for statutory guarantees; a manufacturer’s warranty doesn’t replace this right.