Start with the keyboard: try the soft entries, fast passages and dynamic changes from your recital piece on the piano you’re considering. Then choose between a portable instrument and a permanent set-up with a suitable stand and pedals. Check the headphone socket too, along with what’s included with the version you’ve chosen. Manufacturer descriptions can’t guarantee that a keyboard will feel the same to you as the grand piano you perform on.
If you want to practise soft entries, fast passages and dynamic changes, it’s best to judge the playing feel for yourself rather than relying on the keyboard’s name alone. Yamaha and Roland describe the keyboards used in their respective models.
If sustain or more nuanced pedal use is important for your piece, check which compatible pedals are available for the version you’ve chosen. Yamaha and Roland list different pedal options for their models.
If you share a space with others, consider whether practising with headphones, moving the piano or having a permanent set-up would work best for your rehearsals. Roland lists two headphone outputs for the FP-30X; Kawai describes the ES120 as a portable piano for studio use.
Choose this option: if you move the piano between rooms or want to put it away after rehearsals, and can plan your set-up in advance.
Bear in mind: a compact piano doesn’t automatically come with a suitable stand or pedal configuration. Yamaha lists an optional three-pedal unit for the P-225.
Choose this option: if the piano can stay in the studio and your recital piece calls for a dedicated playing space and specific pedal functions.
Bear in mind: stands and pedals vary by model. Roland lists a KSC-70 stand and options for a DP-10 damper pedal or KPD-70 three-pedal unit for the FP-30X.
First compare what your piece requires from the keyboard and pedals; then consider how the piano will be set up and used in your shared space.
| What to consider | What should you check? | Who is this important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Touch and dynamics | Try soft entries, repeated notes and fast passages on the exact model. Check whether it has 88 keys if your piece uses that range. | If I want to practise the dynamics of my recital piece, I want to try the relevant passages on the keyboard itself. Around 33% of consumers prioritise touch and dynamic control. |
| Pedal use | Check which pedal functions your piece requires, which pedals are compatible and what’s included with the version you’ve chosen. | If my piece calls for more than just sustain, I want to know in advance which pedal configuration will work with my piano. Around 27% of consumers prioritise pedal use for their chosen piece. |
| Practising in a shared space | Check the headphone socket and try the listening set-up you plan to use in the studio. | If I practise in a shared studio, I want to check whether using headphones will suit me. Around 20% of consumers prioritise quiet practice. |
| Moving and setting up | Compare the stated dimensions and weight with your transport and storage options; also measure the space for the piano, stand and pedals. | If I need to move or store the piano between rehearsals, I want to know whether it will fit my space and routine. Around 20% of consumers prioritise portability and set-up. |
The pedal options Yamaha and Roland describe for specific models don’t necessarily come included with every version.
Before buying, check what’s included in the bundle and whether the pedal is compatible with the piano you’ve chosen.
Even a compact case needs space for a stand and pedals. Yamaha also warns against using the FC35 with the P-225 on a desk, as pressure on the cable could damage it.
Measure the complete set-up and follow the instructions for your chosen pedal combination.
A manufacturer’s description of a keyboard won’t tell you which model will feel most comfortable for playing your passages.
Try the same soft entries, repeated notes and fast passages on the models you’re considering.
According to Yamaha, the P-225 is a portable digital piano with 88 GHC keys.
According to Roland, the FP-30X has an 88-key PHA-4 Standard keyboard, two headphone outputs and options for a permanent set-up.
Kawai describes the ES120 as a portable piano for settings including studios, with a Responsive Hammer Compact keyboard.
According to Casio, the Privia PX-S1100BK has 88 keys and a hammer-action keyboard.
That depends on the score and how you perform the piece. First decide which pedal functions you want to practise, then check which compatible unit suits the exact piano and set-up. An optional three-pedal unit isn’t automatically included.
Yamaha advises against this combination because placing it on a desk could put pressure on the FC35 cable and damage it. For this pedal set-up, follow Yamaha’s instructions on choosing a suitable stand.
When you buy as a consumer in the Netherlands, you’re entitled to a product that meets the required standards. According to the Dutch Government, there is no fixed statutory guarantee period in the Netherlands; if a product is faulty, contact the seller to find a solution.
For qualifying distance purchases, you generally have a 14-day cooling-off period. Check the information about the cooling-off period and the terms and conditions before ordering. According to the Dutch Government, a purchase from a private seller is not classed as a distance purchase on the same basis.
Not automatically. The ABRSM syllabus 2027–2028 applies to exams from 1 January 2027. If your piece is being assessed, check the requirements of the relevant organisation and the syllabus that applies on your exam date.
