Choose a 61-key keyboard if the notes in your part fall within its range and a narrower instrument is important; choose a portable 88-key piano if you need a wider range or weighted piano keys. Yamaha describes Duo mode and Casio duet mode as ways to split the keyboard between two players; this is not the same as playing back a recorded part. Measure the space for the instrument, stand, music rest and seat together.
You want to practise your own part and perhaps share an instrument with a partner, but you can’t keep a permanent piano set up. Distinguish between sharing a keyboard and playing back a second part. Yamaha and Casio describe functions that split the keyboard.
Your sheet music may require a wider range, and you want to practise on weighted keys while keeping the instrument portable. Yamaha and Casio list portable 88-key models.
You may want to practise with a suitable wired pair of headphones while making sure there’s enough room for both the instrument and the player. Yamaha lists a PHONES/OUTPUT socket for the PSR-E383; Roland mentions headphone use with the FP-10.
First decide whether you’ll play together on one keyboard or simply practise along with a played-back part. Then compare the range you need and the space required for the complete setup.
| What to consider | What should you check? | Who is this important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Duet setup | Decide whether you’ll play together or want to hear another part played back; check recording and playback functions separately. | If I want to practise with someone else on one instrument, the keyboard layout needs to suit that setup. Around 34% of consumers prioritise the duet setup. |
| Space and setup | Measure the available width and depth, including the stand, music rest and seating space. | If space is limited, I want to know whether the entire playing setup will fit, not just the instrument itself. Around 33% of consumers prioritise placement and ease of storage. |
| Key range and touch | Compare the lowest and highest notes in your part with the keyboard’s range; also check which type of key action you’re looking for. | If my sheet music calls for a wider range or I want to practise on weighted keys, I need to choose keys to suit. Around 20% of consumers prioritise range or key feel. |
| Practising with headphones | Check the number and type of headphone sockets on the exact model. | If I want to practise without sound from the speakers, the socket needs to work with my headphones and setup. Around 13% of consumers prioritise headphone practice. |
Splitting a keyboard between two players is different from recording and playing back a duet part. Yamaha and Casio describe duet or Duo functions for playing together.
Decide in advance whether you’ll play with someone else or practise along with a recording. For the latter, check the recording and playback functions of the exact model.
The instrument, music rest, stand and seating space all need room. Casio gives a body depth of 232 mm for the CDP-S360BK; this measurement doesn’t show how much space the complete setup requires.
Measure the space for your entire planned setup, and leave enough room to sit and play.
Yamaha specifies organ-style touch-sensitive keys for the PSR-E383 and a GHC keyboard for the P-145. These have different types of key action.
Choose based on your part and the piano technique you want to practise; don’t base your decision on the term ‘touch-sensitive’ alone.
The PSR-E383 is a 61-key option, while the P-145 is a portable 88-key piano.
The CDP-S360BK is an 88-key digital piano with a duet mode.
The FP-10 is a portable 88-key piano with Twin Piano mode.
This selection features 61-key keyboards for practising parts that fit within that range.
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An option to consider if the notes in your part fit within a 61-key range.
The product title lists 61 keys, a recording function, speakers, a metronome, a music stand and a MIDI controller. Check whether the model can also play back the recordings you want, and whether its connections suit your practice plans.
Not based on the mode name alone. Duet or Duo mode splits the keyboard for playing together. If you want to practise without a second player, check separately whether the exact model can record and play back parts.
Measure the available width and depth, as well as the space needed for the music rest and seating. Yamaha also gives a different depth measurement for the P-145 when the music rest or optional stand is included; check which measurement applies to your setup.
Check whether the stand, adapter, pedal and headphones you need are included in the specific offer. According to the Rijksoverheid, in many cases you have a 14-day cooling-off period when buying online. ACM ConsuWijzer explains that statutory rights apply alongside any commercial guarantee if a product, under normal use, doesn’t do what you could reasonably expect of it.
