Practiser with limited storage space
You want to practise hymns at home and then clear the floor again. Compare the keyboard range and the dimensions of the complete set-up. Yamaha lists the P-145 as 1,326 mm wide and 268 mm deep.
Who is this suitable for?
Pianist accompanying hymns
You practise parts with both hands and want to know whether you need 88 keys and a weighted touch. The Yamaha P-145 and Casio CDP-S110BK are examples of digital pianos with 88 keys and a weighted keyboard.
Practiser in a shared space
You want to practise independently without others having to hear the built-in speakers. Check the connection on the exact model; Casio lists a PHONES/OUTPUT connection for the CDP-S110BK.
What should you look for when choosing?
Start with the space available for your complete practice set-up and the notes you play yourself. Then choose the touch you want and decide how you or any fellow singers will hear the accompaniment.
| What to consider | What to look for when buying | Who is this important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Positioning and storage | Measure the available width and depth, and allow for the stand, seat and sheet music. | If I want to clear the floor after practising, the complete set-up needs to fit too. Around 36% of consumers prioritise positioning and storage. |
| Keyboard range and touch | Compare the highest and lowest notes in your parts with the keyboard range; check whether the keyboard is touch-sensitive or weighted. | If I play piano parts with both hands, I want enough range and a touch that suits my practice goals. Around 29% of consumers prioritise range and touch. |
| Listening while practising | Check the headphone or audio output, and consider how fellow singers will hear the accompaniment. | If I practise alone in a shared space, I want to know in advance how I can listen without disturbing others. Around 21% of consumers prioritise practising independently. |
| Accompaniment features | Decide whether you’ll use automatic accompaniment, and check that the keys are touch-sensitive if you want to practise dynamics. | If I want to learn the melody and chords with automatic accompaniment, I’m looking for a model with that feature. Around 14% of consumers prioritise accompaniment options. |
Avoiding common buying mistakes
Assuming a slim 88-key piano is a narrow instrument
A shallow case doesn’t tell you whether the full width and practice set-up will fit in your space.
Measure the usable width and depth before choosing an instrument or stand.
Confusing touch-sensitive keys with weighted hammer action
A 61-key keyboard and a digital piano with weighted keys are designed for different practice goals. An instrument with 88 keys and a light touch doesn’t automatically have weighted hammer action either.
Check the action type of the exact model if a piano-like touch is important to you.
Choosing a headphone set-up for a rehearsal with singers
Listening on headphones yourself doesn’t tell you how fellow singers will hear the accompaniment.
Decide in advance who needs to listen, and check the connections on the exact model.
Brands to consider
Yamaha
Yamaha offers both a touch-sensitive 61-key keyboard and portable digital pianos with 88 weighted keys.
- The PSR-E383 combines touch-sensitive keys with automatic accompaniment styles.
- A touch-sensitive keyboard is not the same as a weighted piano keyboard; the P-145 also needs enough room to accommodate its dimensions.
Casio
The CDP-S110BK is a digital piano with a scaled hammer-action keyboard.
- Casio lists a case depth of 232 mm, a PHONES/OUTPUT connection and an SP-3 pedal included.
- A shallow depth doesn’t guarantee that the piano and complete set-up will fit in the available space.
Roland
The GO:PIANO88 GO-88PX is an option if you’re looking for 88 touch-sensitive keys and an instrument you can move around.
- According to the Roland manual, the instrument weighs 5.8 kg without the adapter and music rest.
- The cited specification doesn’t confirm a weighted hammer-action mechanism; optional pedals are listed separately.
Joybuy products
This selection focuses on a portable electronic 61-key instrument for hymns whose parts fall within that range, with a headphone connection for practising independently.
No image availableMLS-931 digital piano, 61 keys, black
The 61 keys are suitable for practising if your hymn parts fall within that range; the portable design is ideal for an instrument you want to move around.
The keyboard is described as weighted and touch-sensitive. The product information also lists 300 sounds, 300 rhythms, a headphone connection, speakers, an LCD display, USB-MIDI and a music rest.
Frequently asked questions
Do you need 88 keys for every hymn?
No, it depends on the range of the parts you play yourself. Check the highest and lowest notes, and consider the type of touch you want too; the number of keys doesn’t tell you whether the keyboard is weighted.
What should you check before setting up the instrument?
Allow space for the stand, chair and sheet music too. If you’re practising independently, check the headphone connection and consider how fellow singers will hear the accompaniment.
Who can help if a keyboard bought in the Netherlands turns out to be faulty?
According to the Dutch government, the seller—not the manufacturer—must provide a solution if a product is faulty. There is no fixed statutory guarantee period for all products in the Netherlands; what you can expect depends, among other things, on the product and the sales information.
Do I have a cooling-off period when buying online?
According to the Dutch government, a 14-day cooling-off period applies in many cases to distance purchases. This doesn’t apply in the same way to an online purchase from a private seller; check the seller’s information for the terms that apply to your purchase.