Student who plays bass parts themselves
You want to play left-hand patterns and chord changes yourself, and need to check that the keyboard range suits your sheet music. Yamaha and Roland specify digital piano models with 88 keys.
Which option is right for you?
Student who plays along with styles
You practise timing and chord changes while the instrument provides a rhythm or accompaniment. Yamaha, Casio and Korg describe features for rhythms, styles or practising with built-in songs.
Student practising in a shared room
You want to fit the instrument into the available space and practise with suitable headphones. Yamaha and Roland describe models that support headphone use.
What should you look for when choosing?
61-key keyboard with accompaniment
Best for: practising with chord-controlled styles or rhythms.
Bear in mind: automatic accompaniment plays parts for you, but it doesn’t replace practising a written left-hand part yourself.
Keyboard with a wider range
Best for: combining automatic accompaniment with more keys than a 61-key model offers.
Bear in mind: a wider range doesn’t automatically mean the keys have the same feel as those on a digital piano.
Digital piano with 88 weighted keys
Best for: playing piano-style left-hand parts yourself when you need the full piano range.
Bear in mind: the models reviewed take up more width than compact accompaniment keyboards.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who is this important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Playing the left hand yourself | Compare the notes in both hand parts with the keyboard range, and decide whether you need weighted keys. | If I want to learn the part myself, I check that the range and key feel suit my music. Around 33% of consumers prioritise playing the left-hand part themselves. |
| Automatic accompaniment | Check whether you want to practise with styles or rhythms, or without automatic accompaniment. | If I want to practise timing and chord changes while the instrument plays along, I look at the accompaniment features. Around 27% of consumers prioritise automatic accompaniment. |
| Practising with headphones | Check that the model has a suitable headphone connection and what’s included in the offer. | In a shared practice room, I want to listen through suitable headphones rather than relying on the speakers. Around 20% of consumers prioritise this use. |
| Space and setup | Measure the space available and check which accessories and power supply are included with the model. | If I need to fit the instrument into a small practice or storage space, I check its dimensions and setup. Around 20% of consumers prioritise the space available. |
Avoid common buying mistakes
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Assuming lots of styles mean you can play the left-hand part
A style can play accompaniment parts automatically, even if what you want is to learn to play the part yourself.
Practise the part without a style too, and take your course requirements into account when choosing.
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Treating instruments with 61, 76 or 88 keys as interchangeable
The keyboard range varies, as does the key feel. For example, Yamaha specifies 76 organ-style keys for the PSR-EW320 and an 88-key GHC keyboard for the P-145.
Compare your sheet music with the keyboard range and decide separately what kind of key feel you need.
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Assuming accessories are included in the offer
What’s included can vary by model and offer. Korg lists a pedal for the EK-50 as a separately sold accessory.
Check what’s included in the specific offer and whether it suits your practice setup.
You may need to buy a pedal separately to complete your setup.
Brands worth considering
Yamaha
The models listed cover both the accompaniment option and the 88-key option for piano-style playing.
- Yamaha specifies 61 touch-sensitive keys and 260 styles for the PSR-E383; the PSR-EW320 has 76 touch-sensitive organ-style keys and a headphone connection.
- The P-145 has a different keyboard purpose from the accompaniment models. These examples don’t represent every Yamaha instrument.
Casio
The CT-S400 is worth considering for practising with rhythms and built-in songs.
- Casio lists 200 rhythm patterns and the option to select the left- or right-hand part separately for built-in songs.
- This feature doesn’t mean you can mute your own recorded left-hand part in the same way.
Korg
The EK-50 is an accompaniment keyboard for anyone looking at chord-controlled styles and adjustable accompaniment parts.
- Korg lists more than 280 styles, 61 touch-sensitive keys and a 3.5 mm headphone output.
- Korg lists a pedal as a separately sold accessory. Also check whether 61 keys give you enough range for your part.
Roland
The FP-10 represents the option for piano-style parts that you play yourself across 88 keys.
- Roland lists an 88-key PHA-4 keyboard and headphone support.
- Twin Piano mode is designed for two players; it isn’t chord-controlled automatic accompaniment. Roland’s statements about the playing experience are manufacturer claims.
Joybuy product selection
This selection features a 61-key keyboard with rhythms, designed for practising with accompaniment features.
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MLS-931 keyboard, 61 keys
The listed rhythms and headphone connection make it suitable for practising with accompaniment and listening privately. Check that 61 keys are enough for your left-hand part.
Specifications: weighted keys, 300 rhythms and a headphone connection.
Check the specific offer for the items included and any relevant product information available.
Frequently asked questions
Is automatic accompaniment the same as practising my left-hand part?
No. With styles, the accompaniment responds to the chords you play. Practise a written left-hand part without the accompaniment playing along too. Casio also lists part selection for built-in songs on the CT-S400; that’s a different feature.
What should I consider when setting up in a shared music room?
First measure the space available, then check the headphone connection and the items included with the model you’ve chosen. Korg specifies a 3.5 mm headphone output and an included adapter for the EK-50, but lists the pedal as a separate accessory.
What are my rights when buying online in the Netherlands?
For eligible distance purchases, you generally have a 14-day cooling-off period, according to the Dutch government. There’s no fixed period for the legal guarantee in the Netherlands: the product must meet what you can reasonably expect from it. If something is wrong, contact the seller.
Should I check for a CE mark on an electronic keyboard?
A CE mark is required when the applicable EU rules require one for the product. According to Your Europe, the manufacturer must assess which requirements apply to the product and, where relevant, the items supplied with it. A CE statement alone doesn’t confirm that a specific offer meets those requirements.