If you want to practise your technique
If you want to play arpeggios evenly yourself and hear the differences in touch, look for touch sensitivity and tempo control. Yamaha and Korg list these practice features on specific models.
Which keyboard is right for you?
If you need a wider playing range
Compare the lowest and highest notes in your exercises, including any left-hand part, with the number of keys. Yamaha lists models with 61 and 76 keys; Korg specifies 88 keys for the Liano.
If you share a rehearsal space
If you need to move the instrument or avoid disturbing others, also check its dimensions, weight and headphone connection. Casio, Korg and Yamaha list these details for specific models.
What should you look for?
Compact 61-key keyboard
Choose this if: your exercises fit within 61 keys and you want to play independently. Yamaha lists touch sensitivity and practice features for the PSR-E383; Casio specifies touch response for the CT-S300.
Bear in mind: check that the highest and lowest notes in your patterns fit; an arpeggiator is no substitute for practising them yourself.
Wider keyboard
Choose this if: your exercises or left-hand part extend beyond 61 keys. Yamaha specifies 76 keys for the PSR-EW320, while Korg lists 88 touch-sensitive keys for the Liano.
Bear in mind: a wider instrument needs more space; Korg lists no automatic accompaniment for the Liano.
Practising with accompaniment
Choose this if: you want to try out ideas with accompaniment as well as playing arpeggios yourself. Roland describes chord progressions and automatic accompaniment for the GO:KEYS 3; Yamaha lists an arpeggio function and accompaniment styles for the PSR-E483.
Bear in mind: both models mentioned have 61 keys; automatically generated patterns will not, on their own, help you practise your touch or fingering.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who is this important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Touch and timing | Check the touch sensitivity and whether the model has a metronome; try the controls with the patterns you practise. | If I want to assess my own touch and timing, I prioritise these practice features. Around 33% of consumers put practising their own technique first. |
| Key range | Note the lowest and highest notes in a few exercises, including any left-hand part, and compare them with the keyboard’s range. | If my patterns cover a wider range, I want to make sure both hands can reach the notes I need. Around 27% of consumers put key range first. |
| Listening in the studio | Check the type of headphone or audio output and whether it works with your headphones or studio equipment. | If I want to listen on my own without filling the rehearsal space with unnecessary instrument noise, I check the listening connection. Around 20% of consumers prioritise this as their main requirement. |
| Moving and setting up | Measure the available space and check the dimensions, weight, power supply and which accessories are included with the version you’re buying. | If I need to move the keyboard or share the space, I want to know in advance whether it will be practical to set up. Around 20% of consumers put portability first. |
Common buying mistakes
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Confusing an arpeggiator with practising for yourself
An arpeggiator generates patterns, while touch sensitivity and tempo control matter when you want to practise your own playing.
Play the patterns you plan to practise yourself, then check the touch response, metronome and any automatic patterns separately.
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Comparing only the number of keys
Key range and dimensions vary by model. Korg lists 88 keys and a width of 1,282 mm for the Liano.
Compare the range of your exercises with the model specifications, then measure the space available in the studio.
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Assuming every connection or accessory is included
Outputs and included items vary by version. Korg states that the stand for the Liano is sold separately.
Check the connections and what’s included with the exact version against your headphones, studio equipment and setup.
Depending on your setup, you may also need a suitable cable, adaptor or stand.
Brands to compare
Yamaha
The PSR range offers different options for key range and controls.
- Yamaha lists touch sensitivity and practice features for the PSR-E383. The PSR-EW320 has 76 keys, while the PSR-E483 has 61 keys and an arpeggio function.
- The PSR-E483 does not offer the wider range of a 76- or 88-key model.
Casio
The CT-S300 is a compact option if touch response and portability matter to you.
- Casio lists touch response, dimensions of 930 × 256 × 73 mm and a weight of 3.3 kg for the CT-S300.
- Check whether 61 keys are enough for your exercises and which connections are included with the version on offer.
Korg
The Liano is an 88-key digital piano for anyone looking for a wider piano range.
- Korg specifies touch-sensitive keys, a metronome, eight sounds and a combined headphone/line output.
- The keyboard is wider than the 61- and 76-key models mentioned; Korg states that the stand is sold separately.
Roland
The GO:KEYS 3 is an option for trying out ideas with chord progressions and accompaniment.
- Roland describes chord progressions and automatic accompaniment for this 61-key model.
- The available information for this version lists a headphone output; check that the key range and connections suit your needs.
Joybuy products
This selection focuses on compact 61-key instruments for practising on your own; check that the range suits the arpeggios you play.
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MLS-931 digital piano, 61 keys
The product description mentions touch-sensitive keys and a metronome for practising on your own; check that 61 keys cover the range of your exercises.
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Electronic keyboard, 61 keys, black
The product description mentions a metronome and headphone socket; check that the connection works with your studio equipment and that the key range is sufficient.
Frequently asked questions
Do you need a built-in arpeggiator to play arpeggios yourself?
No, not if you want to practise your own fingering, touch and timing. Start by checking the keyboard and tempo control; an arpeggiator generates patterns, which is different from playing them yourself.
What should you check before connecting the keyboard in the studio?
Compare the output and plug on your chosen model with your headphones or studio equipment. Yamaha lists a standard stereo PHONES/OUTPUT connection for the PSR-EW320, while Korg lists a combined headphone/line output for the Liano. Don’t assume every model has the same connection.
How can you make your practice sessions practical and consistent?
Choose a sound and stick with it. If your model has a metronome, use it while you practise. Yamaha lists a metronome for the PSR-EW320 and Korg for the Liano; try your own exercises to see whether the controls suit you.
Do you have a cooling-off period when buying a keyboard online?
For many distance purchases made online from a business, the Dutch government (Rijksoverheid) states that you have 14 days to change your mind. There are exceptions; according to the Rijksoverheid, an online purchase from a private seller is not covered by these distance-selling rules.