For fully written-out piano parts played with both hands, a digital piano with 88 keys is a sensible choice. If you accompany different singers with chords, extra sounds or styles, a 61-key keyboard may be enough, provided your part fits within its range. Yamaha lists 61 keys for the PSR-E383 and 88 for the P-145. The number of keys doesn’t tell you how the action feels, so try it for yourself. For the attic, measure both the playing area and the full setup. Bear in mind that headphones let you practise without using the instrument’s speakers, but won’t silence singers rehearsing alongside you.
You play fully written-out musical parts with both hands and want to assess the range and key action of a piano-focused keyboard first. Yamaha describes the P-145 as having 88 keys; Roland also lists an 88-key keyboard for the FP-10.
You mainly accompany singing and want to choose between piano sounds, other sounds and accompaniment features. Check that the number of keys on each instrument suits the parts you play. Yamaha describes the PSR-E383 as having accompaniment styles; Korg lists transposition for the Liano.
You need to be able to set up or move the instrument around the room, and want to practise solo with headphones. Group singing rehearsals also require some consideration of noise; the Dutch Government notes that local municipal by-laws may be relevant.
Choose this if: your parts fit within its range and you accompany singers with chords, other sounds or backing.
Trade-off: more sounds or styles won’t make up for missing keys if a passage falls outside the keyboard’s range.
Choose this if: you want to play full piano parts and are looking for a piano-style action. The Yamaha P-145 and Roland FP-10 are examples with 88 keys.
Trade-off: check the space and setup you’ll need. According to Yamaha, the P-145 is 1.326 mm wide and weighs 11,1 kg.
Choose this if: full key range and portability matter to you. Korg lists the Liano as having 88 touch-sensitive keys and weighing 6,0 kg.
Trade-off: Korg specifies an LS keyboard; don’t assume it feels the same as a weighted piano keyboard. The stand is sold separately.
| What to consider | What should you look for? | Who will find this most important? |
|---|---|---|
| Key range and action | Try the lowest and highest notes in your most challenging passage. Yamaha lists 61 keys for the PSR-E383 and 88 for the P-145; try the feel of the keyboard, too. | If I want to play my full part with both hands, I first check that every note falls within the keyboard’s range. Around 31% of consumers prioritise being able to play their own piano part. |
| Flexibility for accompanying singers | Check the exact model to see whether it can transpose and which sounds and accompaniment styles are available. Yamaha lists accompaniment styles for the PSR-E383; Korg lists transposition and eight sounds for the Liano. | If I accompany different singers, I want to be able to adjust the key or sound. Around 25% of consumers prioritise this flexibility when accompanying singers. |
| Sound during solo and group rehearsals | Check whether the model has a headphone socket. Headphones let you practise solo without using the instrument’s speakers, but won’t silence singing; the Dutch Government notes that municipal by-laws may apply. | If I want to practise solo without using the speakers, but also need to consider group rehearsals, I keep those two situations separate. Around 25% of consumers prioritise managing noise. |
| Space and portability | Measure the available width and depth for the instrument, stand and chair. Yamaha lists the P-145 as 1.326 mm wide; Korg lists the Liano as 1.282 mm wide and weighing 6,0 kg. | If I share my attic space with others or want to move the instrument after playing, the complete setup needs to fit. Around 19% of consumers make positioning and portability their top priority. |
According to Yamaha, the PSR-E383 has 61 keys; extra sounds and styles don’t extend its key range. A part with notes outside that range won’t fit fully on the keyboard.
First check the lowest and highest notes in your most challenging passage, then compare the extra sounds.
Korg describes the Liano as having a touch-sensitive LS keyboard, while Yamaha specifies a GHC keyboard for the P-145. So the same number of keys doesn’t mean the keyboard action is the same.
Try the action for yourself if you want to practise piano technique.
According to Korg, the stand for the Liano is sold separately. You’ll also need to allow for a chair and enough space to play.
Measure the full playing area and check which accessories are included with each version.
A suitable stand may need to be purchased separately as part of your setup.
The PSR-E383 is a compact 61-key keyboard with accompaniment styles; the P-145 is an 88-key digital piano. Yamaha’s specifications make it easy to compare the features and range of these models.
The FP-10 is a piano-focused model with an 88-key PHA-4 Standard keyboard and built-in speakers. Roland also says it can be used with headphones.
According to Korg, the Liano combines 88 touch-sensitive keys with a listed weight of 6,0 kg. This may be useful if you plan to move the instrument regularly.
These are compact 61-key keyboards for accompanying singers and practising solo. Check that your full piano part fits within their range.
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May suit accompanying singers with different sounds or keys; its range is limited to 61 keys.
The product information lists a weighted keyboard, 300 sounds, 300 rhythms, transposition, accompaniment styles and a headphone socket.
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May suit practising with different sounds and rhythms; check that 61 keys are enough for your parts.
The product information lists a recording function, metronome, speakers, MIDI and a headphone socket.
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May suit a ready-to-use practice space; check that the included setup fits in your attic.
The product information lists 500 sounds, a three-stage learning function, speakers, a stand and a stool. The keyboard has 61 keys.
It depends on your part. Check the lowest and highest notes in your most challenging passage: Yamaha lists 61 keys for the PSR-E383 and 88 for the P-145.
Headphones can let you practise solo without using the instrument’s speakers, but they won’t silence singing or other rehearsal noise. The Dutch Government notes that municipal by-laws may apply; if noise could affect your neighbours, it’s also worth agreeing some ground rules with them.
Check whether your chosen version needs a suitable stand, a seat, a power supply, a pedal and headphones, and what’s included. Korg lists an adapter and pedal switch with the Liano, but the stand is sold separately. Don’t assume other models come with the same items.
For eligible consumer purchases made at a distance, you generally have a 14-day cooling-off period. According to the Dutch Government, this does not apply to an online purchase from a private individual. In addition, under the statutory guarantee, the seller must resolve the issue if a product used normally doesn’t do what you could reasonably expect, according to ACM ConsuWijzer.
Specific conformity rules may apply to electronic equipment sold on the EU market. According to Your Europe, CE marking is only compulsory when the applicable harmonised EU rules require it; it is not an independent test of playability or quality. Check the version and the power supply included.
