Piano student working on technique
You’re practising broken chords for piano lessons and want to check that the keyboard’s range and touch are suitable for your music.
Who is this guide for?
Player in a shared practice room
You want to practise while other people are using the room, so you’re looking for the option to connect headphones.
Student who needs to move their instrument
You take your instrument with you or put it away after use, and need to weigh up the range you need against its size, weight and power supply.
What should you look for when choosing?
Digital piano with 88 weighted keys
Choose this option: if your music requires a wide range and you want to practise with the feel of a piano keyboard.
Bear in mind: the space and power supply you’ll need, as well as the pedal setup on the version you choose.
Touch-sensitive keyboard with 61 keys
Choose this option: if your exercises fit within its range and portability or flexible use matters to you. Yamaha lists these features for the PSR-E383.
Bear in mind: check that all the notes in your exercise fit on the keyboard; accompaniment features are no substitute for playing the notes yourself.
Keyboard with 76 keys
Choose this option: if 61 keys limit your practice range but you don’t need an 88-key keyboard. Casio lists 76 keys for the CT-S1-76.
Bear in mind: the number of keys doesn’t tell you whether they’re weighted, so check the key action separately.
| What to consider | What should you check? | Who is this important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Key range and piano technique | Compare the lowest and highest notes in your exercises with the keyboard’s range. Also check the key action if it matters for your technique lessons. | If I’m practising music where range and piano technique matter, I want to know that all the notes will fit. Around 33% of consumers prioritise a suitable range and key action. |
| Practising in a shared room | Check that the exact version has a headphone socket and that your plug will fit. Also ask about the room’s rules for use. | When other people are using the room, I want to listen through headphones; around 27% of consumers prioritise private listening. |
| Moving and storing the instrument | Measure the space available for playing and storage, and check the model’s dimensions, weight and power supply. | If I need to move or store the instrument after using it, its size and power supply matter to me. Around 20% of consumers prioritise portability and storage. |
| Independent practice and accessories | Decide which practice features your exercises require, and check which pedal is included or available separately. | I want to know in advance which features and accessories I’ll need for my practice setup. Around 20% of consumers prioritise a complete setup and practice features. |
Common buying mistakes
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Assuming all digital pianos are the same for practice
Models in this category can have different key ranges. An exercise won’t necessarily fit on every keyboard.
Check the number of keys and compare the range with the notes in your exercise.
If your exercise falls outside the range, you may need an instrument with more keys.
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Assuming the pedal you need is included
The pedal setup varies between the piano models we looked at: a pedal may be included, optional or part of a separate unit.
Check what’s in the box, the connection and the type of pedal your exercise requires.
You may need to buy a pedal or pedal unit separately to get the function you want.
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Confusing a computer keyboard with a musical instrument
The word ‘keyboard’ can also mean a computer keyboard; a similar product name doesn’t prove that it’s the same type of product.
Check the full model name and the musical instrument specifications on the product page.
Brands to consider
Yamaha
The P-145 and PSR-E383 are two different options: a digital piano with 88 keys and a touch-sensitive keyboard with 61 keys.
- Yamaha lists 88 keys for the P-145, and touch sensitivity, battery power and accompaniment features for the PSR-E383.
- These features belong to different models; don’t attribute the features of one model to the other.
Roland
According to Roland, the FP-10 is a digital piano with 88 keys, a headphone option and a metronome.
- Roland lists the PHA-4 Standard keyboard and a metronome.
- The DP-10 pedal is optional, so check separately which pedal setup you need.
Korg
The B2+ is a digital piano with 88 keys and a headphone socket.
- Korg lists an included damper pedal, USB-C and a weight of 11,4 kg without the music stand.
- The optional pedal unit for half-pedalling is a different setup from the included damper pedal.
Casio
The CT-S1-76 is a 76-key keyboard for anyone looking for a wider range than a 61-key model offers.
- Casio lists 76 keys for the CT-S1-76.
- The number of keys alone doesn’t tell you whether the keyboard offers the same feel as a weighted piano keyboard.
Joybuy products
These Joybuy products have 61 keys and are best suited to exercises that fit within that range. For piano technique, also check the keyboard type and that all the notes you need are available.
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Electronic keyboard, 61 keys, black
Worth considering if your broken-chord exercises fit within the range of 61 keys.
The product title lists a metronome; the description mentions a recording function and headphone socket. With 61 keys, its range is more limited than that of an 88-key piano.
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MLS-931 digital piano, 61 keys, black
Worth considering if your exercises fit within 61 keys and you want to take the listed key action into account.
The product title lists a weighted keyboard; the description mentions touch sensitivity, a metronome, USB-MIDI and a headphone socket. Its range is more limited than that of an 88-key piano.
Frequently asked questions
Do you need automatic arpeggios to practise broken chords?
No. Choose this feature only if your exercise calls for accompaniment or a demonstration. Yamaha lists arpeggio types for the PSR-E383; that’s different from playing the prescribed notes yourself.
What should I check before setting up the instrument in the practice room?
Measure the space available and check the power supply, stability, headphone plug and any pedal. Also follow your institution’s rules for using the room: headphones won’t silence the physical sound of the keys.
Does a portable digital piano always come with a sustain pedal?
No, check the exact version and what’s included in the box. Korg lists an included damper pedal and a separately available pedal unit for the B2+; Yamaha lists an optional three-pedal unit for the P-145.
What are my rights if an instrument I bought online isn’t suitable or is faulty?
For a consumer purchase in the Netherlands, the product must be fit for purpose and the retailer is your point of contact if there’s a problem; the Dutch government says there’s no fixed statutory warranty period. For online purchases from a business, you’ll generally have 14 days to change your mind, subject to applicable conditions and exceptions.
Does a CE logo on a product page prove that an electric keyboard meets the requirements?
No, a statement on a product page alone doesn’t prove that a specific item meets the requirements. According to Business.gov.nl, relevant European safety rules apply to electrical and electronic equipment; where CE marking is required, the manufacturer must also draw up an EU declaration of conformity.