Piano player practising
You practise scales, dynamics or passages for which range and a weighted action matter. Compare the keyboard first, then work out how much space you’ll need to set it up.
Who are these instruments suitable for?
Player who puts their instrument away after each session
Your exercises fit on a shorter keyboard and you want to be able to put the instrument away after use. Check the dimensions and weight of the exact model.
Player in a shared room
You want to practise without using the speakers. Check the headphone socket on the model you’ve chosen and, if necessary, agree how much playing noise is acceptable.
Which buying concerns influence your choice?
Portable digital piano with weighted keyboard
Suitable for: exercises for which you want the full piano range or a weighted action. Yamaha lists 88 GHC keys and a width of 1.326 mm for the P-145.
Bear in mind: the width required and the space needed for your playing setup; the LP-5A three-pedal unit for the P-145 is optional.
Short, touch-sensitive keyboard
Suitable for: exercises where the highest and lowest notes fall within the shorter keyboard’s range. The Yamaha PSR-E383 has 61 touch-sensitive keys; Casio lists the CT-S300’s dimensions as 930 × 256 × 73 mm.
Bear in mind: touch sensitivity isn’t the same as a weighted keyboard. Also check that your exercises fit within its range.
Lightweight 88-key instrument
Suitable for: anyone who wants a full range and needs to move the instrument regularly. Korg lists the Liano as having 88 touch-sensitive LS keys and weighing 6,0 kg without batteries or music stand.
Bear in mind: the LS specification consulted doesn’t confirm a hammer action; the specification cited is from Korg USA.
| Buying concern | What should you check? | Who is this important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Key range and action | Compare the lowest and highest notes in your exercises with the number of keys. Distinguish touch sensitivity from hammer action. | If I practise piano passages, I want the range and action to suit them. Around 36% of consumers put range and action first. |
| Space and storage | Measure the available width and depth where you’ll play and store the instrument, including the space needed for the music stand. | If I want to put the instrument away after practising, it needs to fit in the space available. Around 29% of consumers prioritise setup and storage space. |
| Practising without speakers | Check the instrument’s headphone socket and whether it’s compatible with your headphones. | In a shared room, I want to listen without using the built-in speakers. Around 21% of consumers make quiet practice their top priority. |
| Practice aids and accessories | Decide which features you’ll use, then check the contents and compatibility of the specific model. | If a metronome, lesson feature or pedal will help with my exercises, I want to know what the model I’ve chosen offers. Around 14% of consumers prioritise practice aids and accessories. |
What should you look out for when choosing?
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Touch-sensitive doesn’t automatically mean weighted
A keyboard can respond to how hard you press a key without using the same mechanism as a weighted keyboard. Yamaha describes the PSR-E383 as touch-sensitive and lists a GHC keyboard for the P-145.
Check the key range and the specified action separately. Try the action if it’s important for your exercises.
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Looking only at the depth of a slim instrument
In a small room, the width may determine whether an instrument fits, even if its stated depth is small. A shallow depth doesn’t mean the instrument is also narrow.
Measure both the instrument’s width and depth, as well as the complete playing setup.
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Assuming the pedal you want is included as standard
Accessories vary by model: Yamaha lists the LP-5A three-pedal unit for the P-145 as optional, while Casio lists an SP-3 pedal as included with the CDP-S110BK.
Before buying, check what’s included and whether the pedal is compatible with the model you’ve chosen.
Which brands are useful to compare?
Yamaha
The PSR-E383 is a shorter touch-sensitive keyboard; the P-145 is a portable digital piano with 88 keys.
- Yamaha lists 61 touch-sensitive keys and lesson features for the PSR-E383. For the P-145, Yamaha lists 88 GHC keys.
- The LP-5A three-pedal unit for the P-145 is optional. The different keyboards are model features, not a general performance claim about the brand.
Casio
The CT-S300 is a short keyboard; the CDP-S110BK is a slim model with a hammer action specified by Casio.
- Casio lists the CT-S300 as 930 mm wide. For the CDP-S110BK, Casio lists a depth of 232 mm and an included SP-3 pedal.
- Width and depth are different measurements. The shallow depth of the CDP-S110BK doesn’t show that the instrument will fit in a short storage space.
Korg
According to Korg, the Liano combines 88 touch-sensitive LS keys with a low stated weight.
- Korg lists a weight of 6,0 kg without batteries or music stand, and a headphone output.
- The Korg USA specification consulted doesn’t confirm a hammer action. Check the model and package contents of any offer in the Netherlands.
Roland
The FP-10 is an alternative with an 88-key keyboard that Roland describes as PHA-4 Standard.
- Roland lists headphone use and an optional DP-10 pedal.
- The information consulted applies to Australia and notes that Bluetooth availability may vary by country of purchase. Check the features and package contents of the model sold in the Netherlands.
Joybuy product for this practice scenario
A Joybuy option for finger exercises where an electronic keyboard instrument with a weighted action and a headphone socket may be useful.
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MLS-931 61-key keyboard with weighted action, black
This portable model has a weighted keyboard and headphone socket; check that its 61 keys cover the range of your exercises.
The product information lists 300 sounds, 300 rhythms, an LCD screen, USB-MIDI and speakers.
Frequently asked questions
Is a touch-sensitive keyboard the same as a digital piano with weighted keys?
No. Yamaha describes the PSR-E383 as a touch-sensitive keyboard and lists the P-145 as having an 88-key GHC keyboard. Choose based on the range and action your exercises require.
What should I measure before putting the instrument in my room?
Measure the available width and depth where you’ll play and store the instrument, and allow space for the music stand and your seat. Yamaha lists the P-145 as 1.326 mm wide; measure the complete setup you plan to use.
How can I use a metronome or pedal when practising?
First decide which aids your exercises require, then check the model and package contents. Casio lists metronome settings through CASIO Music Space and an included SP-3 sustain pedal for the CDP-S110BK; Yamaha lists the LP-5A three-pedal unit for the P-145 as optional.
What can I do if my practice disturbs other people?
Check the instrument’s headphone socket and, if necessary, agree how much audible noise is acceptable. The Dutch government advises people dealing with noise from neighbours to try agreeing arrangements together first, for example about the times when music can be played. This doesn’t mean there’s one general nationwide time when keyboard playing is always permitted.
What are my rights when buying online in the Netherlands?
According to the Dutch government, when you buy from a business remotely, you’ll often have a 14-day cooling-off period. A product must also meet the terms of the agreement, and the seller must provide a solution if it’s faulty. The Dutch government states that there’s no fixed statutory warranty period in the Netherlands that applies to all products.