A compact keyboard is a good fit for practising minor scales if easy storage and simple operation are your priorities. A digital piano with weighted keys is better if you mainly want to work on piano technique and have room for a larger instrument. Check the exact model for a headphone socket, volume control and the practice features you want: touch-sensitive keys are not the same as weighted piano keys.
Wants to practise minor scales while keeping electronic noise to a minimum for other people at home. Look for a suitable headphone socket and listen at a sensible volume. The World Health Organization stresses that both volume and listening time matter.
Wants to practise notes and keeping time with a keyboard and metronome that suit their exercises. Yamaha Netherlands and Korg Netherlands provide model specifications, including the number of keys and practice features.
Also wants to practise on weighted keys and has room for a larger instrument. Korg Netherlands specifies that the B2 has 88 weighted keys.
A good fit for: practising and storing in a smaller space.
Trade-off: touch sensitivity does not mean the keys are weighted; also check that the range suits your exercises.
A good fit for: anyone who wants a wider range than a 61-key keyboard offers.
Trade-off: the larger keyboard needs more space and does not automatically have weighted keys.
A good fit for: anyone who prioritises a piano-like feel and practising across a full keyboard.
Trade-off: measure the space available first. According to Korg Netherlands, the Korg B2 is 1.312 mm wide and weighs 11,4 kg without the music rest.
| What to consider | What to look for | Who should pay particular attention? |
|---|---|---|
| Practising quietly | Check the headphone socket, plug size and volume control on the exact version. | If I practise in a shared space, I want to keep electronic noise to a minimum by using suitable headphones. Around 33% of consumers say quiet practice is their main buying concern. |
| Minor scales and timing | Check whether the model has a metronome and whether its key response suits your exercises. | If I want to practise scale patterns and keeping a steady tempo, I focus on useful practice features. Around 27% of consumers say scales and timing are their main buying concern. |
| Key feel and range | Compare the key action and number of keys with your learning goals; touch-sensitive keys are not the same as weighted keys. | If I want to work on piano technique, I give more weight to key feel and keyboard range than to the number of sounds. Around 20% of consumers say key feel and range are their main buying concern. |
| Space and setup | Measure the space available and check which power adapter, stand, pedal and headphones are included. | If I want to move or put away the instrument regularly, it needs to suit the space and setup I have. Around 20% of consumers say space and setup are their main buying concern. |
Touch sensitivity and a weighted key action are different features. So a keyboard with touch-sensitive keys will not necessarily give you the feel you want for piano technique.
Choose based on your learning goals and, if possible, try the key feel of the exact model.
If weighted keys turn out to be essential for your lessons, you may need a different instrument.
The number of built-in sounds does not tell you whether you can use the instrument with headphones. Headphones will not eliminate the physical sound of the keys moving, either.
Before buying, check the socket, plug size and included accessories for the version on offer.
You may need to buy suitable headphones or a plug adapter separately.
Connections, dimensions and included components can vary between models and bundles. For example, the Korg B2's specifications do not automatically apply to the B2+.
Check the full model name and bundle contents before ordering.
According to Yamaha Netherlands, the PSR-E range includes portable keyboards with different numbers of keys, including the 61-key PSR-E383 and the 76-key PSR-EW320.
The CT-S300 is a compact option if you want to move or store your instrument.
The B2 is a digital piano for anyone who values weighted keys and a full keyboard more than compact storage.
No, you can practise the notes on the keys without a special minor mode. Natural, harmonic and melodic minor have different patterns, so decide which form you are learning. Only check for a lesson feature if you expect guidance or automatic feedback.
Start at a low volume and only increase it if needed. The World Health Organization recommends, among other things, limiting the volume and taking regular listening breaks. Consider both volume and listening time, and check which plug fits your instrument.
In the Netherlands, statutory guarantees apply in addition to any commercial warranty. If a product does not perform as you could reasonably expect during normal use, the seller is responsible for providing an appropriate solution at no cost, such as a repair or replacement.
For a standard online consumer purchase, you generally have a statutory cooling-off period of up to 14 days after delivery. Check the terms and statutory exceptions before buying; an in-store purchase does not automatically come with the same right to cancel.
Check the documentation for the exact version on offer, rather than assuming it complies based on the brand name alone. The Dutch government outlines the applicable European safety and EMC requirements for electrical and electronic equipment, including CE marking and an EU Declaration of Conformity following conformity assessment.
