Beginner waltz pianist
You mainly want to practise your left hand, melody and touch on a piano-style keyboard, and can make room for 88 keys. Yamaha and Korg include 88-key models in their product information.
Who is this choice for?
Player with limited storage space
You want to put your instrument away easily after your lesson. That makes dimensions and weight important: Casio lists the CT-S300 as 930 mm wide and weighing 3.3 kg.
Player who wants accompaniment
You want to practise with an accompaniment Style and check in advance that the model you choose offers the waltz time signature you need. Yamaha lists accompaniment Styles for the PSR-E383.
What should you consider when choosing?
61-key keyboard
A good fit if: you want to put your instrument away after practising or play with automatic accompaniment. Yamaha lists touch-sensitive keys and accompaniment Styles for the PSR-E383; Casio lists compact dimensions and a weight of 3.3 kg for the CT-S300.
Keep in mind: a 61-key keyboard has a more limited range than the 88-key pianos mentioned here. Check whether the exact model offers the three-quarter time signature or waltz Style you need.
88-key digital piano
A good fit if: you mainly want to practise on a piano-style keyboard and have enough room. Yamaha lists the P-145BT as 1,326 mm wide; Korg lists the B2+ as 1,312 mm wide, excluding the music stand.
Keep in mind: these models take up more space than the compact keyboard mentioned above. Korg lists a headphone output and included damper pedal for the B2+; check which pedal function and accessories come with the version you choose.
| What to consider | What to look for | Who is this most important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Touch and range | Compare the keyboard type and number of keys on the exact version; don’t rely on the ‘digital piano’ label alone. | If I want to practise piano technique and play with both hands, the keyboard is my first priority; around 31% of consumers give piano technique top priority. |
| Space and storage | Measure the available width and depth both where you’ll play and where you plan to store the instrument. | I want to use my instrument in a small practice room and put it away afterwards; storage space is a top priority for around 25% of consumers. |
| Quiet practice | Check for a headphone socket and make sure it’s compatible with your headphones. Headphones won’t automatically eliminate the sound of the keys or pedal. | When I practise in a shared or noisy room, I want to be able to connect suitable headphones; around 25% of consumers prioritise quiet practice. |
| Keeping time and accompaniment | Check whether you can select the time signature or waltz Style you need on the exact model, and whether it suits your teaching method. | If I want to practise with a rhythm or automatic accompaniment, I check the available settings; around 19% of consumers prioritise accompaniment. |
Things to watch out for
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‘Portable’ doesn’t necessarily mean it will fit on your table
The 88-key models we looked at are around 1.3 metres wide. Korg also states that the B2+ dimensions do not include the music stand.
Measure your entire playing area, including the music stand and space for your seat, before choosing an 88-key model.
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Lots of accompaniment rhythms don’t guarantee suitable waltz accompaniment
Yamaha lists accompaniment Styles for the PSR-E383, but the number of Styles alone doesn’t confirm that the waltz setting you need is available.
Check the Style list or demonstration for the exact model, and discuss your practice method with your teacher.
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A pedal socket doesn’t tell you which pedal function you’ll get
Korg lists an included damper pedal for the B2+ and a separately available PU-2 unit for half-pedalling.
Check which pedal function your lessons require and what’s included with the version you choose. If you need half-pedalling, check that the pedal unit you need will fit your setup.
Brands to consider
These product ranges illustrate the different trade-offs between accompaniment, keyboard and available space. The examples are not an assessment of a brand’s entire range.
Yamaha
The product information we looked at includes the 61-key PSR-E383, with accompaniment Styles, and the portable 88-key P-145BT digital piano.
- The PSR-E383 is an option if you want accompaniment; the P-145BT is worth considering if you’re looking for an 88-key keyboard.
- Yamaha lists the P-145BT as 1,326 mm wide. Check separately whether the PSR-E383 offers the waltz Style you need.
Casio
The CT-S300 we looked at is a compact keyboard; Casio describes the CDP-S110 as having a hammer-action keyboard.
- Casio lists the CT-S300 as measuring 930 × 256 × 73 mm and weighing 3.3 kg. For the CDP-S110, the brand lists a PHONES/OUTPUT socket and an included SP-3 damper pedal.
- Check whether the exact model offers the waltz accompaniment you need; a pedal or socket alone doesn’t confirm that it has the function you’re looking for.
Korg
The B2 and B2+ we looked at are 88-key digital pianos for those who value a piano-style keyboard more than a small accompaniment keyboard.
- Korg lists metronome controls for tempo and time signature on the B2. For the B2+, the brand lists a headphone output and an included damper pedal.
- The B2+ is listed as 1,312 mm wide, excluding the music stand. Check features and accessories for each version; don’t assume the B2’s specifications also apply to the B2+ without checking.
Joybuy products
Related products will be available soon.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to learn a waltz with automatic accompaniment?
No, you don’t. If you want to learn to keep time yourself, compare the metronome and time signature settings; Korg lists both for the B2. If you’d like to practise with accompaniment, Yamaha lists accompaniment Styles for the PSR-E383. Check that the model you choose offers a suitable three-quarter time signature or waltz Style.
What should I look for if I want to practise quietly?
Check that the instrument has a headphone output that’s compatible with your headphones. Korg lists a PHONES socket for the B2+; Casio lists a PHONES/OUTPUT socket for the CDP-S110. Headphones won’t automatically eliminate the sound of the keys or pedal.
How much space do I need for an 88-key digital piano?
Measure the area where you’ll play, allowing space for the music stand and your seat too. Yamaha lists the P-145BT as 1,326 mm wide; Korg lists the B2+ as 1,312 mm wide, excluding the music stand.
What are my rights when I buy an instrument online?
When you buy from a business at a distance, you’re often entitled to a 14-day cooling-off period, according to the Dutch government. Statutory guarantees also apply in the Netherlands; if there’s a fault, contact the seller. The precise rules may depend on the purchase and the product.
What should I look for in an electric keyboard for use in the Netherlands?
Check the product information and power specifications for the exact version. According to the European Union, CE marking is only required for products covered by EU rules that make it compulsory; the manufacturer is responsible for meeting the applicable requirements. A CE mark doesn’t tell you whether an instrument is right for your waltz lessons.