Who is this suitable for?

Practising quietly with housemates nearby

You want to practise a melody while other people are at home. Check the headphone socket on the exact model you’re considering, and agree a convenient time to practise.

Putting an instrument away after practising

You want to put your keyboard away after use. Compare its dimensions and weight with your available storage space, and check that its key range suits the music you want to play.

Adding chords to melodies

You may also want to play a left-hand part or use automatic accompaniment. Before choosing a model with extra features, think about which ones you’ll actually use.

What should you look for when choosing?

Compact portable keyboard

Choose this if: you mainly practise melodies and want to put the instrument away afterwards. Casio lists 61 keys, touch response, a width of 930 mm and a weight of around 3.3 kg for the CT-S300.

Keep in mind: 61 keys give you a narrower range than the 88 keys on the Yamaha P-145 mentioned here. Check the highest and lowest notes in the music you want to play.

Keyboard with learning features and accompaniment

Choose this if: you want to practise step by step or try accompaniment as well as playing melodies. Yamaha lists 61 touch-sensitive keys and learning features for the PSR-E383.

Keep in mind: extra features aren’t essential if you only want to play the melody. Check that the accompaniment you want and your headphone plug are compatible with the version you’re considering.

Keyboard with more accompaniment features

Choose this if: playing chords with accompaniment styles is an important part of your practice. Korg specifies touch-sensitive keys and a 3.5 mm headphone socket for the EK-50; Roland describes the GO:KEYS 3 as offering automatic accompaniment.

Keep in mind: according to Korg, the EK-50 is 994 mm wide and weighs 7.5 kg without a music rest or batteries. A range of styles doesn’t guarantee that the folk music style you want is included.

Digital piano

Choose this if: you mainly want to develop your piano technique and have space for 88 weighted keys, as on the Yamaha P-145. Yamaha describes this model as designed for piano playing.

Keep in mind: measure how much space the instrument will take up, and check its connections and agree on noise levels at home, just as you would with any other model.

The percentages below give a broad indication of the different buying priorities when choosing a keyboard for learning a folk melody in a shared home.

What to consider What to look for Who is this important to?
Practising without causing unnecessary noise Check the headphone output, plug size and speaker information in the instructions. Agree practice times with your housemates. If my housemates are at home, I want to listen to the electronic sound through headphones and be mindful of audible key noise. Around 36% of consumers make quiet practice their top priority.
Learning the melody independently Compare the notes in your melody with the keyboard’s range. Check whether the version you’re considering has touch response, a metronome or learning features. If I want to learn a melody by myself, I’m looking for a range that covers its notes and features that support the way I practise. Around 29% of consumers prioritise learning melodies independently.
Setting up and putting away Measure the space available, including room for a music rest if you need one. Compare the width, depth and weight. If I want to put the instrument away after practising, its dimensions and weight matter, as does having enough keys for the music I play. Around 21% of consumers make easy storage their top priority.
Adding chords or accompaniment Decide whether you want to play chords yourself or use an automatic style. Check the styles and controls on the exact model. If I also want to practise chords or accompaniment, I look for features that suit my needs and styles that work for what I want to play. Around 14% of consumers prioritise accompaniment.

Common buying mistakes

  • Assuming a headphone socket means complete silence

    A headphone socket lets you listen to the electronic sound privately, but it doesn’t remove the need to agree on other audible noise at home.

    Check the connections on the exact model and agree practice times with your housemates.

  • Choosing a 61-key keyboard without checking the highest and lowest notes

    The 61-key keyboards reviewed here have a narrower range than the 88-key digital piano. A piece of music may include notes outside the range of the instrument you choose.

    Before buying, compare the range of the instrument with a few pieces you want to learn.

  • Assuming a wide range of accompaniment styles includes the one you need

    The number of styles listed doesn’t tell you whether a particular folk melody or accompaniment style is included.

    Check the style and song list for the exact version. If you want to learn to play chords, practise playing them yourself too.

Brands to consider

Casio

The CT-S300 is a portable keyboard worth considering if you want to compare touch response with ease of storage.

  • Casio lists 61 keys, compact dimensions and a weight of around 3.3 kg for the CT-S300.
  • These specifications don’t necessarily apply to other Casio models. Check that your headphone plug fits the socket.

Yamaha

The PSR-E383 is a keyboard option with learning features and accompaniment; the P-145 is a separate option with weighted piano keys.

  • Yamaha lists 61 touch-sensitive keys and learning features for the PSR-E383, and 88 weighted keys for the P-145.
  • These specifications aren’t an independent comparison of playing quality. Decide whether you need learning features or a piano-style key feel.

Korg

The EK-50 is worth considering if automatic accompaniment is one of your practice goals.

  • Korg specifies accompaniment styles, 61 touch-sensitive keys and a 3.5 mm headphone socket for this model.
  • According to Korg, the EK-50 is 994 mm wide and weighs 7.5 kg without a music rest or batteries. Check that it includes the styles you need.

Roland

The GO:KEYS 3 is worth considering if you want to explore sounds and automatic accompaniment as well as playing a melody.

  • Roland describes the GO:KEYS 3 as having 61 keys and automatic accompaniment features.
  • Check the connections and make sure the styles you need are available on the exact version and suit your practice goals.

Joybuy products

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

Is a pair of headphones enough to practise in a shared home without agreeing anything first?

No. Think of a headphone socket as a way to listen to the electronic sound privately, not as permission to make any other audible noise. The Dutch Government advises people to agree on noise issues together first; local rules and household agreements may depend on where you live.

How do I start practising a folk melody?

First, check that the highest and lowest notes fall within the range of the keyboard you’ve chosen. Practise the melody on its own, then add chords or a suitable accompaniment style if you like. The presence of accompaniment styles doesn’t guarantee that a particular folk music style is available.

What should I consider when setting up and maintaining my keyboard?

Measure out a stable space for the exact instrument and any music rest, and check that your headphone plug matches the specified socket. Follow the manual for the version you’ve bought when powering, connecting and cleaning it.

What if a keyboard bought online doesn’t suit me or breaks down too soon?

According to ACM ConsuWijzer, online purchases generally come with a statutory 14-day cooling-off period after delivery, although exceptions apply. You’re also entitled to a statutory guarantee if a product doesn’t do what you could reasonably expect under normal use; the retailer is your point of contact. Check what’s included in the delivery and the returns information before buying.