Which option is right for you?

Practising at home without anyone else listening

You want to practise hymns privately or very quietly, so you’re looking for a suitable headphone socket and volume control. Korg and Roland list headphone use as an option for the models described.

Learning an organ part

You’re looking for an organ sound that suits your hymn and will first check that its lowest and highest notes fit on the keyboard. Casio lists church organ sounds for the CT-S1, while Kawai lists a Church Organ sound for the ES120.

Practising a hymn as a piano piece

You’re practising complete piano parts and care about the keyboard range and a piano-focused touch. Oostendorp Muziek describes digital pianos as typically having 88 keys; Roland specifies an 88-key keyboard for the FP-10.

What should you look for when choosing?

First compare the lowest and highest notes in your sheet music with the keyboard. Then decide whether an organ sound, piano playing or quiet practice matters most to you.

What to consider What should you check? Who is this important for?
Practising quietly or in silence Check the headphone socket on the exact model and start at a low listening volume. Casio describes the CT-S300 as having an equaliser that adjusts to the volume when the speakers are turned down. If I want to practise without others having to listen, I’m looking for a suitable headphone socket; around 31% of consumers prioritise practising privately or very quietly.
Organ sound Listen to the organ sound on the exact model and compare it with the part you want to practise. If the organ part is central, I want to know whether the sound suits my hymn; around 31% of consumers prioritise a usable organ sound.
Keyboard range and touch Compare the lowest and highest notes in your sheet music with the keyboard, and assess the touch if piano playing is important to you. For complete piano parts, I want enough range and a piano-focused touch; around 23% of consumers prioritise piano playing over an organ sound or ease of storage.
Positioning and storage Measure the available space and check the dimensions, weight and box contents of the exact version. If my playing space is limited, I want an instrument that fits and still has enough keys for my pieces; around 15% of consumers prioritise size and storage.

Common pitfalls

  • Focusing only on the number of keys

    A compact 61-key keyboard has a narrower range than an 88-key digital piano. This means some notes in a piece may fall outside the keyboard’s range.

    Mark the lowest and highest notes in your hymns and check that both fit on the instrument.

    If the parts don’t fit within the range, you may need a different instrument to practise them without making changes.

  • Assuming that lots of sounds include the church organ sound you want

    A general claim that an instrument has lots of sounds doesn’t confirm that the exact model has the organ sound you’re looking for. Casio lists church organ sounds for the CT-S1; this model specification doesn’t automatically apply to other models.

    Check the sound list or listen to the organ sound on the version you’re considering.

  • Assuming accessories are included as standard

    Box contents vary by model and version. Korg lists a supplied mains adaptor for the EK-50 and batteries as an optional extra; Casio lists an SP-3 sustain pedal as included with the CDP-S110BK.

    Check the box contents, connections and any compatible accessories you’ll need before choosing.

    You may need to buy headphones, a stand or a pedal separately if they aren’t included with the version you choose.

Brands to compare by model

Casio

The Casiotone CT-S1 is a compact option for which Casio lists church organ sounds. The CDP-S110BK is a separate, piano-focused digital piano.

  • Casio lists a headphone socket and a supplied SP-3 sustain pedal for the CDP-S110BK.
  • The sound information for the CT-S1 doesn’t automatically apply to the CDP-S110BK; compare the specifications for each model.

Yamaha

The PSR-E383 is a 61-key keyboard with touch-sensitive keys and accompaniment styles. The PSR-E283 is a different model with a documented headphone socket.

  • Yamaha lists features separately for each model, including the PHONES/OUTPUT socket on the PSR-E283.
  • Don’t assume the PSR-E283 is touch-sensitive just because the PSR-E383 is, and check for the organ sound you want on each model.

Korg

According to Korg, the EK-50 has 61 touch-sensitive keys and accompaniment styles, making it suitable for players who want to use automatic accompaniment as well as play themselves.

  • Korg lists a headphone socket and a supplied adaptor.
  • The keyboard has a narrower range than an 88-key piano; Korg also states that it doesn’t support half-pedalling.

Roland

The FP-10 is an 88-key digital piano with a headphone socket; Roland also lists organ sounds.

  • The 88-key keyboard and PHA-4 Standard action are specifications listed by Roland.
  • Check that the organ sound included suits the hymns you want to practise.

Kawai

The ES120 is an 88-key digital piano; Kawai lists a selectable Church Organ sound, among others.

  • Kawai also lists organ sounds and two headphone sockets.
  • An organ sound with a specific name doesn’t mean the instrument replaces a pipe organ setup; assess the sound against your own practice needs.

Joybuy products

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

Can I practise with headphones without using the speakers?

Yes, if the model you choose has a headphone socket. Korg lists a 3.5mm stereo socket for the EK-50; Yamaha lists a standard stereo PHONES/OUTPUT socket for the PSR-E283. Start at a low listening volume: VeiligheidNL warns that loud sounds can cause irreversible hearing damage.

Do I need a pedal for hymns?

It depends on the part and the playing technique you want to practise. A sustain pedal may be useful for piano parts; Casio lists an SP-3 sustain pedal as included with the CDP-S110BK. For other models, check the pedal connection and the contents of the version you choose.

What can I do if a keyboard I bought online develops a fault?

According to the Dutch Government, the seller must provide a solution if a product is faulty. The Netherlands doesn’t have a fixed statutory warranty period of two years; what you’re entitled to expect depends, among other things, on the product and the information provided at the time of purchase.

Can I return a keyboard instrument ordered online if I don’t like it?

For a standard online purchase, ACM ConsuWijzer says you generally have a statutory cooling-off period of up to 14 days after delivery. Check the applicable exceptions and returns policy before ordering.

Does an electronic keyboard need a CE marking?

According to the Dutch Government, many—but not all—product groups placed on the EU market must carry a CE marking. Whether the specific keyboard version and supplied adaptor are covered, and under which rules, depends on the product. A CE marking is not, in itself, an independent test of playability or quality.