Who is this suitable for?

Practising a left-hand part you play yourself

If you want to play bass notes or chords yourself with your left hand, look at the keyboard layout, bass sounds and any split function. Korg lists split control for the EK-50.

Practising chords and rhythm with styles

If you want your left-hand chords to control the accompaniment, compare how the model operates its styles and responds to chords. Yamaha describes how this works on the PSR-E483.

Practising in a rehearsal room

If you want to connect the keyboard to a mixer or use headphones between rehearsals, check the connections on the exact model. Korg specifies separate audio outputs and a headphone socket for the EK-50.

What should you look for when buying?

First decide whether you want to play a part yourself with your left hand or control automatic accompaniment. Then check that the connections suit your rehearsal room setup.

What to consider What should you check? Who is this important for?
Playing it yourself with your left hand Test the split function and bass sounds; check whether you can turn off the automatic bass part. I want to play bass notes or chords myself with my left hand so I can practise that part specifically. Around 36% of consumers prioritise playing the left-hand part themselves.
Styles and chord changes Try out how the model recognises chords and how you control the style and tempo. I want to practise chord changes with rhythmic accompaniment, without expecting a style to be the same as playing a bass line myself. Around 29% of consumers prioritise styles and chord changes.
Connecting to your setup Compare the audio outputs with the available mixer inputs and work out which cables you need. I want to play through the setup during rehearsals and know in advance whether the connections are compatible. Around 21% of consumers focus mainly on connections for playing together.
Practising separately and taking it with you Check the headphone socket, power supply, included accessories and dimensions. I sometimes want to practise on my own or move the keyboard, so the setup and equipment I need must suit this. Around 14% of consumers prioritise practising alone or on the go.

Common buying mistakes

  • Confusing a style with practising your own bass part

    Automatic accompaniment can provide bass notes for you, when you may actually want to learn to play them yourself with your left hand.

    Practise your pattern without automatic bass first, then try the style setting you want.

  • Mistaking a headphone socket for a mixer connection

    According to Korg, the EK-50 has a headphone socket and separate L/MONO and R outputs; these are different connections.

    Compare the keyboard’s connections with the mixer inputs before choosing a cable.

  • Overlooking space and accessories

    The space you need also depends on the music rest and any accessories you want to use.

    Measure your playing area and check which accessories are included with the offer you choose.

Brands to compare

The models listed offer different features to compare; a model specification alone cannot tell you whether a setting suits your playing style.

Yamaha

The PSR-E383 and PSR-E483 are worth comparing if you want to practise with built-in styles.

  • Yamaha lists 61 touch-sensitive keys and 260 auto-accompaniment styles for the PSR-E383. Yamaha explains that the PSR-E483’s styles respond to left-hand chords.
  • Check the controls and connections on each model; the number of styles does not determine whether a rhythm suits your practice goals.

Casio

The CT-S400 is worth considering if you want to explore rhythm patterns and practise hand parts in built-in songs.

  • Casio lists 200 rhythm patterns and the option to select hand parts in built-in songs.
  • These features do not confirm that you can configure every bass part you play yourself, or that the connections will suit your mixer.

Korg

The EK-50 is worth comparing if you’re looking for styles, split control and connections for a rehearsal setup.

  • Korg specifies more than 280 preset styles, SPLIT control, separate L/MONO and R outputs, and a headphone socket.
  • The presence of split control does not prove that a particular setting will leave your left-hand part unaffected; test the practice mode you want.

Roland

The GO:KEYS 3 is an option to compare for automatic accompaniment and saved playing settings.

  • The Roland manual describes tempo settings for automatic accompaniment. Roland says a scene can save sound and accompaniment settings, among other things.
  • Check the chord controls and connections on the exact model; these descriptions do not mean they are the same as those on other keyboards.

Joybuy products

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

Can I practise my own bass line on a keyboard with automatic accompaniment?

It depends on the settings of the exact model. Check whether you can use the bass sound and keyboard layout you want without the automatic bass part taking over from your playing. Korg lists split control and separate accompaniment parts for the EK-50.

How do I connect a keyboard to the mixer in the rehearsal room?

First check which audio inputs are available. Korg specifies separate 6.3 mm OUTPUT L/MONO and R outputs for the EK-50; then work out which cables will suit your particular setup.

What should I check when setting up a keyboard?

Make sure there is enough room for the instrument and music rest, and that the power supply and cables suit your setup. Use accessories specified for your chosen model; Casio warns against using non-specified accessories in the CT-S400 manual.

Who should I contact if there’s a fault, and how does the cooling-off period work for online purchases?

For a remedy under the legal guarantee on a purchase made by a consumer in the Netherlands, you should contact the seller, according to the Dutch government. Online purchases generally come with a statutory cooling-off period of up to 14 days after delivery; ACM ConsuWijzer advises checking the applicable terms and exceptions.

Are keyboards and adapters all subject to the same CE marking requirements?

The applicable rules depend on the specific product. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority states that products covered by the Commodities Act Electrical Equipment Decree must carry a CE marking. Check the product information for the keyboard and adapter combination, and don’t assume it complies based on the product category alone.