Who is this suitable for?

Practising your own bass patterns

You want to play the low notes yourself and check that your part fits within the keyboard’s range. Yamaha Netherlands lists a split function for the PSR-E383; Korg Netherlands mentions a split button on the EK-50.

Players short on storage space

You put the instrument away after practising, so its dimensions and weight matter. Casio Netherlands lists the CT-S300 as measuring 930 × 256 × 73 mm and weighing 3,3 kg.

Practising in a shared space

You want to practise with headphones and check in advance that the plug fits the socket. Yamaha Netherlands lists a PHONES/OUTPUT socket for the PSR-E383; Korg Netherlands lists a 3,5 mm headphone socket for the EK-50.

What should you look for when choosing?

Start with the notes you play with your left hand, then check that the keyboard and setup will fit in your practice space.

What to consider What should you look for? Who is this most important for?
Playing the left-hand part yourself Check that your own pattern fits within the keyboard’s range. Separately, see whether a split function or accompaniment suits what you want to practise. I want to play my own bass notes and practise the entire part on the keyboard. Around 29% of consumers prioritise playing the left-hand part themselves.
Fitting and storing the keyboard Measure the available width and depth, then compare them with the exact model’s dimensions. Also allow enough room to play. I want to put the keyboard away after use without it taking up too much of my limited space. For around 29% of consumers, physical fit is their main concern.
Practising quietly Compare the size of the headphone socket with your headphone plug, and start at a low volume. When I practise while other people are at home, I want to listen through a compatible headphone socket. Quiet practice is the top priority for around 21% of consumers.
Touch response and learning goals Compare the touch response and feel of the keys with your learning goals; touch sensitivity doesn’t automatically mean weighted piano keys. I want to know whether the touch response suits the way I practise, rather than focusing only on sounds and rhythms. Around 21% of consumers prioritise touch response and how well it supports their learning goals.

Common mistakes

  • Confusing auto accompaniment with practising your own bass notes

    Accompaniment can respond to chords, but that doesn’t mean you’re playing the intended left-hand part yourself, note for note. Roland describes accompaniment on the GO:KEYS 3 that is controlled by left-hand input.

    Decide in advance whether you want to practise chord recognition and timing or play a written part yourself. For the latter, try playing the notes in your own pattern on the keyboard.

  • Comparing only the number of keys

    The number of keys alone won’t tell you whether the casing and the full setup will fit in your practice or storage space.

    Measure the available width and depth, and also check that all the notes in your part fall within the keyboard’s range.

  • Assuming every pair of headphones and power supply will fit straight away

    Sockets and power requirements vary by model. Check the output, plug and recommended power supply for the exact version you’re considering.

    Compare the model’s specifications and manual with the headphones and power source you want to use.

Relevant brands for this practice setup

Yamaha

A good option if you’re looking for a keyboard with touch response, lesson functions and accompaniment styles.

  • Yamaha Netherlands lists 61 keys, touch response, a split function, a metronome and a PHONES/OUTPUT socket for the PSR-E383.
  • Check that the range and split point suit your part. Touch sensitivity doesn’t mean the model has weighted piano keys.

Casio

The CT-S300 is worth considering if you move the instrument regularly or put it away after practising.

  • Casio Netherlands lists the CT-S300 as measuring 930 × 256 × 73 mm, weighing 3,3 kg and featuring touch response.
  • Don’t assume it has a split function; check which features on this exact model suit the part you want to practise.

Roland

The GO:KEYS 3 is worth considering if you want to practise chord changes and rhythm with auto accompaniment.

  • Roland Netherlands describes accompaniment that responds to left-hand input.
  • Auto accompaniment isn’t the same as playing a written bass pattern yourself, so check that the feature suits your practice goals.

Korg

The EK-50 is worth considering if you want different sounds for your left and right hands.

  • Korg Netherlands lists a split button, a 3,5 mm headphone socket and a supplied mains adaptor for the EK-50.
  • The listed dimensions are 994 × 392 × 132 mm and the weight is 7,5 kg. Measure your practice and storage space to make sure this model will fit.

Related products

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a split function to practise left-hand patterns?

No, not if you want to play both hands with the same sound. A split function is useful if you want to use different sounds for your left and right hands; if so, check that the split point suits your music.

How do I connect headphones to a keyboard?

Check that the plug matches the socket on the exact model. Yamaha lists a standard stereo PHONES/OUTPUT socket for the PSR-E383; Korg lists a 3,5 mm stereo mini output for the EK-50. Start at a low volume.

What should I check about a keyboard’s power supply?

Follow the manual for the exact model and check whether a compatible adaptor is included. Korg lists a supplied mains adaptor and optional AA batteries for the EK-50; Yamaha specifies a recommended adaptor type and operation with six AA batteries for the PSR-E383.

Can I return a keyboard bought online?

For many distance purchases from a business, you have a 14-day cooling-off period, according to the Government of the Netherlands. Before ordering, check who the seller is and which terms apply to your purchase.

What should I look for in terms of electrical product safety?

The Government of the Netherlands states that electrical appliances sold in the EU must carry a CE mark. Check the product information and marking for the specific version, and see which power supply it requires.