If you mainly want to practise your own left-hand part, choose a keyboard with features that let you practise one hand separately or record and listen back to your playing. Automatic accompaniment is better suited to chord changes in an arrangement; a MIDI controller is mainly an option if you already use instrument software and can configure the sound source and audio output. More keys give you a wider playing range, but also take up more space.
You want to play, repeat and listen back to left-hand patterns separately, without having to start up a computer each time. Yamaha says the PSR-E383 lets you record the left hand on its own first; Yamaha and Casio also describe features for practising parts separately.
You practise chord changes with a rhythm or arrangement and want to know which notes you’re playing yourself. Casio describes rhythms, automatic accompaniment and song parts that can be practised separately; Korg mentions styles and a SPLIT button.
You already use software instruments and want to control, for example, bass and a second sound from different keyboard zones. Novation describes two zones on the Launchkey MK4, as well as controls for use with a DAW.
Suitable if: you want to play and listen back to your own left-hand part; Yamaha describes recording on the PSR-E383 and separate hand practice on the PSR-EW320.
Trade-off: Yamaha lists 61 keys for the PSR-E383 and 76 for the PSR-EW320. Check how wide a range your practice pieces require and how much space you have.
Suitable if: you want to practise chord changes with rhythms or accompaniment parts; the Casio CT-S400 and Korg EK-50 are examples to compare for these features.
Trade-off: accompaniment can add a bass part, whereas if you want to practise a bass line yourself, you’ll want to play the notes and movements yourself.
Suitable if: you already use a computer, DAW and software instruments; Novation describes two keyboard zones for the Launchkey 61 MK4.
Trade-off: a MIDI controller sends data but doesn’t produce an instrument sound you can hear on its own; you’ll need a sound source and configured audio output.
| What to consider | What should you check? | Who is this important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Practising on your own and listening back | Whether you can practise the left hand separately and record your own playing. | If I want to play and listen back to my own left-hand part, I look for features that support this; around 33% of consumers make practising on their own their top priority. |
| Chords with accompaniment | Which left-hand input triggers a chord and whether you can turn the accompaniment off. | If I mainly want to practise chord changes with a rhythm, I want to be able to check which notes I’m playing myself; around 27% of consumers make accompaniment chords their top priority. |
| DAW control | Compatibility with your DAW, the zones’ MIDI channels and the audio output. | If I want to record my left hand using software instruments, I check how the zones and sound source work together; around 20% of consumers prioritise DAW control. |
| Keyboard range | Whether the lowest and highest notes in your practice pieces fall within the range and whether the instrument fits in your workspace. | For pieces with a wider range, I don’t want to run out of keys; around 20% of consumers prioritise a wider playing range. |
In some accompaniment modes, playing a few chord notes can trigger a fuller part. That doesn’t necessarily practise the same finger movements as a bass line you want to learn to play yourself.
Decide in advance whether you want to practise chord changes or every note in a left-hand part. Also check whether you can turn the accompaniment off.
Novation describes MIDI as control data with no audio signal of its own. You’ll need a suitable sound source and audio output to hear your playing.
Before buying, check how your software instrument will be controlled and where you’ll connect your headphones or speakers.
You may also need a suitable computer or another sound source, software and audio output for this setup; what you need depends on your existing equipment.
A search term alone doesn’t make it clear whether a result is for a musical instrument or a computer keyboard.
Check the product page for the instrument type, brand, full model name, number of keys, features and included accessories.
The features mentioned are described by the manufacturers. The features alone don’t tell you how well a model will teach you a specific left-hand movement.
The PSR-E383 offers a 61-key option for practice; the PSR-EW320 has 76 keys for a wider playing range.
According to Casio, the CT-S400 combines rhythms, automatic accompaniment and the option to practise song parts separately.
Korg describes the EK-50 as a self-contained arranger keyboard with 61 touch-sensitive keys.
The Launchkey 61 MK4 is designed to be used as a MIDI controller with a DAW and software instruments.
According to Roland, the GO:KEYS 3 is designed around sounds, chord progressions and automatic accompaniment.
According to Novation, the Launchkey is a MIDI controller, and MIDI carries control data, not sound. To hear your playing, you’ll need a suitable sound source and configured audio output, so check what equipment and software you already have.
According to Novation, you can split the keyboard into two zones on the Launchkey 61 MK4 and change the split point. Set up the receiving software or equipment so that both zones come through on the right MIDI channels; Novation’s example uses two tracks for this.
According to the Dutch government, when you buy from a business at a distance, you generally have 14 days to change your mind, although there are exceptions. The seller is your point of contact for the legal guarantee; the Netherlands has no fixed statutory guarantee period that applies to all products.
No, not as a general rule: according to the European Commission, CE marking is required when the relevant harmonised EU rules specify it. Check which requirements apply to the instrument itself and any power supply included; a search result alone doesn’t show whether an offer meets the applicable requirements.
