Choose a keyboard based on what you want to practise with your left hand. If you want to play bass notes and chords yourself, pay attention to the key range and touch response. If you want to use chords to control the accompaniment, check how the model handles this feature. Then compare the headphone socket and the space the instrument takes up with your playing setup. Headphones switch off the speakers, but they don’t guarantee silence outside the room. The UK government advises people concerned about disturbing their neighbours to agree arrangements together.
You want to learn to play bass notes and chord shapes yourself, perhaps while playing a melody with your right hand. Yamaha and Korg describe models with 61 touch-sensitive keys; check that the range suits the exercises you want to do.
You want to control built-in accompaniment with left-hand chord changes and practise how it responds to your playing. Korg describes chord-controlled Styles for the EK-50, while Roland describes automatic accompaniment for the E-X10.
You want to avoid sound from the speakers and check in advance that the keyboard and playing setup will fit. Casio lists an optional headphone socket in the CT-S400 manual; check the socket on the version you’re considering.
Best for: You want to play bass notes and chord shapes yourself and practise your timing.
Consider: Touch sensitivity alone tells you nothing about whether the keyboard has weighted keys. Automatic accompaniment isn’t essential for this type of practice.
Best for: You want to play chords with your left hand while a Style provides the accompaniment, and perhaps play along with your right hand.
Consider: The accompaniment fills out the parts; it doesn’t replace practising every bass note or chord yourself.
Best for: You want to play over a pre-set chord progression. Roland describes a chord sequencer for the GO:KEYS 3 and 5.
Consider: Repeating a loop is different from making live chord changes with your left hand. Roland says a free account is required for ready-made Chord Director patterns.
| What to consider | What to look for when buying | Who is this important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Key range and touch response | Compare the notes in your exercises with the range of the exact model. Yamaha and Korg describe models with 61 touch-sensitive keys; check separately whether you’re looking for weighted keys. | I want to play bass notes and chord shapes myself and check that my pieces fit within the keyboard’s range. Around 33% of consumers prioritise playing left-hand parts independently. |
| Live chord accompaniment | Check how the model handles chord changes, starting and stopping, and try out a chord progression from your own repertoire. Korg and Roland describe automatic accompaniment controlled by left-hand chords. | If I play chords with my left hand, I want the accompaniment to respond while I perhaps play along with my right hand. Around 27% of consumers prioritise live-controlled accompaniment. |
| Headphones and setup | Check the socket and plug on the version you’re considering. Measure the playing area, including the chair, music rest and cables. Korg lists a 3.5 mm headphone socket for the EK-50 and a width of 994 mm without the music rest. | I want to practise in a shared or noisy room and check first that the setup will fit. Around 27% of consumers prioritise quiet practice and placement. |
| Repeating a chord progression | Check whether you can use your own sequence or need to work with the patterns available. Roland says an account is required to access ready-made Chord Director patterns. | I want to play over a recurring chord progression without controlling every change live with my left hand. Around 13% of consumers make repeatable chord progressions their main priority. |
A Style adds accompanying parts based on the chords you play. That serves a different purpose from playing every bass note yourself.
Decide in advance which left-hand part you want to play yourself, then try that approach on the model you’re considering.
A headphone socket doesn’t tell you whether the sound of the keys or contact noise will still be heard elsewhere in your home.
Check the socket and plug, consider other people in your household or your neighbours, and agree practice times if needed.
The stated dimensions of the Korg EK-50 are without the music rest, so the complete playing setup takes up more space.
Measure the space available and check what’s included with the specific version.
A suitable stand, chair or headphones may need extra space; check which items are included with the version you’re considering.
The PSR-E383 is a portable keyboard for anyone who wants to play themselves, as well as use lesson features or automatic Styles.
The CT-S400 is a compact Casiotone option for practising with rhythm patterns and built-in sounds.
The EK-50 is an option for controlling Styles with left-hand chords.
Roland describes different accompaniment options for the E-X10 and GO:KEYS 3/5. These features aren’t interchangeable between the models.
No. If you want to learn to play individual bass notes and chords yourself, practise them on your own. Choose chord-controlled accompaniment if you want to practise changing chords against a pattern. Korg describes this approach for the EK-50, and Roland for the E-X10.
Check the socket and plug on the exact model. Korg lists a 3.5 mm stereo headphone socket for the EK-50. Headphones don’t guarantee that the physical sound of playing won’t be heard outside the room.
It depends on the model and version. Korg lists a mains adapter and music rest with the EK-50. When buying, check what’s included in the specific offer and whether you also need a stand, chair or suitable headphones.
According to ACM ConsuWijzer, standard online consumer purchases generally come with a statutory cooling-off period of up to 14 days after delivery, subject to applicable exceptions. The ACM says the seller is responsible for the statutory guarantee if a product is faulty; contact the seller if you find a fault.
