Students learning piano parts
You’re practising written musical parts and want to check that the keyboard range and feel suit the music. Yamaha, Roland and Korg list different key counts and keyboard actions for the models mentioned.
Which instrument is right for you?
Singers’ accompanists
You accompany singers with chords and melodies and want to be able to adapt to a different key. Yamaha lists transposition and accompaniment styles for the PSR-E383, while Casio specifies touch response for the CT-S300.
Rehearsal accompanists in a shared room
You regularly set up the instrument or practise while others are using the room. Yamaha, Korg and Casio list differences in dimensions and weight in their model specifications. Also check the headphone socket on the version you’re considering.
What should you look for when choosing?
Touch-sensitive keyboard
A good fit if: you mainly play chords and melodies for singers, the parts fit within the keyboard range and you want to use accompaniment styles.
Bear in mind: a touch-sensitive keyboard is not the same as a weighted piano action; 61 keys may not offer enough range for some piano parts.
Digital piano with 88 keys
A good fit if: you practise full piano parts and a piano-style keyboard action is important to you. Roland says the FP-10 has 88 PHA-4 Standard keys.
Bear in mind: measure the space needed for the complete setup, and check the weight and included accessories.
Lightweight 88-key piano
A good fit if: you want the full keyboard range and move the instrument regularly. Korg lists 88 touch-sensitive LS keys for the Liano.
Bear in mind: the LS keys do not indicate a weighted hammer action; compare the feel with the piano you intend to play.
Compare the parts you’re rehearsing with the specifications for the exact model. Weigh up range, feel and setup against the way you accompany singers.
| What to consider | What should you check? | Who is this important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Keyboard range and feel | Compare the lowest and highest notes in your parts with the keyboard range, and try out the action. If you use a pedal, check which pedal is compatible with the model. | If you’re practising written piano parts, you’ll want to know whether every note falls within the range and whether the feel suits your practice goals. Around 36% of consumers give keyboard range and feel top priority. |
| Accompanying singers and transposition | Check the transposition function and whether the chords and melody fit within the keyboard range. Decide whether the built-in accompaniment styles suit your rehearsals. | When accompanying singers, you may need to change key while keeping the chords and melodies easy to play. Around 29% of consumers prioritise accompanying singers and changing key. |
| Moving and setting up | Measure the space needed, including the music rest, stand, chair and pedal. Compare weights on a like-for-like basis, with or without accessories. | If you regularly set up or put away the instrument, you’ll want to know whether it will fit in the room with the complete setup. Around 21% of consumers give moving and setup space top priority. |
| Quiet practice | Check the headphone socket and plug size on the exact model, and how the sound is played when you connect headphones. | If others use the room, you’ll want to practise on your own without using the built-in speakers. Around 14% of consumers prioritise quiet practice. |
Avoid common buying mistakes
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Confusing touch-sensitive keys with weighted keys
Touch sensitivity and a piano-style keyboard action are not the same thing. Yamaha lists touch-sensitive keys for the PSR-E383; Roland specifies a PHA-4 Standard keyboard for the FP-10.
Compare the keyboard action on the exact model with your practice goals, and try it out if you can.
If you later decide you specifically want to practise on a piano-style keyboard, you may need a second instrument.
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Measuring only the instrument
The setup also takes up space for items such as a music rest, stand and pedal. Included and optional pedals vary by model: Korg lists a PS-3 pedal switch with the Liano; Roland lists the DP-10 as an option for half-pedalling with the FP-10.
Measure the complete setup and check which accessories are included with the version you want to buy.
You may need to buy a suitable stand, pedal or other essential setup item separately.
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Assuming Bluetooth is available
Roland says Bluetooth availability on the FP-10 depends on the country of purchase.
If you need Bluetooth, confirm that it’s available on the exact version sold in the Netherlands.
Brands to consider
Yamaha
The PSR-E383 is a compact accompaniment keyboard, while the P-145 is a portable digital piano for different needs in terms of keyboard range and feel.
- According to Yamaha, the PSR-E383 has 61 touch-sensitive keys, accompaniment styles and transposition; the P-145 has 88 GHC keys.
- A 61-key model may not offer enough range for a particular piano part.
Roland
The FP-10 is a portable digital piano to consider if full piano parts and keyboard action are important to you.
- Roland specifies 88 PHA-4 Standard keys and says you can play through the built-in speakers or headphones.
- For half-pedalling, Roland lists the DP-10 as an option. Roland also says Bluetooth availability depends on the country of purchase.
Korg
The Liano has 88 keys for players who want the full range and move their instrument regularly.
- Korg lists touch-sensitive LS keys, transposition, a headphone/line output and an included PS-3 pedal switch.
- The LS keyboard action is not evidence of a weighted hammer-action keyboard; compare the feel with the piano you intend to play.
Casio
The CT-S300 is a compact keyboard option for accompaniment within a smaller range and for players who move their instrument regularly.
- Casio lists touch response, dimensions of 930 × 256 × 73 mm and a weight of 3.3 kg for this model.
- The stated battery life of around 19 hours is a manufacturer’s estimate under specific conditions, not a guaranteed playing time for every style of use. Touch response does not prove that the keyboard is weighted.
Products at Joybuy
These product picks focus on keyboard accompaniment and rehearsing on a 61-key instrument.
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MLS-931 digital keyboard, 61 keys, black
Suitable for accompanying singers and changing key, provided the parts fit within the 61-key range.
The product name lists a weighted keyboard, 300 tones, 300 rhythms, an LCD screen, USB-MIDI, speakers, a headphone socket and a music stand. Check that the type of keyboard action and feel suit your practice goals.
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Electronic keyboard, 61 keys, black
A possible choice for rehearsals with rhythmic accompaniment and headphone use, if 61 keys give you enough range.
The product information lists a MIDI controller, recording function, speakers, metronome and music stand; the description also mentions rhythms and a headphone socket.
Frequently asked questions
How can you tell whether 61 keys are enough?
Compare the lowest and highest notes in the parts you’re rehearsing with the range of the model you’ve chosen. Yamaha specifies 61 keys for the PSR-E383; Roland and Korg list 88 keys for the FP-10 and Liano respectively. The number of keys alone tells you nothing about whether the action is weighted.
What do you need to set up the instrument in the room?
Measure the space for the instrument, music rest, stand and chair, and check which accessories are included with the exact version. Korg lists a power adaptor, music rest and PS-3 pedal switch as included with the Liano; this doesn’t tell you what’s included in bundles for other models.
How can you practise without using the built-in speakers?
Choose a model with a suitable headphone socket and check the plug size for the exact instrument. Yamaha lists a PHONES/OUTPUT socket for the PSR-E383; Korg lists a shared headphone/line output for the Liano.
What returns rights apply to an online purchase in the Netherlands?
According to ACM ConsuWijzer, online purchases generally come with a statutory 14-day cooling-off period after delivery. Exceptions apply, so check which terms and conditions apply to your specific purchase.
Is the manufacturer’s warranty your only protection if the keyboard breaks too soon?
No. ACM ConsuWijzer explains that, alongside any seller’s or manufacturer’s warranty, consumers have statutory rights if a product does not meet the reasonable expectations for normal use. The seller must offer a solution in line with the applicable terms; there is no single fixed statutory warranty period for all keyboards.