Who is a keyboard for learning the waltz at home suitable for?

Learning the waltz with accompaniment

You want to learn to play melodies and chords at home to a suitable rhythm. Keeping track of the time and tempo matters more to you than having a large range of sounds.

Beginner pianist

You also want to practise dynamics and piano pieces for both hands. The difference between touch-sensitive and weighted keys is therefore an important part of your choice.

Practising quietly at home

You practise in a shared living space and want to choose an instrument, headphones and power supply that work well in your usual practice spot.

What should you look for when choosing a keyboard for waltz lessons?

A waltz in 3/4 has three beats to a bar, as musictheory.net explains. First decide whether you want to keep time on your own with a metronome, play along with an accompaniment style, or also practise piano technique on a full keyboard.

Portable beginner keyboard

Choose this option: if you want a compact way to get started with melodies, chords and touch dynamics; the Yamaha PSR-E383 and Casio CT-S300 are examples.

Consider: touch-sensitive keys are not the same as weighted piano keys. Check that the metronome or accompaniment suits the time signature of your lesson piece.

Keyboard with automatic accompaniment

Choose this option: if you want to practise chords with an accompaniment style. The Korg EK-50 offers styles and a metronome with an adjustable beat.

Consider: automatic accompaniment does not replace practising the left hand independently. Korg lists the EK-50 as 994 mm wide and weighing 7.5 kg without a music stand or batteries; measure your available space first.

Digital piano

Choose this option: if you mainly want to learn waltzes as piano pieces and having a full weighted keyboard is important to you. The Yamaha P-145 is one example, with 88 GHC keys.

Consider: this option is designed for piano playing rather than extensive automatic keyboard accompaniment.

Key consideration What should you check before buying? Which consumers focus on this most?
Keeping time and accompaniment Check the metronome time signature, or the time signature and controls for the specific accompaniment style. When I’m learning a waltz, I want to keep track of the three beats to a bar on my own or play along with chords. That’s why around 33% of consumers prioritise keeping time and accompaniment.
Playing feel and dynamics Check whether the model has touch-sensitive or weighted keys, and whether they suit your learning goals. I want to play melodies more softly or forcefully, so I pay attention to the keyboard’s response to touch. Around 27% of consumers prioritise playing feel and dynamics.
Quiet practice and placement Check the headphone socket, required power supply and dimensions of the version you’re considering. When I practise in a shared space, I want my setup to suit the space and headphones I use. Around 20% of consumers prioritise quiet practice and placement.
Progressing to piano pieces Compare a full weighted keyboard with a keyboard’s automatic styles, and choose based on your next learning goal. I want to play piano pieces on a full keyboard later, so I’m already taking that into account. Around 20% of consumers place the greatest importance on being able to progress.

Common mistakes when choosing a keyboard for waltz lessons

  • Assuming that lots of rhythms means there’s a suitable waltz accompaniment

    A large selection of styles doesn’t tell you the time signature of any particular one. You could end up choosing an accompaniment that doesn’t suit your lesson piece.

    Check the list of styles or try the one you want. You can also practise on your own with a metronome set to the right time signature.

  • Confusing touch-sensitive keys with weighted piano keys

    The portable keyboards reviewed here and the Yamaha P-145 have different keyboard actions. The right choice depends on whether you mainly want to learn to play a keyboard with styles or develop your piano technique.

    Decide on your learning goal first, then check the keys on the exact model you’re considering.

    If you later want to focus mainly on piano technique, a different instrument may be better suited to that goal.

  • Assuming everything you need is included in the box

    Package contents and compatible accessories can vary between models and versions.

    Before buying, check the contents list, connections and compatibility of any headphones, stand, pedal and power supply you need.

    Depending on what’s included in the package, you may need to buy accessories separately.

Brands to compare

These brands are examples of different instrument options. Their inclusion is not an endorsement of the brand as a whole, nor does it mean that every model is suitable for your waltz lessons.

Yamaha

The PSR-E383 is an example of a portable, touch-sensitive keyboard; the P-145 is a digital piano.

  • Yamaha Netherlands lists the PSR-E383 as having 61 touch-sensitive keys and lesson functions.
  • According to Yamaha Netherlands, the Yamaha P-145 has 88 GHC keys.
  • The keyboard actions of the PSR-E383 and P-145 are not interchangeable; having a full keyboard does not in itself mean it offers extensive keyboard styles.

Casio

The Casiotone CT-S300 is a compact option if you want to move a touch-sensitive keyboard around.

  • Casio Europe lists the CT-S300 as having touch sensitivity, a carry handle and a weight of 3.3 kg.
  • Check separately which metronome setting or accompaniment style suits your waltz piece; Dance Music Mode does not confirm that the style you want is available.

Korg

The EK-50 is designed for players who want to use automatic styles alongside their own keyboard playing.

  • Korg lists 61 touch-sensitive keys, more than 280 preset styles and a metronome with an adjustable beat.
  • Check whether a particular style suits your lesson piece. Korg says that the EK-50 does not support half-pedalling.

Roland

The GO:KEYS 3 is an option if you also want to explore sounds, chord progressions and arrangements.

  • Roland describes the GO:KEYS 3 as a 61-key keyboard with automatic accompaniment.
  • Automatic accompaniment alone does not confirm that the instrument includes a specific waltz style.

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Related products will be available soon.

Frequently asked questions about a keyboard for learning the waltz at home

Does a keyboard need to have a waltz rhythm for me to learn the waltz?

No, you can practise the three beats to a bar on your own with a suitably set metronome. If you want to use automatic accompaniment, check that the specific style has the same time signature as your piece; a large selection of rhythms isn’t enough to guarantee this.

What should I check if I practise at home with headphones?

Check the connection on both the exact model and your headphones, and find out what power supply it needs. For example, Korg lists the EK-50 as having a 3.5 mm stereo headphone socket and including a mains adaptor; don’t assume other models or packages have the same features.

What if the keys become faulty?

If a product is faulty, the seller in the Netherlands must provide a solution. The Dutch government says there is no fixed statutory guarantee period that applies to every product; use and maintain the instrument according to the instructions.

Do I have a cooling-off period when buying online in the Netherlands?

For distance purchases from a business, a 14-day cooling-off period applies in many cases, according to the Dutch government. Check the applicable terms and exceptions; according to the Dutch government, online purchases from private individuals are not covered by these distance-selling rules.