A pianist refining an intro
You want to practise the touch, timing and dynamics of a piano intro. If you mainly use one piano sound, you may not need a wide range of stage features.
Who is this guide for?
A student in a shared music room
You want to be able to choose between headphones, your own speakers and the room’s sound system. Which connection works will depend on the equipment available there.
A keyboard player preparing a band intro
When rehearsing, you may want to switch sounds quickly or combine them, for example using saved settings or zones.
What should you look for?
Portable digital piano
A good choice if: you mainly practise a piano intro and can’t always use an external sound system. Yamaha lists 88 GHC keys for the P-225, while Kawai lists features for the ES120 including a metronome, song recorder and line outputs.
Bear in mind: check that the action, pedal function and headphone connection on the exact version suit the way you practise.
Stage piano with built-in speakers
A good choice if: you want to switch sounds or settings, but also rehearse without external amplification. Roland lists built-in stereo speakers, 88 weighted keys and three zones for layers and splits on the RD-88 EX.
Bear in mind: the extra controls are most useful if you need them for your intro. Try them out, and check how you can hear or mute the sound in the room.
Stage piano for an existing sound system
A good choice if: the room has a suitable headphone or sound system and direct control is important to you. Yamaha lists headphone, jack and balanced XLR outputs for the CP88; Nord lists a headphone output and two audio outputs for the Piano 6.
Bear in mind: don’t assume it has built-in speakers. Yamaha lists the CP88 as weighing 18.6 kg, which may be a factor if you need to move it.
| What to consider | What should you check? | Who should pay particular attention? |
|---|---|---|
| Touch and expression | Try the action on the exact version with your own intro; check that the keyboard type and number of keys suit the passage. | If I want to practise playing softly and loudly in my intro, I want to try the keyboard with my own passage first. Around 33% of consumers in this practice scenario prioritise touch and expression. |
| Listening while practising | Check that the version suits the way you want to listen: through headphones, built-in speakers or the room’s sound system. | In a shared room, I want to know in advance whether I can practise quietly with headphones or play audibly without extra equipment. Around 33% of consumers give this listening option top priority. |
| Sounds and settings | Play your intro and see whether you can easily access the sounds and transitions you want. | If my intro needs changes of sound or layers, I want to try those transitions on the instrument itself. For around 17% of consumers, sounds and settings are the top priority. |
| Moving and connecting | Measure the available space and compare the weight and outputs of the exact version with the room’s setup. | If I move the piano between rooms or connect it to the existing sound system, I want to know in advance which connections and carrying route will work. Around 17% of consumers put moving and connecting ahead of other buying factors. |
What to watch out for when buying
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Assuming every stage piano has its own speakers
A headphone or audio output is not the same as a built-in speaker. Roland lists built-in speakers for the RD-88 EX; Yamaha lists audio and headphone outputs for the CP88.
Decide in advance how you want to listen in the room, and check the connections on the exact model.
Some listening setups may require a suitable external sound system and cable.
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Choosing based only on the number of sounds
Extra sounds or zones don’t automatically make a piano more suitable for an intro played with a single piano sound.
Play your intro on the exact version and try the action, controls and sound changes you need.
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Confusing an extended warranty with your statutory rights
According to the Dutch government, statutory guarantees apply to purchases made by consumers. An extended warranty is a separate consideration only if it genuinely gives you additional rights.
Compare the additional terms with your statutory rights, and keep your proof of purchase.
Brands to consider
Yamaha
The P-225 is a portable digital piano suited to piano-focused practice; the CP88 is a stage piano designed for direct control and connection to an existing sound system.
- Yamaha Netherlands lists 88 GHC keys for the P-225. Yamaha specifies headphone, jack and XLR connections for the CP88.
- The CP88’s connections don’t automatically apply to the P-225; check the version you choose.
Roland
According to Roland, the RD-88 EX combines stage features with built-in stereo speakers; the RD-2000 EX is a separate stage model.
- Roland lists 88 weighted keys, Scenes and three zones for layers and splits for the RD-88 EX.
- The RD-88 EX’s features don’t automatically apply to other RD models. Roland describes the sound quality and portability itself; this is not an independent performance test.
Kawai
Kawai describes the ES120 as a portable digital piano designed, among other things, for use in teaching spaces.
- Kawai lists a metronome, song recorder and line outputs for the ES120.
- These specifications don’t tell you which action you’ll prefer; try the keyboard with your own intro.
Nord
According to the manufacturer, the Piano 6 is designed around piano sounds, layers and direct control.
- Nord specifies versions with 73 or 88 keys, a headphone output and two audio outputs.
- Check which version you’re choosing and how it connects to the room’s listening setup. The manufacturer’s description is not an independent comparison.
Casio
The Privia PX-S1100 is a compact, portable digital piano for anyone short on space.
- Casio lists a depth of 232 mm and built-in speakers for the PX-S1100.
- Check that the instrument and your preferred listening setup suit the available space and the room’s rules.
Joybuy products
This selection of Joybuy products is suited to practising a song intro on a portable digital piano with built-in speakers and a headphone connection.
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MLS-931 digital piano, black, 61 keys
Could suit you if you’re looking for a portable piano to practise in the room through built-in speakers or headphones; check whether 61 keys are enough for your intro.
61 keys and a weighted keyboard.
300 sounds and 300 rhythms.
Built-in speakers, a headphone connection and USB-MIDI.
Frequently asked questions
What if you can only practise with headphones?
Check the headphone output and plug size on the exact version. Yamaha specifies a 6.3 mm stereo output for the CP88, and Nord specifies a 6.35 mm stereo output for the Piano 6. Start at a low volume; Arboportaal warns that sound can still be harmful even when it sounds comfortable if the level is too high.
Does the music room need an amplifier?
Not for every model: Roland lists built-in stereo speakers for the RD-88 EX. For another piano, check how you can hear the sound from that particular version; a headphone or line output is not a built-in speaker.
How can you practise the same intro without rebuilding the settings every time?
Check whether the piano you choose can save the settings you need for your intro. Roland describes Scenes for the RD-88 EX, while Kawai lists a metronome and song recorder for the ES120. Which feature is useful depends on what you want to repeat while practising.
Who should you contact if a piano you bought as a consumer in the Netherlands develops a fault?
For a statutory guarantee, contact the seller. According to the Dutch government, the Netherlands has no fixed statutory guarantee period; what you can expect from the product depends, among other things, on the product itself and the information given at the time of purchase.
Do you always have 14 days to change your mind when buying online?
No. The Dutch government states that a 14-day cooling-off period often applies to distance purchases from a business, but there are exceptions, and buying from a business is different from buying from a private seller. Check which terms apply to your purchase.