Who is this guide for?

Piano exam candidate

You’re practising piano pieces, dynamics and possibly pedal technique. Choose a keyboard that meets the requirements for your exam route and grade; ABRSM and Trinity set out their own requirements.

Keyboard exam candidate

You’re practising sounds, chords and accompaniment. Trinity covers these skills in a separate exam route for electronic keyboard.

Practising in a shared room

You’re looking for a setup that fits your available space and lets you practise with headphones if needed, without losing sight of your exam’s keyboard or pedal requirements.

What should you consider when buying?

Digital piano

Choose this option if: you’re practising piano pieces and technique for a piano exam. ABRSM and Trinity have their own requirements for factors including key type, range and pedal use.

Bear in mind: you’ll need space for a piano keyboard, and you should check whether the version you’re considering includes the required pedal and stand.

Electronic keyboard with accompaniment

Choose this option if: your exam is for electronic keyboard and you need to practise the specified sounds and accompaniment patterns. Trinity covers these skills in its keyboard exam route.

Bear in mind: a keyboard with fewer keys or a different type of touch won’t automatically meet the requirements of a piano exam.

What to consider What should you check? Who should pay particular attention?
Exam requirements Check the exam subject, exam board, grade, current syllabus and the range of your pieces. I want to know first whether the instrument suits my exam subject and repertoire; around 36% of consumers are most concerned about whether it’s suitable for their exam.
Key action and pedal Compare the required key type and pedal setup with the specifications of the exact model. If I’m practising piano technique and dynamics, I want to know whether the key action and pedal options suit my pieces; around 29% of consumers put this first.
Practice room setup Measure the available width and depth, and check whether the model has a headphone socket. In a shared practice room, I want to be able to fit the instrument into the space and practise with headphones if needed; around 21% of consumers put their practice room setup first.
Complete setup Check which pedal, stand and other necessary parts are included or available separately with each version. I want to know in advance which parts I’ll need for a practical setup; around 14% of consumers focus mainly on having a complete setup.

Which pitfalls can you avoid?

  • Confusing ‘touch-sensitive’ with ‘weighted’

    Touch-sensitive keys aren’t automatically weighted keys. For its piano exam route, ABRSM specifies, among other things, full-size weighted keys.

    Compare the explicitly stated key type with your exam requirements rather than relying on the term ‘touch-sensitive’ alone.

  • Treating a piano exam and a keyboard exam as the same buying decision

    Trinity describes piano and electronic keyboard as separate exam routes, each with different instrument and practice requirements.

    First identify your exam subject and grade; then choose an instrument that lets you practise the relevant pieces and skills.

  • Assuming a stand or pedal unit is included

    The stand and PU-2 pedal unit for the Korg B2+ are available separately. For half-pedal technique on the FP-10, Roland specifies the optional DP-10.

    Check what’s in the box and which accessories are compatible with the exact version before putting your setup together.

Brands to consider

Yamaha

Yamaha offers both a digital piano and a separate keyboard with accompaniment features as examples for different practice needs.

  • Yamaha says the P-145 has 88 GHC keys and is 1.326 mm wide. The PSR-E383 has 61 touch-sensitive keys and 260 accompaniment styles.
  • The PSR-E383 specifications don’t confirm that this model meets piano exam requirements. Check your exam route and pieces.

Casio

The CDP-S110BK is a digital piano for anyone looking for a piano setup with limited depth available.

  • Casio lists a depth of 232 mm, a scaled hammer-action keyboard and an included SP-3 sustain pedal.
  • Check that the key action and pedal response suit your pieces; the model specifications don’t provide an independent assessment of how it feels to play.

Korg

The B2+ is an 88-key digital piano for a piano-focused practice setup.

  • Korg lists NH keys, a headphone socket and an included damper pedal.
  • The stand and PU-2 pedal unit for half-pedal operation are listed as accessories available separately. Don’t confuse the B2+ with the B2.

Roland

The FP-10 is a digital piano with an 88-key PHA-4 Standard keyboard.

  • Roland lists built-in speakers, headphone use and a metronome.
  • The optional DP-10 is required for the half-pedal technique described by Roland. Claims about the acoustic playing feel are Roland’s own, not the result of independent testing.

Keyboards for practising with accompaniment

These Joybuy picks are 61-key keyboards for practising with keyboard sounds and accompaniment. Before your exam, check that the key range and features suit your pieces and syllabus.

MLS-931 61-key keyboard

MLS-931 61-key keyboard

Suitable for practising keyboard sounds and rhythms; check whether 61 keys cover the range of your exam pieces.

Listed features include a weighted, touch-sensitive keyboard, 300 sounds, 300 rhythms, an LCD screen and USB-MIDI.

The product name lists built-in speakers, a headphone socket and a music stand.

View on Joybuy
61-key keyboard with recording function

61-key keyboard with recording function

Suitable for practising keyboard sounds and rhythms; compare its 61 keys with the range your exam pieces require.

The product information lists 500 sounds, 300 rhythms, USB-MIDI, a recording function and a metronome.

Speakers, a headphone socket and a music stand are also listed.

View on Joybuy

Frequently asked questions

Are 61 keys enough for my piano exam?

Don’t assume they are: requirements depend on your exam board, grade and pieces. For its Practical Music Grades, ABRSM specifies, among other things, a piano sound, full-size weighted keys and a sufficient range. Also check Trinity’s requirements for individual pieces.

What changes if my exam is for electronic keyboard?

You’ll need to be able to practise the keyboard skills in your syllabus. Trinity specifies playing with different sounds and accompaniment patterns; check the features and range required for your pieces at each grade.

How can I check whether an instrument will fit in a shared practice room?

Measure the space where you plan to set it up, allowing room for a music rest and pedal. Yamaha specifies a width of 1.326 mm for the P-145; Korg specifies dimensions of 1.312 × 336 mm for the B2+, excluding the music rest. Compare these measurements with your available space and check whether the version you’re considering has a headphone socket.

Which accessories should I check for a complete practice setup?

For the exact version, check whether the required pedal and stand are included and which accessories are available separately. The stand and PU-2 pedal unit for the Korg B2+ are listed separately; Roland specifies an optional DP-10 for half-pedal technique on the FP-10.

What returns period and warranty apply to online purchases in the Netherlands?

According to the ACM, online consumer purchases usually come with a 14-day cooling-off period from the date the product is delivered, although there are exceptions. Your statutory guarantee is separate and depends on what you could reasonably expect from the product; a manufacturer’s guarantee doesn’t replace your statutory rights.