Quiet chord practiser
You share your home and mainly want to practise with headphones. Remember to factor in the sound of the keys and any agreements you have with the people you live with.
Start with a piano you can practise on using a suitable pair of headphones, then try out the touch and range with your own chords. Measure the complete setup too, and check the pedal and metronome: headphones won’t automatically make the sound of the keys or pedal inaudible to the people you live with.
You share your home and mainly want to practise with headphones. Remember to factor in the sound of the keys and any agreements you have with the people you live with.
You want to practise chord shapes and changes on a weighted keyboard, and see whether the range and touch suit the way you play.
You put your instrument away after playing and want to know whether it will fit in your available space with the stand, seat and pedal.
First, decide how you want to listen without using the speakers. Then test the key range and touch, and measure the entire playing area, including the stand and pedal.
| What to consider | What should you check? | Who is this most important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Practising without speaker sound | Check the connection on the exact model, whether your headphone plug fits and whether Bluetooth headphones are supported. | I share my home and want to practise with headphones, without assuming the keys and pedal will be silent; around 36% of consumers put practising without speaker sound at the top of their list. |
| Touch and range | Play your lowest bass note and highest chord note at the same time, and try repeating chord changes on the keyboard. | I want enough range for chord shapes and a touch that suits the way I play; around 29% of consumers prioritise range and piano-style touch. |
| Setting up and storage | Measure the space and access route, allowing for the instrument, stand, seat and pedal. | If I need to clear my practice space afterwards, I want to know whether the whole setup will fit; around 21% of consumers put space for setup and storage first. |
| Metronome and pedal | Check that the practice feature you want is included, and find out which pedal or stand is supplied with that version. | I want to practise with a steady beat or a particular pedal, and know in advance what’s included in the set; around 14% of consumers prioritise tempo and pedal use. |
Headphones stop sound coming from the speakers, but they won’t automatically make the keys or pedal inaudible to the people you live with.
Try the setup at home and, if needed, agree practice times with the people you live with.
According to Roland, the FP-10 does not support Bluetooth headphones.
Check which Bluetooth feature is supported on the exact model, and which plug your headphones need.
If you don’t already have one, you may need wired headphones or a suitable plug for the FP-10.
You need to allow space for the complete setup. The LP-5A three-pedal unit for the Yamaha P-145 is optional; the PU-2 pedal unit for the Korg B2+ is sold separately.
Measure your playing space and check what’s included with the version you’re considering, as well as its compatibility.
A suitable stand or upgraded pedal unit may be a separate accessory, so check whether you need one for your setup.
The P-145 is a portable piano for anyone looking for an 88-key keyboard with a headphone socket.
The FP-10 is a piano-focused option with 88 keys, a headphone socket and a metronome.
The CDP-S110BK is a portable piano with a headphone socket and a damper pedal included.
The ES120 may suit you if you want two headphone sockets or are considering adding a stand and pedal unit.
The B2+ is an option with 88 keys, a headphone output and a damper pedal included.
These picks are 61-key instruments with a headphone socket and metronome. Check that their range and touch suit the chord shapes you want to practise.
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An option if 61 keys are enough for you and you want to practise using a weighted keyboard, headphones and a metronome.
61 keys; weighted keyboard; headphone socket; metronome; USB-MIDI.
Headphones stop sound coming from the speakers, but they won’t automatically make the keys or pedal inaudible to the people you live with.
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An option if you’re looking for a 61-key range and want to use headphones and a metronome while practising.
61 keys; piano-style layout; headphone socket; metronome; recording function; USB-MIDI.
Try your own chords to check whether the key range is enough. Headphones won’t automatically make the keys or pedal inaudible to the people you live with.
No. According to Roland, the FP-10 does not support Bluetooth headphones; use wired headphones instead.
Start with the headphone volume low and take breaks. The World Health Organization (WHO) points out that sound level, listening time and frequency of exposure are all linked to hearing risks.
That varies by model and version. Casio lists an SP-3 damper pedal with the CDP-S110BK; Yamaha says the LP-5A three-pedal unit for the P-145 is optional, while Korg’s PU-2 for the B2+ is sold separately. Check what’s included with the specific set.
For distance purchases, the Dutch government says you generally have a 14-day cooling-off period. It also states that there is no fixed statutory warranty period in the Netherlands. If something is faulty, contact the seller and check the terms of your purchase.
Using headphones doesn’t automatically mean you can practise at any time. The Dutch government says there are no national statutory noise limits for noise between neighbours, and local councils may set their own rules. Check your council’s rules and any agreements where you live.