Practising at home with housemates
You want to repeat your intro while other people are at home. Headphones let you listen to the instrument privately, but the sound of the keys, pedal and stand may still be audible in the room.
Who is this suitable for?
Focusing on the piano passage
You’re practising your timing and dynamics, so you mainly want to find out whether the keyboard action suits your passage. Try playing your own intro, including soft and fast notes.
Practising at home and playing live
You may want to move the instrument or play the same intro with different sounds and settings. In that case, weight and easy-to-use controls may matter as much as the keyboard action.
What should you look for?
Portable digital piano with hammer action
Choose this if: you mainly practise at home and want a piano-style weighted action; built-in speakers may also come in handy.
Consider: check the headphone socket on the specific model and whether the stand and pedal are included in the package.
Stage piano with hammer action, designed for live performance
Choose this if: you’re also preparing the intro for performances or want to call up settings while you play. Roland lists a 88-key PHA-4 keyboard and scene memories for the RD-08.
Consider: live performance features aren’t essential for a single piano passage. Also check the speaker settings when using headphones.
Lightweight stage piano with a semi-weighted keyboard
Choose this if: you move the instrument regularly and portability and choice of sounds matter more to you than hammer action.
Consider: a semi-weighted keyboard uses a different mechanism, so try playing the fast and soft notes in your intro.
| What to consider | What to look for | Who is this important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Practising without disturbing your housemates | Check the headphone socket and speaker settings. Also listen out for the sound of the keys, pedal and stand. | If other people are at home, I want to be able to practise without my set-up making unnecessary noise. Around 36% of consumers say keeping quiet while practising is their top priority. |
| Touch and dynamics | Try the keyboard with your own intro, including fast and soft notes. Pay attention to the difference between hammer action and semi-weighted action. | If timing and dynamics matter in my piano passage, I want to know how the keyboard responds to my playing. Around 29% of consumers prioritise piano-style touch. |
| Space for your set-up | Measure the space for the instrument, stand, stool and sheet music. Compare the dimensions of the complete set-up. | If I have limited space, I want to know in advance whether the instrument and playing area will fit. Around 21% of consumers start by considering the space available at home. |
| Moving the instrument and changing sounds | Check the weight and how you access settings. If you’re considering a semi-weighted keyboard, try one out. | If I move the instrument or want to change sounds while playing, easy-to-use controls matter to me. Around 14% of consumers prioritise portability and changing sounds. |
Common buying mistakes
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Assuming headphones make your practice completely silent
You can listen to the instrument through headphones, but the keys, pedal and contact noise from the set-up may still be audible to your housemates.
Test the complete set-up where you plan to practise and, if needed, agree on suitable practice times.
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Assuming all 88-key instruments feel the same
The Yamaha P-225 and Roland RD-08 are described as having hammer-action keyboards, while Studiologic lists a semi-weighted keyboard for the Numa Compact SE. The number of keys alone doesn’t tell you which mechanism will suit your playing.
Play your own intro on the keyboards you’re considering, and compare how they feel with soft and fast notes too.
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Comparing the instrument on its own
Finding the right piano doesn’t automatically give you a complete practice set-up. Check that the stand, pedal, power supply and headphones are suitable for the model.
Before buying, check what’s included in the exact package and make sure the components are compatible.
Depending on the package, you may need to buy a stand, pedal or headphones separately.
Brands to compare
Yamaha
The P-225 is a portable digital piano for anyone looking for a weighted piano keyboard to use at home.
- Yamaha lists 88 GHC keys, a width of 1.326 mm and a depth of 272 mm for the P-225.
- Check whether the stand and pedal are included in each package. Yamaha also offers an optional console with three pedals.
Roland
The RD-08 is a stage piano designed for live performance, for players who want to call up settings.
- Roland lists an 88-key PHA-4 hammer-action keyboard, scene memories and built-in stereo speakers for the RD-08.
- The manual says the internal speakers normally switch off when headphones are connected, but they can be switched back on. Check the setting while practising.
Kawai
The portable ES120 is an alternative to try if you want to compare a different hammer-action keyboard.
- Kawai describes the ES120 as having a Responsive Hammer Compact keyboard and improved key cushioning.
- That description doesn’t tell you how much mechanical noise you’ll hear at home. Test the instrument where you plan to use it.
Casio
The Privia PX-S1100 is a portable digital piano for anyone who also needs to consider the depth of the case.
- Casio lists a depth of 232 mm for the PX-S1100.
- Remember to measure the space for the stand, stool and sheet music too. The instrument’s depth doesn’t tell you how much room you’ll need to play.
Studiologic
The Numa Compact SE is a lightweight, performance-oriented option for anyone happy with a semi-weighted keyboard.
- According to Studiologic, the Numa Compact SE weighs 7 kg and can be used with headphones or its built-in speakers.
- Its semi-weighted keyboard feels different from the hammer-action models mentioned above. Try it with your own intro.
Joybuy products
These Joybuy picks are 61-key keyboards for practising with headphones. Check that the number of keys and the keyboard action suit the song intro you want to play.
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MLS-931 digital piano, 61 keys
A 61-key model to consider if you want to use headphones and a metronome while practising.
The product information lists a headphone socket, metronome, USB-MIDI, speakers and music rest. Check whether 61 keys are enough for your passage.
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Electronic keyboard piano, 61 keys
A 61-key keyboard piano to consider if you’re looking for practice features such as recording and a metronome.
The product information lists MIDI, a recording function, speakers, a metronome, a headphone socket and a music rest. Check whether the keyboard action suits the feel you want for your intro.
Frequently asked questions
Are headphones enough to make sure nobody can hear me practising?
No. Headphones don’t automatically block the sound of the keys, pedal and stand. Test your set-up in the room where you plan to practise. According to the manual, you can also switch the Roland RD-08’s internal speakers back on after connecting headphones.
How should I set up a piano in a shared home?
Use a stable stand that suits the instrument and test for contact noise where you plan to set it up. Also check the connections for the pedal, power supply and headphones. If your practice is still audible, agree on suitable practice times with your housemates.
What can I expect if a product bought online in the Netherlands is faulty?
When you buy as a consumer, the product must match the agreement; the Netherlands doesn’t have a fixed statutory guarantee period. According to the Dutch government, the seller is your point of contact for a solution. For distance sales, you’ll often have a 14-day cooling-off period, subject to applicable conditions and exceptions.
Can I play the piano at any time in a shared home?
There isn’t one practice time that works for every shared home. The Dutch government recommends agreeing how to manage noise complaints first. You should also follow any rules that apply to your home.