Start with the keyboard you want to use to practise two-handed voicings and pedal technique, then consider how you’ll hear yourself in the rehearsal room. Built-in speakers are handy for practising on your own; if there’s a monitor or PA system available, the piano’s connections may matter more. A 73-key model is easier to transport than an 88-key version, but gives you less range to play with.
You’re practising two-handed shapes, touch and sustain. In that case, the keyboard’s range and feel may matter more than having a wide choice of other sounds. Yamaha and Nord offer stage pianos with 88 keys; the included pedal varies by model.
You want to practise on your own in a room where a monitor isn’t always available. Roland lists built-in stereo speakers for the RD-88 EX; Korg specifically lists them for the SV-2S. Rehearsal rooms vary, so check what’s available at your venue.
You transport your instrument regularly and may switch between piano and electric piano during rehearsals. Compare 73-key and 88-key models, but also check whether the shorter range will suit your left hand, right hand and any splits you use.
Choose this option: if you practise two-handed voicings across different registers and want to try a weighted keyboard.
Bear in mind: the wider playing range takes up more space when transporting and setting up the instrument.
Choose this option: if a suitable monitor isn’t always available, consider the Roland RD-88 EX or the Korg SV-2S, for example.
Bear in mind: built-in speakers don’t automatically replace a connection to the venue’s sound system when you’re playing with a band.
Choose this option: if transport is a priority and you also use electric piano sounds, compare the Yamaha CP73 with the Korg SV-2S 73, for example.
Bear in mind: range, keyboards and speaker configurations vary; don’t treat these models as interchangeable.
For jazz voicings in a rehearsal studio, the main things to consider are the keyboard and its range, your listening setup, transport and switching between sounds.
| What to consider | What should you check? | Who is this important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Touch, range and sustain | Try the exact weighted keyboard with your own voicings; check the number of keys and which sustain or pedal functions are included with that version. | I want to practise with both hands across a wide range and assess the pedal response; around 33% of consumers prioritise touch, playing range and sustain. |
| Audibility and connections | Ask what’s available in the rehearsal room and check the speakers and suitable audio connections on the exact model. | If there isn’t a regular monitor available, I want to be able to hear myself while practising; around 27% of consumers say audibility in the practice room is their main consideration. |
| Transport and setup space | Measure your transport and available space; compare the weight and dimensions of the exact version, and try out your widest voicings. | I transport my instrument regularly and want to know whether the range suits my playing; around 20% of consumers put transport and space first. |
| Switching between sounds | Listen to the piano and electric piano sounds you want, and try out how to recall your settings on the exact instrument. | I want to switch smoothly between piano and electric piano sounds during rehearsals; around 20% of consumers prioritise switching between sounds. |
Speaker configurations vary by model. If the piano doesn’t have built-in speakers, practising on your own may depend on the monitor or studio sound system available.
Check the exact version and ask what equipment is available in your rehearsal room.
You may need a suitable monitor, cable or access to the studio sound system.
Korg lists an internal speaker system specifically for the SV-2S. The version name therefore matters if you want to practise without an external monitor.
Check the full model name on the product page and on the instrument.
A 73-key version has a more limited range than an 88-key model. The keyboard also differs between the CP73 and CP88 in the Yamaha CP series.
Before buying, play your widest voicings and any splits on the exact model.
The CP88 and CP73 give you the choice of 88 or 73 keys.
The RD-88 EX is an 88-key stage piano with built-in stereo speakers.
The SV-2 series is worth considering if acoustic and vintage electric piano sounds are part of your rehearsals.
The Piano 6 series is available with 73 or 88 keys, with direct controls for layers and sounds.
The portable ES920 is a related alternative if piano practice and built-in playback are important to you.
The Joybuy instruments below have 61 keys and are designed for practising within that more compact range; check whether it’s enough for your jazz voicings.
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The title mentions a metronome and built-in speakers for practising without a regular monitor.
61 keys; the product title also mentions a recording function, MIDI controller function and music stand.
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The weighted keys may be useful if you want to practise your touch; check the retailer’s information to see whether this version suits your playing range.
The product title lists 61 weighted keys, USB-MIDI, speakers and a headphone socket.
Also listed are 300 sounds, 300 rhythms, an LCD screen and a music stand.
Not with every version: Roland lists built-in stereo speakers for the RD-88 EX, while Korg lists them specifically for the SV-2S. When playing with others, check which monitor or PA connections and cables are available in your room, as setups vary.
Check which pedal is included and that it’s compatible with the exact model. Yamaha lists an FC3A for the CP88 and CP73; Nord lists a Triple Pedal 2 for the Piano 6. Roland publishes a separate list of suitable stands for the RD-88 EX.
According to Korg, you can create your own splits with the SV-2 Editor and save them as favourites; you can then adjust the split point on the panel. Check whether that workflow suits your rehearsals.
According to the Dutch government, when you buy as a consumer you’re entitled to a product that works as it should, and the seller must offer a solution. The Netherlands doesn’t have a fixed statutory two-year guarantee for every product. If you buy online from a business, you’re also entitled to a 14-day cooling-off period in many cases; check whether any exceptions apply.
