Who is this relevant for?

Pianists developing their bass patterns

You want to practise low notes with your left hand and may eventually want to use the full piano range. That makes the number of keys and the key action important factors in your choice.

Players with a compact practice space

You have limited width available and are comparing a shorter hammer-action keyboard with compact 88-key models. The depth, including the music rest, may also be a deciding factor.

Home players who want to practise quietly

You want to practise with headphones and need to decide whether you also need built-in speakers.

What should you look for when choosing?

First compare the range of notes you need with the available width. Then consider the complete set-up, sound output and whether you may need to move the instrument.

What to consider What to check before buying Who should consider this?
Range and key action Compare the lowest and highest notes in your exercises with the keyboard’s range, and check the key action on the exact model. I want to play bass patterns without having to move notes outside the keyboard’s range, and I’m looking for weighted keys; around 36% of consumers give range and key action their top priority.
Space required Measure the available width and depth, both with and without the music rest. I have limited space and want to know whether the piano will really fit with the music rest and stand; around 29% of consumers give the space required their top priority.
Sound at home Check whether the model has a headphone socket and built-in speakers, and whether you’ll need external audio equipment. I want to practise privately, but sometimes play without headphones too; around 21% of consumers give the combination of quiet practice and sound output their top priority.
Moving and setting up Compare the stated weight and check which parts are actually included. I want to be able to move the instrument and then set it up with everything I need; around 14% of consumers give portability and the parts needed for set-up their top priority.

Common buying mistakes

  • Comparing the depth of the casing alone

    A music rest can affect the depth you need. Korg lists separate measurements for the D1 with and without the music rest.

    Measure the complete playing set-up, including the music rest and the stand you plan to use.

  • Assuming a stage piano without speakers has built-in speakers

    According to Korg, the D1 has no built-in speakers, but it does have a headphone socket and line outputs.

    Decide in advance whether headphones will be enough or whether you’ll need external sound output.

    You may need external audio equipment to play aloud without headphones, so allow space for it in your set-up too.

  • Assuming the pedal, music rest and stand are always included

    What’s included varies by model and version. Korg lists a damper pedal as included with the D1 and the stand as sold separately; Yamaha lists an optional three-pedal LP-5A unit for the P-145.

    Check what’s included with the exact version and decide which accessories you actually need.

    A stand you need or an extra pedal you want may have to be bought separately.

Brands worth comparing

Studiologic

The Numa X Piano 73 is a 73-key stage piano for anyone considering a shorter hammer-action keyboard.

  • Studiologic specifies a width of 105,2 cm and a TP/110 hammer-action keyboard.
  • Check that the 73-key range suits your exercises. A sustain pedal and adapter are listed as included.

Yamaha

The P-145 is a portable 88-key digital piano for piano-focused practice, if you have enough room for it.

  • Yamaha specifies a GHC hammer-action keyboard and a width of 132,6 cm.
  • The optional LP-5A three-pedal unit isn’t included with the basic piano. Allow for the extra depth if you use the music rest.

Roland

The FP-10 is a portable 88-key digital piano with weighted keys, suitable for practising with headphones or its built-in speakers.

  • Roland lists a PHA-4 Standard keyboard, built-in speakers and a metronome.
  • The DP-10 pedal for half-pedalling is listed as optional; don’t assume every pedal offers this feature.

Korg

The D1 is a stage piano without built-in speakers for anyone who wants 88 keys and can use headphones or external sound output.

  • Korg specifies 88 RH3 keys, headphone and line outputs, and an included damper pedal.
  • It has no built-in speakers, and the stand is sold separately.

Casio

The CDP-S110BK is a digital piano worth comparing if a shallow casing is important to you.

  • Casio lists a casing depth of 232 mm, a Scaled Hammer Action Keyboard II, a PHONES/OUTPUT socket and an SP-3 sustain pedal included.
  • A shallow casing doesn’t, on its own, tell you whether the instrument will fit the available width.

Joybuy products

The Joybuy products below are 61-key digital pianos for piano-focused practice. Check whether this range is enough for your left-hand patterns.

MLS-931 digital piano with 61 keys

MLS-931 digital piano, 61 keys

Could suit you if your left-hand patterns fall within the 61-key range and you’re looking for weighted keys.

The product name lists a weighted keyboard, 300 sounds, 300 rhythms, an LCD screen, USB-MIDI, speakers and a headphone socket.

View at Joybuy
Electronic keyboard piano with 61 keys

Electronic keyboard piano, 61 keys

Could suit you if your exercises fall within the 61-key range and you want to use a built-in metronome.

The product name lists a MIDI controller, recording function, speakers, metronome and music stand.

View at Joybuy

Frequently asked questions

How can you tell whether 73 keys are enough for your left-hand exercises?

Note the lowest and highest notes in a few exercises you do now and plan to do in future, then check that they fall within the range of the exact 73-key model. The number of keys or the narrower width alone won’t tell you for sure.

What should you measure before setting up a stage piano?

Measure the width and depth of the space, allowing room to play and for the music rest and chosen stand. For example, Korg lists the D1 as 26,3 cm deep without the music rest and 37,5 cm with it.

Do you need extra equipment for a stage piano without speakers?

Not if you only play through compatible headphones. If you want to play the Korg D1 aloud without headphones, plan to use external sound output via the line outputs; this model has no built-in speakers.

What are your rights when buying a piano online or if it turns out to be faulty?

According to the Government of the Netherlands, when you buy from a business at a distance, you generally have a 14-day cooling-off period in many cases. If a product isn’t working properly, the seller is your first point of contact for a solution; don’t assume there is one fixed guarantee period for every model.

Is CE marking relevant for an electric stage piano in the Netherlands?

CE marking is relevant if the specific piano falls under EU rules that require it. The European Commission explains that the manufacturer uses the marking to declare that the product meets the applicable rules; it isn’t a certificate issued independently. Check the product information for the exact model, especially if it’s imported.