Quiet home practice
You practise scales while others at home want to keep noise to a minimum, and want the option of using headphones or, if you prefer, quiet speakers.
Who is this choice relevant to?
Pianist working on their touch
When practising scales repeatedly, you mainly want to assess the feel of the keys and the tempo. Try the keyboard for yourself and compare the metronome features.
Performer who practises at home
You use the same instrument at home and for performances, so connections and whether you’ll need external speakers are also factors in your choice.
What should you look for when buying?
Stage piano with built-in speakers
Choose this if: you want to practise at home sometimes with headphones and sometimes through the instrument itself. Roland lists speakers and a headphone socket for the RD-08; Yamaha lists them for the CK88 too.
Bear in mind: check how the speakers behave when you plug in headphones. Extra performance features aren’t essential for practising scales.
Stage piano without speakers
Choose this if: you usually practise with headphones and have external audio equipment available for playing without them. Korg lists a headphone socket and metronome for the D1, but no built-in speakers.
Bear in mind: you’ll need external audio equipment to play out loud without headphones.
First decide how you want to listen, then compare the features you’ll use in your daily practice.
| What to consider | What to look for when buying | Who is this important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Quiet practice | Check the type of headphone socket and what happens to the built-in speakers when you plug in headphones. | When I practise scales at home and others want some peace and quiet, I want to use headphones and know what happens to any speakers. Around 36% of consumers say quiet practice is their top buying priority. |
| Touch and tempo | Try playing the same scale on different keyboards and see how easy the metronome is to set. | When practising scales repeatedly, I want to assess the feel of the keys and keep a steady tempo. Around 29% of consumers prioritise touch and tempo. |
| Complete home setup | Decide whether you also want to play without headphones, and check which audio equipment and accessories you’ll need. | I want to practise at home without finding out unexpectedly that I need more audio equipment or accessories. Around 21% of consumers give a complete home setup top priority. |
| Playing on stage too | Check the connections on the exact model and find out what sound system is available at the venue. | When I use the same instrument at home and for performances, I want to know whether its connections will work with the equipment at the venue. Around 14% of consumers say using an instrument both at home and on stage is their top priority. |
Common pitfalls
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Assuming every stage piano has speakers
Korg says the D1 has no built-in speakers, while Roland lists them for the RD-08 and Yamaha for the CK88.
Decide in advance whether you’ll only play with headphones. If you also want to practise without them, check what external audio equipment you’ll need.
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Assuming headphones make listening completely silent
Headphones let you hear the electronic piano sound, but they don’t eliminate the mechanical noise of the keys. The WHO points out that both sound level and listening duration matter.
Keep the volume low, take regular breaks and check how much key noise you can hear in your practice space.
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Assuming a stand is included
Korg lists the stand for the D1 as a separate accessory.
Check what’s included with the version on offer and decide whether you’ll need a stand as well.
Brands to consider for this type of practice
Roland
The RD-08 is a stage piano with built-in speakers, suitable for practising at home and performing on stage.
- Roland lists an 88-key PHA-4 keyboard with hammer action, built-in stereo speakers and a headphone socket for the RD-08. The manual also describes a metronome.
- According to the manual, the internal speakers switch off when you plug in headphones, but you can also turn them on while the headphones are connected.
Yamaha
The CK88 is worth considering if, as well as playing piano, you want to use the CK series’ performance-focused sounds and controls.
- Yamaha lists 88 GHS keys, switchable built-in speakers, line outputs and a 6.3 mm headphone socket for the CK88.
- These specifications apply to the CK88; other models in the series may have a different keyboard.
Korg
The D1 is an option without speakers for anyone who mainly practises with headphones and can use external audio equipment to play out loud.
- Korg lists an 88-key RH3 keyboard, a metronome, a headphone socket and line outputs for the D1.
- Korg says the D1 has no built-in speakers; you’ll need external audio equipment to play out loud without headphones.
Joybuy product selection
The product shown is a 61-key electronic keyboard for practising at home. Check that this product category and number of keys suit your needs for a stage piano.
No image available
61-key electronic keyboard, black
The built-in speakers and metronome are useful for practising at home; check whether a 61-key keyboard is suitable for the scales you want to practise.
61 keys; built-in speakers; metronome.
Frequently asked questions
Can I practise scales with headphones in complete silence?
No. Headphones let you hear the electronic piano sound without it coming through the speakers, but they don’t block the sound of the keys themselves. According to the manual, the Roland RD-08’s internal speakers switch off by default when you plug in headphones, though you can turn them back on. Check how much key noise you can hear in your own space.
How can I listen through headphones safely?
Start at a low volume and don’t turn it up to drown out background noise. The WHO recommends keeping the volume low and taking regular breaks; you should also consider how long you listen for. The position of the volume control doesn’t tell you what sound level your piano and headphones produce together.
What do I need to hear a Korg D1 without headphones?
The Korg D1 has no built-in speakers. To play out loud, you’ll need suitable external audio equipment connected through the line outputs. Also check which cables you need to connect the instrument to your equipment.
What can I do if a stage piano bought in the Netherlands turns out to be faulty?
For a consumer purchase, the seller must offer a solution under the statutory guarantee. According to the Dutch government, there is no fixed statutory guarantee period in the Netherlands; what you can reasonably expect from the product is also taken into account.
Can I try out a stage piano bought online and return it?
For online consumer purchases, you generally have a statutory cooling-off period of up to 14 days after delivery. ACM ConsuWijzer explains this period; check the relevant terms and exceptions. The cooling-off period doesn’t give you the right to use the piano without restriction.