Accompanist playing independently
You mainly practise your own chord and rhythm patterns and want to listen through headphones. Yamaha lists a headphone socket for the CP73 and CP88.
Who is this buying guide for?
Player using automatic accompaniment
You want to use rhythms or backing styles to practise chord changes. Casio and Kawai describe these features for the PX-S3100 and ES920 respectively.
Player with limited space
You need to fit the instrument, stand and playing area into a small room. So compare not only the instrument’s dimensions, but also the space needed for the complete listening and playing set-up.
What should you look for when choosing?
First decide whether you’ll play the accompaniment yourself or use built-in rhythms. Then consider your listening set-up and how much space you have available.
Play the accompaniment yourself
A good fit if: you want to practise chord changes, rhythm and dynamics with your own hands.
Keep in mind: a shorter keyboard takes up less width according to the stated dimensions, but has a smaller range than an 88-key model.
Practise with built-in accompaniment
A good fit if: you want to hear a rhythm or backing style while practising chords or patterns.
Keep in mind: automatic accompaniment takes over a part you may want to learn to play yourself. Check that the styles and controls suit the way you practise.
Switch between sounds
A good fit if: you want to use different sounds, layers or splits while practising.
Keep in mind: extra stage features aren’t necessarily useful if you mainly practise one accompaniment pattern. Also check your listening set-up and which accessories you’ll need.
| What to consider | What to look for | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Quiet practice | Check for a headphone socket and whether the exact model has built-in speakers. Yamaha states that the CP73 and CP88 have no built-in speakers; Roland lists built-in stereo speakers for the RD-88 EX. | If you want to practise without sound coming from speakers, focus on the socket and a suitable pair of headphones; around 36% of consumers give quiet practice top priority. |
| Automatic accompaniment | Check whether the model offers rhythms or automatic accompaniment, and whether the controls suit the chords and patterns you play. Casio lists 200 rhythms and automatic accompaniment for the PX-S3100; Kawai lists a Rhythm Section with 100 styles for the ES920. | If you like practising chords along with a backing rhythm, the available styles and controls will be key; around 29% of consumers prioritise this kind of accompaniment. |
| Space and keyboard | Measure the available width and depth for the instrument, stand, pedal and seat. Yamaha lists 73 keys and a width of 1.086 mm for the CP73, compared with 88 keys and 1.298 mm for the CP88; the Casio PX-S3100’s cabinet depth of 232 mm does not account for the full playing area. | If space is tight, you’ll want to know whether the complete set-up will fit without giving up more of the keyboard range than necessary; around 21% of consumers prioritise the space an instrument takes up. |
| Sounds and controls | Check that the sounds, layers and splits you want are available and easy to control. Roland lists three zones for the RD-88 EX; Nord lists two piano layers and two sample synth layers for the Nord Piano 6. | If you want to switch sounds while practising a pattern, the layers and controls you need matter more than features you won’t use; around 14% of consumers give these options top priority. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming every stage piano has speakers
Yamaha says the CP73 and CP88 have no built-in speakers, while Roland lists them for the RD-88 EX.
Before choosing, decide whether you want to listen through headphones or speakers, and check the specifications for the exact version.
Separate active speakers may be needed if you want to practise audibly without headphones.
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Confusing rhythms with learning to play an accompaniment yourself
Automatic accompaniment can play along with you, but it doesn’t help you practise the same hand movements as playing the part yourself.
Choose a model with automatic accompaniment if that feature suits the way you want to practise.
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Measuring only the instrument’s depth
An instrument’s stated depth doesn’t tell you how much extra room you’ll need for the stand, pedal, seat and freedom of movement.
Measure the space for the complete set-up before you order.
You may need a different stand or a rearranged practice area.
Brands to consider
Casio
The Privia PX-S3100 is a digital piano with rhythms and automatic accompaniment, designed for players who want to use these features when practising.
- Casio Netherlands lists 200 rhythms and automatic accompaniment for the PX-S3100.
- The stated cabinet depth of 232 mm doesn’t include the space needed for the stand, player and pedal.
Kawai
The portable ES920 combines piano keys and built-in speakers with backing styles.
- Kawai lists a 40 W speaker system and a Rhythm Section with 100 styles.
- The stated power output doesn’t tell you how loud or suitable the instrument will sound in your room.
Roland
The RD-88 EX is worth considering if you want stage-focused controls alongside built-in speakers.
- Roland lists built-in stereo speakers and three zones for the RD-88 EX.
- These features apply to the model mentioned and don’t mean every Roland stage piano has speakers.
Yamaha
The CP73 and CP88 are stage-focused keyboards with 73 and 88 keys respectively.
- Yamaha lists a headphone socket for both models.
- Yamaha says the CP73 and CP88 have no built-in speakers; separate active speakers are needed for speaker playback.
Nord
The Nord Piano 6 may suit players who use layers and splits in their arrangements.
- Nord lists two piano layers, two sample synth layers and a 6,35 mm headphone socket.
- These features aren’t necessarily needed if you mainly practise simple accompaniment patterns.
Joybuy products
These Joybuy picks are suited to practising with rhythms and listening quietly through headphones. Check each instrument to see whether its features and keyboard feel suit the way you practise.
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MLS-931 digital piano, 61 weighted keys, black
Suited to practising with rhythmic accompaniment and listening through headphones.
61 weighted keys; 300 sounds and 300 rhythms; speakers and headphone socket.
Also runs on 6 AA batteries, which are not included; an EU mains adaptor is listed.
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Electronic keyboard piano, 61 keys, black
Suited to practising with rhythms and listening through headphones; check that the controls work for your practice patterns.
61 keys; speakers, headphone socket, metronome and music stand.
The product name also mentions a MIDI controller and recording function.
Frequently asked questions
Can I practise on any stage piano without extra equipment?
No, it depends on the model and how you want to listen. Yamaha says the CP73 and CP88 have no built-in speakers, so you’ll need headphones or separate active speakers. Roland lists built-in stereo speakers for the RD-88 EX; check the specifications for each version.
How can I avoid turning my headphones up too loud?
Start with the volume low and use well-fitting headphones. VeiligheidNL recommends a good fit to help block out background noise, so you’re less likely to turn the volume up to drown it out.
If a product is faulty, should I only contact the manufacturer?
No. According to ACM ConsuWijzer, where the statutory guarantee applies, the seller is responsible for providing an appropriate, free solution if a product used normally develops a fault sooner than you could reasonably expect. There isn’t a fixed guarantee period for every product.
Do I have 14 days to change my mind on every online purchase in the Netherlands?
Not always. The Dutch government says that a 14-day cooling-off period applies in many cases when buying at a distance, but there are exceptions and not every purchase is covered by the same rules. Check the terms that apply to your purchase.