Pianists refining an intro
Practise soft and powerful keystrokes, repeated notes and any pedal changes on the exact model. Yamaha and Roland list different keyboard actions, but those specifications won’t tell you which feel is right for your intro.
Who is this guide for?
Players short on practice space
You need room not just for the instrument, but also for the stand, your seat and possibly sheet music. Decide in advance whether you want to play without a separate amplifier, and measure the full set-up.
Players who change sounds at rehearsals
If you’ll also play the intro at rehearsals, easily accessible sounds or saved settings may come in handy. Roland describes Scene settings for the RD-08; Korg offers the SV-2 series in 73- and 88-key versions.
What should you look for when buying?
First compare the touch and pedal control your intro requires. Then measure the space for the instrument and the full set-up, and decide how you want to listen. A stage piano is most useful if you’ll actually use its extra sound controls or built-in speakers.
| What to consider | What should you check? | Who is this important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Touch and pedalling | Play your intro softly and loudly on the exact model. Check whether the pedal is included and which add-on is compatible. | If I want to practise soft notes, repeated keystrokes or pedal changes precisely, I try my own passage on the keyboard. Around 33% of consumers prioritise touch and pedalling. |
| Dimensions and set-up | Measure the available width and depth, then compare them with the instrument and the stand you’ve chosen. | In a small practice room, the piano needs to fit without compromising my seating position or access to the controls. Around 27% of consumers give available playing space top priority. |
| Listening without disturbing others | Check the headphone sockets and speakers on the exact version. Headphones won’t eliminate the mechanical sound of the keys. | If I share the room, I want to plan my practice set-up around using headphones or listening through the speakers. Around 20% of consumers prioritise quiet or independent listening. |
| Changing sounds at rehearsals | Decide which sounds your song calls for and whether you can quickly access the settings you need while playing. | If I also want to play the intro with different sounds at a rehearsal, easily accessible settings are more useful than extra controls for just one piano sound. Around 20% of consumers give changing sounds top priority. |
Common pitfalls
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Measuring only the cabinet depth
A compact cabinet doesn’t guarantee that the complete playing set-up will fit. A stand, seat, music rest and pedals can all take up space too.
Measure the space and check the dimensions and box contents for the exact version, including the stand and pedals.
A suitable stand or pedal add-on may be sold separately. Check what’s included with the version before planning your set-up.
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Assuming every stage piano has built-in speakers
Built-in speakers vary by model and version. Korg specifies amplification for the SV-2S; don’t assume the SV-2 without the S has the same feature.
Check the full model number and listening connections. If necessary, arrange headphones or external speakers.
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Treating a manufacturer’s description as a playing test
A description of the keyboard action won’t tell you how your own song intro will feel on the instrument.
Try the same passage on the models that suit your space and listening set-up.
Brands and models to consider
Roland
The RD-08 is a stage piano with built-in speakers and direct controls; the FP-30X is a separate range of portable pianos.
- Roland describes saved Scene settings and built-in speakers for the RD-08.
- According to Roland, the FP-30X has two headphone outputs.
- These are features of specific models; manufacturers’ descriptions of sound and feel are not independent comparisons.
Yamaha
The P-225 is a portable digital piano for anyone mainly practising the piano part of an intro.
- Yamaha specifies 88 GHC keys and dimensions of 1.326 × 272 mm without the music rest.
- The three-pedal unit is optional. The cabinet dimensions don’t show how much space the complete set-up will need.
Casio
The Privia PX-S1100BK may be worth considering if the depth of the instrument’s cabinet is a key concern.
- Casio specifies a cabinet depth of 232 mm for the PX-S1100BK.
- The cabinet dimensions alone won’t tell you whether the stand, seat and controls will also fit in the space.
Kawai
The ES120 is a portable digital piano with options for a permanent set-up and headphone practice.
- Kawai specifies two headphone sockets.
- The stand and three-pedal unit are optional. Check the version and bundle you’re considering.
Korg
The SV-2 series is a stage piano option for players who want to use electric piano sounds in their intro.
- Korg specifies versions with 73 or 88 keys.
- Built-in amplification is specified for the SV-2S, not the SV-2 without the S.
Joybuy products
The Joybuy options below are 61-key instruments for practice; check that the range of keys and the listed features suit your song intro.
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61-key electronic keyboard
May suit an intro that doesn’t need more than 61 keys and where you want to use a metronome.
According to the product title: 61 keys, speakers, metronome, recording function and music rest. Check that the range of keys suits your passage.
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MLS-931 digital piano with 61 weighted keys
May suit you if you want to use features such as touch sensitivity and a metronome while practising; check whether 61 keys are enough for your intro.
According to the product title: 61 weighted keys, 300 sounds, 300 rhythms, LCD, USB-MIDI, speakers, headphone socket and music rest.
Frequently asked questions
How can you test whether a piano is right for your song intro?
Play your intro on the exact model, using the soft and powerful keystrokes you need, and try the pedal too if the passage calls for it. Manufacturers describe different keyboards, but those specifications won’t tell you which feel works for you.
Do you always need a separate amplifier for a stage piano?
No, not with every version. Roland specifies built-in speakers for the RD-08, and Korg specifies built-in amplification for the SV-2S. Check the exact model; if your version doesn’t have built-in speakers, arrange suitable headphones or an external listening set-up.
What should you check before placing a piano in your practice room?
Measure the space, including the stand you intend to use, and consult the manual for your chosen model for instructions on positioning and power. For the ES120, Kawai specifies, among other things, that the plug must remain accessible and that the correct mains voltage must be used; check the manuals for other models separately.
What if you’re not happy with a piano you bought online?
According to the Dutch government, in many cases you have a 14-day cooling-off period when buying remotely from a business. There are exceptions, and the rules for distance selling don’t apply in the same way when buying from a private seller; check which rules apply to your order.
Who can help if the piano is faulty, and how long does the legal guarantee last?
According to the Dutch government, if a product is faulty, the seller must provide a solution. The Netherlands has no set legal guarantee period for all products; what you can reasonably expect depends, among other things, on the product, its price and whether it’s new or second-hand.