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Keyboards

Our range of keyboards and digital pianos covers portable instruments for learning and stage models with weighted keys for serious practice. The two decisions that matter are how many keys you need and how the keys feel under the fingers, since both affect whether the instrument still suits you in two years. Found it cheaper elsewhere? We will match the price.

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How many keys do you need?

A full piano has 88 keys, and anyone learning classical piano or working towards graded exams should aim for that, because pieces will eventually run off the end of a shorter instrument. A 61 key instrument covers most pop, worship and songwriting work and is far easier to carry and to find space for. A 76 key instrument is a sensible middle ground. For a young child starting out, 61 keys is usually plenty, provided you accept it may need replacing if they continue seriously.

Weighted, semi-weighted or unweighted?

Fully weighted or hammer action keys mimic the resistance of an acoustic piano, which is what builds the finger strength and control needed to move between instruments. Semi-weighted keys are lighter but offer some resistance, a reasonable compromise for a portable instrument. Unweighted or synth action keys are springy and light, which suits organ and synthesiser parts and fast playing but teaches poor technique to a beginner pianist. If piano is the goal, prioritise key action over the number of sounds.

Touch sensitivity and polyphony

Touch sensitivity means the instrument plays louder when you strike harder, which is essential for expression and for learning dynamics. Avoid any instrument without it if the player is learning properly. Polyphony is the number of notes that can sound at once, and it includes notes held by the sustain pedal and both halves of layered sounds, so it disappears faster than expected. Sixty four note polyphony is comfortable, and thirty two will cut notes off in dense passages with the pedal down.

Digital piano or portable keyboard?

A digital piano concentrates on doing one thing well: a convincing piano sound and a realistic key action, usually in a furniture style cabinet with three pedals. A portable keyboard offers hundreds of sounds, rhythms and learning features, is lighter and cheaper, and is far more fun for a beginner exploring music. Neither is better in general terms. Buy the piano if the aim is to learn piano, and the keyboard if the aim is to make music broadly.

Pedals, stands and MIDI

A sustain pedal is not optional for piano playing, and a cheap plastic one that slides across the floor will frustrate a learner, so a weighted pedal is worth the small extra. Check whether the instrument has a proper pedal socket rather than only a footswitch input. USB MIDI lets the keyboard control software on a computer or tablet, which is how most modern learning apps and recording work, and it costs nothing extra on most instruments.

Practising without disturbing the household

One of the real advantages of a digital instrument is the headphone socket, which lets a learner practise at any hour. Check the socket is a standard size or that an adaptor is included, and keep the volume moderate, since headphones make it easy to play at a level that is not good for hearing over long sessions. A pair of closed back headphones is the sensible choice, since they keep the sound in.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many keys do I need?
88 for classical piano or graded exams, since pieces eventually need the full range. 61 covers most pop, worship and songwriting and is much easier to transport. 76 is a middle ground, and 61 is usually fine for a young beginner.

What does weighted keys mean and does it matter?
Weighted or hammer action keys resist like an acoustic piano, building the finger control needed to move between instruments. Unweighted keys are springy and suit organ and synth parts but teach poor technique to a learner pianist.

What is polyphony and how much do I need?
The number of notes that can sound simultaneously, including notes held by the sustain pedal and layered sounds, so it is used up faster than expected. Sixty four is comfortable, while thirty two will cut notes in dense passages with the pedal down.

Digital piano or portable keyboard?
A digital piano prioritises a realistic action and piano sound, usually with three pedals in a cabinet. A portable keyboard offers many sounds, rhythms and learning features and is lighter and cheaper. Choose by whether the goal is piano specifically.

Do I need a sustain pedal?
For piano playing, yes. A cheap pedal that slides on the floor frustrates learners, so a weighted one is worth the small extra. Check the instrument has a proper pedal socket rather than only a footswitch input.

Can I practise with headphones?
Yes, and it is one of the main advantages of a digital instrument. Check the socket size or that an adaptor is supplied, use closed back headphones to keep sound in, and keep the volume moderate over long sessions.

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