Choosing your first keyboard
A keyboard is the most popular first instrument we sell, and the range can be confusing. Here's how to narrow it down.
Start with what you want to play
- Learning piano properly (graded exams, classical pieces): a digital piano with 88 weighted keys feels closest to an acoustic piano and builds the right finger strength.
- Songs, church music, having fun: a 61-key portable keyboard is light, affordable and has hundreds of sounds and rhythms to play along with.
- Playing in a band or at functions: an arranger workstation such as Yamaha's PSR-SX series adds professional styles, sounds and live controls.
Features worth paying for
- Touch-sensitive keys. Notes get louder the harder you press. This is essential for playing with expression, and it's the most important feature on a beginner keyboard.
- Number of keys. 61 keys is enough for most beginner pieces. Pianists will eventually want 76 or 88.
- A headphone socket. For practising without disturbing the house.
- A lesson function or app connection. Helpful for self-learners.
Don't forget
- A stand and a stool at the right height. Playing on a bed or a table leads to bad posture.
- A sustain pedal, which pianists use from an early stage.
- A dust cover. Colombo's dust and humidity are hard on keys and buttons.
Our advice
If you're unsure, buy one step above the cheapest model with touch-sensitive keys. Students quickly outgrow the most basic keyboards, and a better one keeps them playing for longer.