Keyboard Buying Guide for Online Piano Lessons

If you are getting a setup specifically for young children starting out, or you're a beginner yourself, you don't need to spend a fortune on a big digital piano right away. A 61 to 88-key unweighted keyboard is completely sufficient for learning music basics, rhythm, and melody. Just make sure to get a keyboard with touch-sensitive keys, meaning you can play loud and soft on it.

• Yamaha PSR-E383 (~$200)
  A fantastic 61-key touch-sensitive keyboard. The touch sensitivity lets children practice dynamic volume control as they press keys lighter or harder.

The following keyboards are good first instruments for people starting piano.

• Alesis Recital Pro (~$350)
  A budget-friendly entry point featuring 88 hammer-action keys and clear built-in speakers.
• Yamaha P-145 (~$500)
  A reliable 88-key weighted digital piano featuring Yamaha's Graded Hammer Compact (GHC) action. Compact, durable, and one of my top recommendations.
• Roland FP-10 (~$500)
  Offers Roland's PHA-4 Standard hammer action, providing authentic key touch at an accessible price point.

If you've played piano before or have taken lessons for a year or two, you might want to upgrade to a keyboard with a richer acoustic sound, better speaker output, and more precise key resistance for better dynamic control.

• Roland FP-30X (~$700)
  Features Roland's SuperNATURAL sound engine, powerful internal speakers, and Bluetooth connectivity for backing tracks.
• Yamaha P-225 (~$750)
  A slim-body instrument modeled after Yamaha's CFX concert grand voice, offering detailed dynamic control.

Designed for experienced piano students seeking realistic key textures, wooden touch elements, and maximum acoustic realism. At this price point, any digital keyboard with 88 keys from the 3 big brands (Kawai, Roland and Yamaha) is going to be a decent choice. To see what's the best fit for you, I recommend going to a music store and trying out a few keyboards, but here are a couple suggestions.

• Kawai ES120 (~$900)
  Features Kawai's Responsive Hammer Compact key action and samples recorded from their Shigeru Kawai concert grand.
• Roland FP-90X (~$2,000)
  Roland's flagship portable piano featuring hybrid wood/molded keys and advanced acoustic modeling.

Keyboard Stands

A stable stand keeps your keyboard at the correct height and prevents distracting wobbles during practice.

• Double-X Stand (~$40 – $70)
  Almost any double-X stand will be fine. Reinforced double-bar steel legs provide much greater stability than single-X models while remaining easy to fold and store.
• Z-Style Heavy-Duty Stand (~$50 – $90)
  Provides maximum stability with complete leg clearance underneath, making it extremely comfortable for long practice sessions.

Pedals, Benches & Accessories

A few practical additions to complete your home setup.

• Piano-Style Sustain Pedal (~$20 – $35)
  I recommend only pedals that look like piano pedals. The M-Audio SP-2 is a great and affordable choice.
• Adjustable Keyboard Bench (~$30 – $80)
  An adjustable padded seat allows you or your child to set the exact elbow height needed for comfortable playing.
• Wired Studio Headphones (~$30 – $100)
  The better your headphones are, the more beautiful your instrument will sound through them! A quality pair of over-ear headphones makes a huge difference if you need to practice quietly at home without disturbing others. Make sure to get wired headphones with a 1/4 inch jack connector.