While the piano-to-piano technology in 1on1 Piano will work with almost any keyboard that has MIDI capability, these are some of our favorite keyboards based on value and sound quality.
Casio CT-S1
Most Inexpensive Starter Keyboard ~$175
There are less expensive options from generic brands, but we believe the Casio CT-S1 is worth the price because it is reliable, it has good sound, and it will maintain resale value. Because it has 61 keys, you will want to upgrade after about a year of piano study, so check out our recommendations for weighted full size keyboards below. Get it with this cord for piano-to-piano use.
Yamaha EZ300
Best Starter Keyboard for online lessons ~$210
The Yamaha EZ300 is a solid starter piano, and one of the best features for beginners is the light up keys, which show you exactly what notes the teacher plays when connected to 1on1 Piano via piano-to-piano. Get this cord to connect it to your device. Watch this video on how to configure the voices of the EZ300 for piano-to-piano.
Roland FP-10
Best Value Weighted Keyboard ~$450-500
The Roland FP-10 has great sound quality and an action that supports growth as a musician. The tone and touch rival pianos that cost three times as much. Get this cord for piano-to-piano use.
Yamaha P45B
Lowest Price Quality Weighted Keyboard ~$430
The Yamaha P-45 is a reliable workhorse piano. The action is graded (the bass is heavier than the treble like an acoustic piano), so you will learn the touch of an acoustic piano. Get this cord to connect it to your device.
Casio CDP-S360
Lightest Weighted Keyboard ~$550
At only 24 lbs, the CDP-S360 is easy to carry. Get this if you need to travel and want a weighted keyboard with a great action and good sound. Get this cord to connect it to your device.
PianoDisc Prodigy II
Pictured is a PianoDisc Prodigy II System in a George Steck Piano, being played by student in a piano-to-piano session through 1on1 Piano. Check out our Instagram for reels of the Prodigy II in action.
The Roland LX-6 has a 5-speaker system that rivals the sound of a grand piano. It has sophisticated pedaling and touch, allowing artist-level playing. Plus, you will never have to tune it. Get this cord for piano-to-piano use, or use the built-in Bluetooth MIDI.
From Casio: “These digital pianos incorporate tones developed from three world-famous grand pianos, a keyboard system employing the same materials and dynamic mechanisms as grand pianos, and a sound system that delivers the rich, natural tone quality and sound field of an acoustic grand piano.” Get this cord to connect it to your device or use the included Bluetooth MIDI adapter.
A Note About Starter Pianos, Weighted Keyboards, Premium Digital Pianos, and Hybrids Pianos
61-key starter keyboards are a great way to get a taste of piano. As you improve, you will want to upgrade to an 88-key weighted keyboard because you will need more keys as your range increases, and you will need weighted keys so that you can learn refinement in touch and articulation (those things which make music special). The best value is to buy a weighted keyboard without a cabinet, and use it on a stand, because the keyboards in a cabinet are often very similar to the ones without a cabinet but with a significant price markup. The price of a premium piano is worth it only if it has additional speakers, which add to the tone quality of the piano. For the ultimate experience, students and teachers can obtain a new or used hybrid piano that moves the keys of an acoustic piano with solenoids to replicate and reproduce the signals from the other users’ piano.
Piano-to-Piano
1on1 Piano is unique because it connects pianos in a call, and it works across all major brands of digital pianos. Unlike casting from Yamaha and Steinway, it is multi-directional in a call, meaning that users can play at the same time. The piano-to-piano function is integrated into a robust video call that supports music-lesson specific functions. Up to 50 pianos can join the call simultaneously, making multi-institutional masterclasses and concerts possible. Click here to find out more about piano-to-piano.
Pedals and Stands
Our favorite stand for weighted keyboards is the Liquid Stands Z-Stand
Liquid Stand Z stand
$75
Liquid Stands Z stand is easy to assemble and very solid. Height and width are adjustable, so it will fit your keyboard perfectly.
M-Audio Universal Pedal
~$25
The sustain pedals that come with keyboards are often awkward, so we recommend purchasing the M-Audio SP-2