This post was updated on: April 22nd 2024
It’s hard for piano learners to keep up with their practicing schedule when traveling. However, you can practice with a digital keyboard to train your fingers control.
In this case, you will need the best piano keyboard for traveling. Scroll down for a list of best options in the market now.
Last update on 2024-04-22 at 13:38 UTC - 4/ Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Top 5 Best Piano Keyboards For Traveling
In this first section of the article, we will look at the best piano keyboard for traveling. It will save you a lot of time searching and comparing thousands of products out there.
Check out the list to see whether you can find the right one.
Casio WK-7600 76-key Keyboard
The top of the list is the Casio WK-7600 with a semi-full range of 76 keys. Experts highly praise this keyboard for its excellent sound quality.
It offers 64 notes of polyphony, making sure that you don’t have any dropping notes.
The wide range of polyphony notes allows you to perform professionally regardless of the non-complete key range.
Moreover, the Casio WK-7600 features 260 preset rhythms with a built-in accompaniment.
You can choose the right style from rock, pop, jazz, country, or classical within a press of one button.
The keyboard also allows you to choose just a drummer or full virtual band at the disposal to write music with extra speed and sophistication.
Another excellent thing about the sound quality of the Casio WK-7600 is 820 world-class tones integrated into an easy-to-use interface.
You can find every tone you need in the library and even edit them with filters and envelopes.
Also, you can add depth and realism to the sound with a huge set of DSP effects.
Furthermore, the Casio WK-7600 offers you complete control to customize the output sounds.
It features nine sliders on the left front panel of the keyboard, which will enable you to control the level of harmonic overtone.
Thus, you can produce rich and powerful organ notes and customize them the way you want. However, the only problem with this model is the size.
This keyboard measures 50 x 8 x 18 inches and weighs about 21 pounds.
Although it might be a little bulky to carry this item around, it will bring you professional performances with the best customization.
- Features 820 world class tones organized by category in a new easy-to-use interface; eachcan be edited with control over filters, envelopes and more
- Nine strategically placed sliders on the front panel allow you to control the level of each harmonic overtone to produce a powerful and rich organ sound
Last update on 2024-04-22 at 13:38 UTC - 4/ Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Pros
Cons
Yamaha PSR-E463 61-Key Portable Keyboard
If you are looking for a compatible piano keyboard to hold a concert on the street, the Yamaha E463 is the perfect option for you.
This model features a USB port that enables you to connect directly with a USB memory stick.
Thus, you can use the keyboard to play songs from your USB as speakers.
Moreover, the USB port allows you to transmit audio in MIDI to both iPads, Macs, and Windows PCs.
Now you can record your songs and send them directly to your computer for further processing.
And if you want to play your favorite music along with its origin, the AUX IN socket will help you connect with your phone and play music along.
You can use this feature to create excellent mixtapes and add different notes and tones to your music.
Not only users are surprised by the incredible compatibility of this keyboard, but they are also pleased with its performance.
This 61-key model possesses 48-note polyphony, which is enough for playing and creating modern songs.
Besides, 235 pre-programmed styles with 758 voices allow you to customize the music and mix it with extra sophistication.
However, many buyers are not satisfied with the speaker quality. The lowest note of the keyboard is nearly inaudible at 50% volume.
And you find some pre-programmed voices with low quality such as cello or trumpet.
- A 61-Key portable keyboard with a great piano sound and a powerful sound engine
- The XG Lite voice library is a next-level collection of voices over the General MIDI (GM) collection, designed for playing back songs from Yamaha extensive XG song library
Last update on 2024-04-22 at 13:38 UTC - 4/ Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Pros
Cons
YAMAHA PSR-EW300 SA 76-Key Digital
The Yamaha EW300 is the best choice for professional piano players who are seeking for ultimate acoustic sensation.
This model features 76 touch-sensitive dynamic keys, which will reflect precisely every nuance of your fingers playing.
You will be able to express your musical emotion by playing the keys heavily or softly for a louder or gentle sound.
For beginners, playing with a weighted keyboard might be a hard start.
However, it’s necessary to learn how to pour your emotion to a performance by training the sensation while playing the piano.
Thus, the Yamaha EW300 is suitable for novice players who want to take their skills to the next level.
Not only players will be benefited from the touch-sensitive keys, but they will be provided with excellent voices and notes.
This portable piano keyboard features up to 574 instrument voices and 165 styles providing the freedom to enjoy playing and creating music.
Moreover, this piano keyboard can perform excellently on any occasion with a USB to host port allowing connection with speakers and other instruments.
Also, an AUX-IN stereo jack enables you to connect with the music player to play the music along.
However, the keyboard comes with a low-quality stand that can’t last for long.
The manual is vague and lacks instructions for installing the stand.
Also, the design for headphones and power plugin was hard to reach and inconvenient.
- Bundle includes PSRE EW300 keyboard, PKBS1 keyboard stand and PA130 power supply
- A 76 key portable keyboard with 574 voices, 165 styles and 154 preset songs; Recording number of songs 5; Number of tracks 2; Data capacity approx; 10,000 notes
Last update on 2024-04-22 at 13:38 UTC - 4/ Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Pros
Cons
Casio CTK-3500 61-Key Keyboard
If you are looking for a lightweight keyboard to carry around, the Casio CTK-3500 is an ideal option you should consider.
It only weighs 7.5 pounds, which is approximately ⅓ the weight of the Casio WK-7600 you have seen above.
Besides, the dimension of 12.09 x 37.24 x 3.62 inches makes it suitable for transportation.
You can put it in your car trunk and carry it around without any hassle.
Another compliment for the design of the Casio CTK-3500 is that it comes with knobs and buttons of lower height compared to other models in the list.
Thus, it will lower the risk of damaging the knobs and buttons on the surface of the keyboard during transportation.
In terms of performance, this model offers you 61 keys with a maximum of 48 polyphony notes.
You will also be provided with over 400 tones and 100 rhythms for mixing and creating new music.
Last but not least, this Casio CTK-5300 is the only model in the list which is compatible with a mobile app.
You can connect with the piano through the Chordata play app and adjust the setting with ease.
However, many users do not satisfy with the cheap plastic construction of this keyboard.
It seems not likely to stand the test of time and will break down in the near future.
- Dance music Mode w/50 built-in dance music rhythms
- Chordata play app integration
Last update on 2024-04-22 at 07:04 UTC - 4/ Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Pros
Cons
Yamaha PSS-A50 Mini-key Keyboard
In need of a super compact and portable piano keyboard?
The last product on the list, the Yamaha PSS-A50 keyboard is a wise choice for you.
At first, people might think it is just a toy with an unbelievable dimension of 21.5 x 9 x 3 inches.
It can fit in your backpack or school bag for bringing to school.
Along with the modest appearance, this model only weighs 3.89 pounds, making it look exactly like a keyboard for children.
Another feature that travelers will love in this mini keyboard is the power source. This model can be fueled by merely four AA batteries.
Thus, you can bring this keyboard anywhere you want without worrying about the power outlets.
Plus, people are surprised by its performance. This keyboard is the descendant of the Yamaha reface series.
Thus, it offers you an outstanding touch, feel, and power from the successors.
Besides, it provides you with 42 voices, 138 Arpeggio types, and Motion effect to create music on your preference.
The only downside of this keyboard is the limited number of keys. It only has 22 keys for playing, which is not enough for performing a whole repertoire.
So, if you are looking for a busking piano, this only is not for you.
- This keyboard is inherited from the Yamaha Reface Series. It is highly regarded by professionals for its outstanding touch, feel, and expressive power
- A great selection of high quality voices from pianos to drums
Last update on 2024-04-22 at 13:38 UTC - 4/ Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Pros
Cons
How to Choose the Right Piano Keyboard for Traveling?
If you don’t see what you are looking for in the above list, it’s okay. The definition of the right piano keyboard varies depending on your demand.
So, you should consider your goal to decide which keyboard is the right one for you.
Take a look at the following criteria to cross out the unsuitable options quickly.
Dimension & Weight
As a matter of fact, the dimension and weight of a piano keyboard decide whether it is suitable for traveling or not.
Thus, they are the first factors that you should take into account.
You are looking for a keyboard piano that won’t drain your strength to carry it around. Thus, the keyword for a piano keyboard is lightweight.
No matter how incredible its features are, it is disqualified if it isn’t lightweight enough. The next thing you need to consider is the dimension of the keyboard.
Typically, the size of a keyboard depends firmly on the number of keys. An 88-key piano will be significantly large than a 61-key version.
As the dimension often comes with the weight, the bigger dimension will be less portable compared to the smaller one.
So, it’s important to choose a keyboard that isn’t too heavy with a regular size.
Keys
The second thing you need to consider is the number of keys. A portable keyboard can have as little as 25 keys, and as much as 88 keys.
However, a 49-key keyboard is an acceptable choice for the minimum number of keys if you want to ensure the action and sound quality.
It’s easy to see that the more keys a piano has, the more room it offers you to play music.
Namely, the full range 88-key piano offers you the excellent flexibility to play any songs.
Meanwhile, the smaller version of 61 keys is only suitable for playing modern songs but not classical pieces.
As you have seen above, the number of keys directly points to the dimension, and logically the weight.
However, it doesn’t mean that you should lessen the number of keys to have a real portable keyboard.
You will need to consider your demand to balance out the two factors and find the best choice for you.
One more thing to consider about piano keys.
If you are a pro player who wants to have the acoustic sensation, weighted keys, and touch sensitivity should be considered.
These features will provide you with realistic actions from an acoustic piano.
On the other hand, they will add extra weight to your keyboard.
So if you are not looking for realistic sensation, weighted keys and touch sensitivity are unnecessary.
Power Source
A portable piano keyboard is to travel and perform outdoor. This means that they are not always supplied with available power from outlets.
As a result, people often look for power-dependent options like pianos use batteries. However, pianos with batteries mean more weight to carry around.
Also, it is slightly more expensive compared to regular keyboards. Many people try to hook up a battery to an inverter as a solution.
But that is even bulkier and an extra cost.
Sound Quality
As a piano lover and a performer, you will need a piano keyboard with great sound.
The sound of a digital piano depends on creating samples and the digital technologies used to reproduce the sample.
They will both reflect the sustain and decay of the notes along with the general sound’s realism.
Another feature that can help you determine the sound quality is the polyphony.
It refers to the number of notes that a piano can produce at once. The minimum recommended polyphony for great sound is 32-note.
And if you want to perform professional-like music, a 64-note polyphony is great. Sound affects directly to the rhythm of your piano keyboard.
Thus, you should pay extra attention to make sure that the instrument will provide the desired rhythm.
You can choose from a bunch of pre-programmed voices, songs, and rhythms to pick the best for your performance.
Compatibility
Lastly, compatibility and connectivity are the important features that you will search for in a good piano keyboard.
An instrument with excellent connectivity will provide you with the freedom to sing and perform anywhere and anytime you want.
Generally, a piano keyboard usually comes with MIDI capacity that allows you to connect to recording equipment.
Also, the advanced keyboard features a USB port enabling you to connect with audio gears like speakers and amplifiers.
High-grade options also have features of flash memory cards to transfer and play music from computers and other devices.
FAQs
How do you practice the piano when traveling?
Keeping up with your practice schedule when traveling is a daunting task. However, the following tips can help you:
- Sight Read: Practicing sight read with a piece of sheet music you are studying will help you translate the notes to your fingers easier.
- Listen: This is the simplest thing you can do to learn the piano when traveling.
You can listen to a professional version of the song you are learning.
And compare it with your previous recorded practicing version.
It will help you find the ideas for improvement. - Play on a flat surface: Becoming a pianist without a piano might sound strange to people.
However, it will help you control how your fingers move and how to perform the song in a correct manner. - Buying a small piano keyboard: If your budget is generous, you can buy a portable piano keyboard for traveling.
It allows you to practice even on the plane, on the train, or on the bus.
You can connect the piano with your headphones and practice without disturbing other people around.
Should I get a digital piano with 61 or 88 keys?
The decision between a 61-key and 88-key keyboard depends on your demand.
Generally, a digital piano with 61 keys is enough for beginners to learn about the instrument.
You will have enough room for playing modern songs with a modest and compact keyboard.
Meanwhile, classical music pieces use a lot of left-hand notes and require a complete range of 88 keys.
Thus, if you want to play traditional songs, a full 88-key piano keyboard is recommended.
Is it OK to learn piano on a keyboard?
As the layout of the key on a piano and a keyboard is identical, it’s possible to learn piano on a keyboard.
What you have practiced on a keyboard will be transferred exactly to a piano with a slight difference in key width and pressure.
Thus, practice with a keyboard is recommended for beginners and novice learners.
Can I bring a piano on a plane?
It’s okay if you want to bring a piano on a plane.
If the piano’s dimension doesn’t surpass the weight and size limit for carry-on luggage, you can bring it without checking in.
Or else, you can transport it as checked-in luggage.
If the size of the piano is too big, it can be couriered separately by the airline’s cargo service.
Conclusion
Choosing the best portable piano keyboard for traveling is not an easy task as the options vary depends on your demand.
The most important thing is to choose what you are looking for in a keyboard.
If you opt for the overall value and performance, the Yamaha PSR-E463 is an ideal choice.