In the world of music, innovation is vital. Roland is synonymous with quality and innovation and they have once again set the bar high with their Roland Go Piano.
The Roland Go Piano comes in 61-key and 88-key models. Both are Digital Pianos with Alexa Voice Control, 40 built-in sounds, and a metronome. This full review delves into all of its features to determine if it is a good investment for beginner pianists.
Roland Go Piano: The Best Portable Keyboard for Beginners?
Contents
Design
The Roland Go Piano is a 61-key Digital Piano with Alexa Voice Control, 40 built-in sounds, and a metronome.
It is a fantastic instrument for beginners embarking on their musical journey. Its design is a harmonious blend of a keyboard and a traditional piano, offering the convenience and affordability of the former with the full-sized keys of the latter.
The 88 keys, while not fully weighted, are styled after a traditional piano, allowing you to develop the correct technique straight from the off, making it ideal for beginners.
Utilizing a lightweight and rugged design as well as the option to be fully battery-powered, the Go Piano is extremely portable and ideal for musicians on the go and buskers.
With the 61-key model weighing a mere 8.10 lbs or 3.9 kg, this lightweight and compact piano is incredibly portable, making it perfect for practice at home, band rehearsals, or street performances.
Despite its lightweight nature, the keyboard feels robust, ensuring durability. The design is ergonomic, making it comfortable for prolonged use.
Full-Sized Keys
Although not fully weighted, the 88 keys mimic the style of a traditional piano, promoting the development of correct techniques from the onset, making the instrument ideal for beginners.
Bluetooth Connectivity
The onboard Bluetooth speakers can connect to any smartphone or device, unlocking a plethora of learning resources and making the learning process enjoyable and straightforward.
Battery-Powered Option
Its ability to run on batteries adds to its portability, allowing musicians to play wherever inspiration strikes.
Alexa
The Go Piano with Alexa offers an engaging, easy learning and playing experience. This portable device delivers excellent sound with Roland’s renowned piano engine and allows voice-operated controls for uninterrupted music flow.
Complicated panel operations are a thing of the past with the Go Piano. Using just your voice, you can instantly call up any of the 40 onboard sounds, and you never have to take your hands off the keyboard.
Many other settings can also be adjusted while staying in the flow, like turning the metronome on/off, changing up the beat, and more.
Also, you can ask Alexa to change settings or queue songs from Amazon Music. You can also record and upload performances to the cloud for later playback.
Sound
While the instrument only offers four tones (Piano, E. Piano, Organ, and Strings), each tone is of high quality.
The onboard speakers are Bluetooth-enabled and can be hooked up to your devices. Once connected, you can access a wealth of learning resources that make mastering the piano fast, simple, and fun.
The built-in dual 2.5-watt speakers are adequate on the 61-key model, and the dual 10-watt speakers on the 88-key model are of course superior for sound quality and volume.
While they do not accurately reproduce the low-end sounds of a piano or organ, using quality headphones allows players to appreciate the instrument’s true sound quality.
Keyboard
Users can choose between four levels of sensitivity (fixed, light, medium, and heavy), with the medium setting being the most versatile.
Connectivity
In today’s connected world, the Go Piano shines with its Bluetooth features. Whether you’re a teenager wanting to jam to the latest hits or a professional looking to integrate with music apps, the GO-61K has got you covered.
The 1/4″ Headphone jack lets you practice without speakers. If you intend to use external speakers or amplifiers, you’ll need to use this jack as well. Just know that you’ll likely need to use converters as well.
A 1/8″ Auxiliary In jack (Go Pinano-61 only) allows you to connect a smartphone or media player to make use of the built-in speakers.
A 1/4″ Pedal jack for a sustain pedal is also included, which adds to piano realism. On the 61-key model, a light on the front panel comes on to indicate that a pedal is connected, which is a nice addition.
An upgrade to the sustain pedal would be advisable as the included one is a basic model. A proper sustain pedal allows for better dynamic control over your sounds:
Piano Headphones
Using high-quality headphones will allow you to hear the full depth of the 40 onboard sounds in the Roland Go Piano. If you do not want to disturb others while you practice, or want to hear your sounds in their full quality, then this is the way to go.
You can read a full guide to the best headphones for practicing the piano below:
The Best Headphones for Piano Practice & Recording (Top 8)
Unique Features
Bluetooth Audio & MIDI
The inclusion of Bluetooth audio and MIDI is a significant advantage, allowing users to play along with their favorite songs and access online piano lessons and the free Roland Piano Partner 2 app.
Learning Features
Users also receive a free three-month subscription to the Skoove learning platform, facilitating mastery of the instrument.
Also with Alexa, you can sharpen your music sensibilities with ear training and build knowledge with trivia on composers and famous music.
By connecting your smartphone or tablet via Bluetooth, you can use Roland’s Piano Partner 2 app (iOS and Android) to learn music scores and boost your skills with fun exercises and musical games.
High-Quality Videos With a Smartphone and Go Mixer
Once you’re playing starts to improve, you’ll want to share your progress with the world. Recording videos with your smartphone is easy, but its built-in mic doesn’t always sound so good.
By plugging your phone and Go Piano into Roland’s cool Go Mixer, you can directly capture the keyboard’s great sound in your videos while you shoot. You can plug additional sources into Go Mixer as well, such as a mic or another keyboard.
With the combination of your smartphone, Go Piano, and Go Mixer, there’s no simpler way to create pro-quality videos for sharing on social media.
Accessories
The package includes a basic sustain pedal and a sturdy music rest capable of holding a sizable music book. You will also likely need a piano stand, and if you want a gig bag for your 61-key Go Piano, the one below is an excellent choice.
Specifications
| Keyboard | 61 keys (Ivory Feel and Box-shape Keys with velocity) |
| Touch Sensitivity | Key Touch: 3 types, fixed touch |
| Maximum Polyphon | 128 voices |
| Tones (61-Key Model) | Piano: 10 tones E.Piano: 7 tones Organ: 7 tones Other: 16 tones (including a drum set, a SFX set) |
| Tones (88-Key Model) | 4 Tones – Piano, Electric Piano, Organ, Strings |
| Effects | Multi-Effects / Chorus / Reverb *Only the reverb level is adjustable. |
| Transpose | -5–+6 (in semitones) |
| Octave Shift | -3–+3 |
| Metronome | Included |
| RECORDER | Standard MIDI Files (Format 0) Song Storage |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 4.2 |
| Display | Custom LCD (with Backlit) |
| Speakers | 2.5 W x 2 12 x 6 cm (4-3/4 x 2-3/8 inches) x |
| Connectors | PHONES/OUTPUT jack: Stereo phone jack AUX IN jack: Stereo phone input PEDAL jack: 1/4-inch phone type USB COMPUTER port: USB Micro-B type (MIDI) DC IN jack |
| Accessories | Power Supply AC adaptor or Alkaline battery (AA, LR6) / Rechargeable Ni-MH battery (AA, HR6) x 6 (6 hours use) *Carbon-zinc batteries cannot be used. Current Draw 1,000 mA Alkaline batteries (AA, LR6): Approximately 4 hours *This figure will vary depending on the actual conditions of use. Music rest AC adaptor Sold separately: Keyboard stand: KS-12, Pedal switch: DP series |
| Weight | 3.9 kg 8 lbs 10 oz |
| Dimensions | Width: 877 mm, 34-9/16 inches Depth: 271 mm, 10-11/16 inches Height: 82 mm, 3-1/4 inches |
Comparisons
Go Piano vs. Go Keys
The Go Piano is ideal for beginners looking for a traditional piano-playing experience with the convenience of a keyboard, while the Go Keys is perfect for those who want to experiment with music creation using various sounds and tones.
Design & Purpose
Designed for beginners, the Go Piano is a blend of a traditional piano and a keyboard, making it ideal for those starting their musical journey. It offers full-sized keys to facilitate the development of correct piano-playing techniques.
The Go Keys is more versatile and suitable for creating music with a variety of instrument sounds. It is designed for music enthusiasts who want to experiment with different music styles and sounds.
Key Features
With its Loop Mix function and various sound options, Go Keys allows users to create and experiment with multiple music genres. It also supports Bluetooth connectivity for audio streaming.
Sound & Tones
The Roland Go Keys provides a broader range of instrument sounds and tones, allowing for more creative and experimental music production.
Go Piano vs. Yamaha NP12
While the Go Piano is ideal for novice players focusing on learning the piano, the Yamaha NP12 provides versatility and simplicity for players at all levels. The NP12 is a suitable choice for a broader audience.
The Go Piano’s Bluetooth connectivity is a standout feature but the NP12 offers a wider variety of sounds.
Design & Purpose
The NP12 is designed with simplicity and portability in mind, suitable for both beginners and experienced players looking for a lightweight option.
Key Features
With 61 piano-style keys, the NP12 features a user-friendly interface, built-in speakers, and battery power compatibility.
Sound & Tones
The Go piano offers four tones (Piano, E. Piano, Organ, and Strings), focusing on delivering a quality piano sound experience.
The NP12 provides a more extensive range of voices (10 in total), including two grand pianos, two electric pianos, and other orchestral voices.
Learning & Playing
While also suitable for beginners, the NP12 offers versatility for various playing styles and is useful for experienced players needing a portable option.
Connectivity
The Yamaha NP12 offers USB connectivity for easy connection to various devices and applications but lacks Bluetooth support.
Go Piano vs. Casio CTS1
The CT-S1 is versatile and can be used for both learning and performing, making it a great option for a wide range of musicians.
Design & Purpose
The Casio CT-S1 is designed for musicians at all levels, offering a sleek and minimalist design with a focus on portability and high-quality sounds.
Key Features
Go Keys features a Loop Mix function and various sound options, allowing users to create and experiment with multiple music genres. It also supports Bluetooth connectivity for audio streaming.
The CT-S1 boasts 61 full-size keys with touch response, 61 built-in tones, and various effects. It also offers USB connectivity and can run on batteries, enhancing its portability.
Sound & Tones
Provides a broad range of instrument sounds and tones, allowing for creative and experimental music production. The CT-S1 also offers a wide array of high-quality tones, including acoustic and electronic piano sounds, organ, strings, and synth.
Learning & Playing
Suitable for both learning and playing, the CT-S1 offers a straightforward interface and features that support musicians from learning to performing stages.
Connectivity
While it doesn’t have Bluetooth like the Go Keys, it offers USB connectivity for easy integration with various devices and music software.
Portability
The Go Keys is compact and lightweight, making it easy to carry and play music anywhere. The CT-S1 is designed for portability with a slim profile, and can also be battery-powered for music on the go.
Go Piano vs. Casio CTK
The Roland Go Piano is an excellent choice for beginners with its straightforward features and focus on piano playing.
In contrast, the Casio CTK series offers versatility with a wide range of tones and learning features, making it suitable for individuals at various learning stages and those interested in experimenting with different music styles.
Design & Purpose
- Go Piano: The Roland Go Piano is designed primarily for beginners, offering a blend of traditional piano and keyboard features with full-sized keys to facilitate proper learning from the start.
- Casio CTK: The Casio CTK series is versatile, catering to both beginners and intermediate players. It’s designed for those who want to explore various music styles, with numerous built-in tones and rhythms.
Key Features
- Go Piano: It features 88 full-sized keys, Bluetooth connectivity for accessing learning resources, and the option to run on batteries, enhancing its portability.
- Casio CTK: The CTK series typically comes with 61 full-size keys, hundreds of built-in tones and rhythms, and a music library with a wide range of songs for practice.
Sound & Tones
- Go Piano: Offers four essential tones: Piano, E. Piano, Organ, and Strings, focusing on a quality piano sound experience.
- Casio CTK: Provides a broader range of instrument sounds and tones, allowing for creative exploration and music production with various genres.
Learning & Playing
- Go Piano: Aimed at supporting beginners, it offers features that help develop fundamental piano-playing skills.
- Casio CTK: With features like Step-Up Lesson System and Voice Prompt, the CTK series supports learners at different stages, making the learning process interactive and engaging.
Connectivity
- Go Piano: It supports Bluetooth connectivity, allowing connection to various devices and apps for an enhanced learning experience.
- Casio CTK: While it doesn’t support Bluetooth, it offers MIDI and audio connectivity, allowing connection to computers and other devices for music production.
Portability
- Go Piano: Lightweight and battery-operable, it is designed for easy transportation and practice on the go.
- Casio CTK: While also portable, the CTK series might be slightly bulkier compared to the Go Piano but still easy to move and set up.
Another great Casio Keyboard to consider is the Casio CT-X700 61-key Arranger Keyboard.
This keyboard is in a similar price range ($200 at the time of writing) and has 600 Tones, 100 Arpeggiators, 195 Rhythms, a 6-track Recorder, and a Step-up Lesson System.
Go Piano vs. Roland FP10
The Go Piano is an excellent choice for beginners due to its user-friendly features and portability.
In contrast, the Roland FP-10 offers a more authentic and expressive piano-playing experience with its advanced keyboard technology and superior sound engine, making it suitable for both beginners and more experienced players.
Design & Purpose
The Roland FP-10 is a more advanced digital piano, designed for both beginners and more experienced players, providing an authentic piano playing experience with its fully weighted keys.
Key Features
The FP-10 features 88 full-sized keys, Bluetooth connectivity for accessing learning resources, and the option to run on batteries for portability.
It also boasts Roland’s PHA-4 Standard keyboard, providing expressive performance with its fully weighted keys and high-resolution sensing technology.
Sound & Tones
The Go Piano offers four tones (Piano, E. Piano, Organ, and Strings), focusing on delivering a quality piano sound experience for beginners.
In contrast, Roland’s SuperNATURAL piano sound engine in the FP-10 offers rich and dynamic piano tones, providing a more authentic and expressive playing experience.
Learning & Playing
The Fp-10 is suitable for players at various levels and provides a realistic piano-playing experience, making it ideal for both practice and performance.
Connectivity
The FP-10 offers USB and Bluetooth MIDI connectivity, allowing easy connection to music software on computers and mobile devices.
Portability
While not battery-operated, the FP-10 is compact and portable, designed for musicians who need a practice instrument that doesn’t compromise on an authentic piano feel.
Conclusion
For novice players seeking an affordable, convenient, and portable instrument to start their piano-playing journey, the Roland Go Piano is an excellent choice.
Its design, which combines the benefits of both keyboards and traditional pianos, along with valuable features like Bluetooth connectivity and access to learning resources, makes it a worthwhile investment for budding musicians.
