Musical Keyboard Accessories (2021): 9 Must-Have Accessories for New Keyboard Piano Players


When you start any new hobby, it usually comes with a list of things that you`ll need to get your hands on. It might be a mat for yoga, needles for knitting or a set of watercolours if you’re going to start painting.

Learning the piano or keyboard is no different. You’ll obviously need a keyboard or digital piano, but there are other accessories that – from our experience – are either essential or very useful for beginners.

Here are the accessories covered in this guide:

Nice-to-Haves for Your Piano Keyboard or Digital Piano:

Sustain Pedal

Metronome

Let’s briefly discuss each one, with our recommendations for the best products on the market:

Piano Keyboard Accessories: Must-Haves

There aren`t many accessories that are absolutely essential for piano keyboard beginners, but there are a handful of accessories that will make playing (and learning) much easier.

Here are our 9 recommendations:

Keyboard Stand

Stellar Labs 555-13830 Heavy Duty Keyboard Stand with Adjustable Width and Height

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If you’re using a keyboard, you need to make sure that it is placed on a stand, because it’s difficult to find somewhere (a table, for example) that will get the keyboard at the right height for you.

A keyboard stand should be adjustable, so you can get it to the right height.

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Tip: Sit up straight, with your arms bent at a right angle at the elbow. This is the height that you need your keyboard.

There are a range of stands available to buy, so here are a few tips for finding the best one for you:

  • Compatibility. Ensure that the stand you buy is compatible with your keyboard
  • Adjustable. Ensure that it is height-adjustable and will probably get a choice in weights
  • Weight. If you’re planning on moving your keyboard around, choose a stand that’s light, but still strong enough to properly support your keyboard

If you’re using a keyboard, you need to make sure that it is placed on a stand, because it’s difficult to find somewhere (a table, for example) that will get the keyboard at the right height for you.

A keyboard stand should be adjustable, so you can get it to the right height.

Which Keyboard Stand Should I Buy?

The Stellar Labs 555-13830 Heavy Duty Keyboard Stand allows you to adjust the height and width to fit most keyboards, as well as being heavy duty, meaning that it will be sturdy, less easy to knock over, and safer for your keyboard

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The World Tour Single X Keyboard Stand Deluxe Bench Package offers a heavy-duty keyboard `x` stand, as well as a keyboard bench. 

The stand is height-adjustable and sturdy to allow normal playing, as well as collapsible for easy storage or mobility.

The bench has a large, padded seating area, is suitable for players up to 250lbs and comes with a choice of three different height positions.

World Tour Single X Keyboard Stand Deluxe Bench PackageYamaha L85 Keyboard Stand, Black

The Yamaha L85 keyboard stand is designed for use with the Yamaha P115, P45 and P71 digital pianos, but may also be compatible with other digital pianos. It is black and fits securely to the instrument.

Piano Stool or Bench

On Stage KT7800 Padded Keyboard Bench

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It’s important to play with the right posture, otherwise you might end up with back problems and not progress as quickly as you could.

You might be lucky and find that you have a chair lying around that is at the precise height that you need for playing the piano, but for most people, an adjustable piano bench or stool is preferable.

There are a wide range of piano benches available, and which one you choose is mainly down to the style that you like.

There are some with additional features such as:

  • Padding
  • Back rest
  • Storage for sheet music

But which one you choose is all down to personal preference.

You should be able to sit up straight with your feet flat on the floor, with your knees bent at a right angle – as well as your elbows at a right angle to the piano or keyboard.

Which Keyboard Bench Should I Buy?

The On Stage KT7800 keyboard bench is an excellent 3” padded bench which conveniently can fold flat to make it easier to carry around.

The bench is spring-loaded and can bolt in place for extra sturdiness. It also has rubber caps which make it non-slip and is height adjustable.

The Adjustable Genuine Leather Artist Bench has a padded top studded with buttons, and is made of solid, hard wood with a black gloss.

The bench has a storage area under the padded seat – ideal for storing sheet music – and is height adjustable.

Adjustable Duet Size Genuine Leather Artist Piano Bench in Ebony

Keyboard Power Supply

Yamaha PA130 120 Volt Keyboard AC Power Adaptor

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Your keyboard or digital piano isn’t going to work without a power supply, so it’s essential you have one right from the beginning – the first time that you want to play!

It’s also recommended that you have a spare, should anything happen to your existing power supply, so that you can continue to play – or practice – without disruption.

But which one you choose is all down to personal preference.

You should be able to sit up straight with your feet flat on the floor, with your knees bent at a right angle – as well as your elbows at a right angle to the piano or keyboard.

Which Keyboard Power Supply Should I Buy?

The Yamaha PA130 is a 120V keyboard AC power adapter, which is certified by Yamaha as being suitable to use with most of their instruments and has an 8’4” cable.

This power supply is “energy-saving” – meaning that electricity isn`t used when your keyboard is turned off.

We recommend you check that this power supply can be used with your model of keyboard before you buy it.

The Casio ADE95 100LU power supply has been designed specifically for Casio keyboards, but we recommend you confirm that your specific model of Casio keyboard is compatible with this power supply before you buy it.

Casio ADE95100LU Power Supply - ADE95100B

HEADPHONES

Yamaha HPH-50B Compact Closed-Back Headphones, Black

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As much as you might love to listen to yourself play and notice how much you`ve progressed, it’s highly unlikely that your family, housemates or neighbours also do – all of the time!

That’s why it’s a great idea to get a pair of headphones that you can wear while practicing.

Most keyboards will be compatible with most headphones, but of course, the better the headphones you get, the better the sound that you`ll experience.

You should think about comfort, as well as the fact that you might be moving a little and your hands will be occupied, but you also can`t let your headphones fall off – or out!

Headphones give you the chance to practice silently at any time of the day, without disturbing anybody, as well as being better for your concentration.

Which Keyboard Headphones Should I Buy?

The Yamaha HPH 50B headphones are compact and closed-back, offering good quality, comfortable listening for long periods.

These headphones use a swivel mechanism to fit your ears perfectly and they give a good all-round, balanced sound.

The OneOdio Adapter Free closed back, over the ear stereo headphones offer a great quality sound, with comfortable headphones and good sound isolation (blocking out outside sounds).

These headphones can be adjusted to fit any size head and use a swivel mechanism for great fit.

OneOdio Adapter-Free Closed Back Over-Ear DJ Stereo Monitor Headphones, Professional Studio Monitor & Mixing, Telescopic Arms with Scale, Newest 50mm Neodymium Drivers- Glossy FinshLyxPro HAS-10 Closed Back Over-Ear Professional Studio Monitor & Mixing Headphones, Newest 45mm Neodymium Drivers for Wide Dynamic Range - Lightweight

The Lyx-Pro HAS10 over the ear, professional studio headphones are made with padded leather ear pads, as well as a leather headband.

They are lightweight and designed for your comfort – especially if you’re using them for prolonged amounts of time.

Keyboard Case/Cover & Carrying Bag

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Regardless of what your instrument is, it’s important that you properly protect it. It might be your upright piano in the corner of the room, or it might be a portable keyboard which you take around with you.

A traditional piano is already pretty well protected in its wooden casing and lid that should be put down when it`s not being played.

If you have a digital piano or keyboard, however, it’s vital that you have a case or a cover to protect it from dust, from accidents such as water or spills, and also bumps if you’re going to be moving it.

A flexible case should be fine if you intend to leave your piano or keyboard in one place, but if you are going to take it anywhere, it is recommended that you get a hard case. This will not only make it easier to carry, it will protect it from bumps and scrapes and also real temperature extremes – something that is never good for any musical instrument.

Which Keyboard Case or Bag Should I Buy?

Piano Keyboard Dust Cover for 88 Keys - Piano Chord EBook Included - Made of Nylon / Spandex - Comes Complete with Built-In Bag, Elastic Cord and - Locking Clasp - Keep It Free From Dust and Dirt!

The 88 Key Piano Keyboard Dust Cover fits most 76-88 key keyboards. It’s made from nylon and spandex and is designed to protect your keyboard from dust, dirt and moisture, helping to maintain your keyboard in good condition.

This dust cover has adjustable plastic, meaning that it fits snuggly, but is also easy to remove.

The Padded keyboard Gig Bag by Gator Cases is ideal if you need to take your keyboard out and about – whether it is for gigs, or to practice in different places.

This bag fits slimline 88 key keyboards although other sizes are available.

The lightweight bag is made from heavy duty nylon, meaning that it is not easily damaged as you are travelling, and the padded interior helps to protect your instrument as you move around. It has a carry handle as well as two adjustable straps if you want to carry it over your shoulder.

Gator Cases Padded Keyboard Gig Bag; Fits 88 Note Keyboards (GKB-88)Yamaha Artiste Series Keyboard Bag for 76-Note Keyboards, Black/Gray

The Yamaha Artiste Series Keyboard Bag is designed for the use with 88 key keyboards and is suitable for use with other keyboard brands as well. It’s made from durable nylon and has both a handle and shoulder strap.

Sheet Music Stands

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Unless you’re planning on learning and playing the piano or keyboard by ear, you’ll need to have a sheet music stand attached to your instrument. Most traditional pianos will already have a stand, but quite often, digital pianos or keyboards will need to have one added on.

A sheet music stand is attached to the instrument and in your line of vision so that you can put sheet music on it and easily read and play at the same time. You should check the brand and model of your instrument to ensure that your sheet music stand is compatible with it.

You can also get light clips which will illuminate the music so that you can read it easily in the dark. 

Which Sheet Music Stand Should I Buy?

Lightwish - Black Metal Sheet Portable Adjustable Music Stand Music Holder Folding Foldable

The Lightwish Portable Sheet Music Stand is adjustable in size and fold-up-able to be carried around easily. It has legs which can move to secure the music and can be supported on a desk-top.

Sheet Music Stands

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It can sometimes be a problem when you’re reading sheet music, that the book won`t stay open, or if you’re somewhere drafty, that the music gets blown away.

Sheet music clips can be very useful in ensuring that the music stays on the right page.

 Some people use clothes pegs for this, but more stylish versions can be bought online – in a variety of `looks` – from professional-looking chrome or black clips, to `fun` children`s clips.

Which Sheet Music Clips Should I Buy?

Music Book Clip or Page Holder

This music book clip or page holder clips the book open at the top to stop it from closing. It is slim and elegant looking

PIANO STICKERS

Color Piano Stickers for 49/61/ 76/88 Key Keyboards – Transparent and Removable with Free Piano Ebook

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Piano stickers are used by many people to help to remember the names of the keys on the piano or keyboard. They can also be used to help with learning to read notation.

There are many kinds of stickers, suitable for all ages – from `fun` stickers for kids, to cool-looking stickers for adults.

If you decide that you want stickers for your keyboard or piano, try to get ones that can be easily removed, as it shouldn`t be long before you won`t need them and you don`t want sticky keys!

Which Piano Stickers Should I Buy?

Piano Stickers for 49/61/ 76/88 Key Keyboards – Transparent and Removable with Free Piano Ebook; Made in USA

These piano stickers are suitable for keyboards with 49, 61, 76 or 88 keys and are made of transparent vinyl which is easy to remove. You are given details on each sticker of the name of the note and where it sits in the staff (how it looks when it is notated).

These color piano stickers are also suitable for keyboards with 49, 61, 76 or 88 keys and use transparent vinyl which is easy to remove. The information on the stickers are color-coded making it easy to read at a glance and tell you the name of the note and where it sits in the staff.

Polishing Cloth (for digital pianos)

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Regardless of which instrument you have, it’s a good idea to have a cloth that you can use to clean and polish it.

Instruments don`t usually like polishes or other chemicals, and the best way to keep yours looking and feeling its best is by regularly polishing it with a microfiber polishing cloth – and nothing else. This will help you to both remove dust, and sweaty or greasy finger marks – which can cause damage in the long term.

Which Piano Polishing Cloth Should I Buy?

ammoon 5pcs Microfiber Cleaning Polishing Polish Cloth for Musical Instrument Guitar Violin Piano Clarinet Trumpet Sax Universal

This microfiber cleaning and polishing cloth is ideal for polishing your piano or keyboard without any additional damage. It can also be used with a little soap and water if need be.

Piano Keyboard Accessories: Non- Essential (But Nice to Have)

There are a number of piano or keyboard accessories that you might not need at the beginning but could become useful (and possibly essential) as you improve as a player.

Sustain Pedal

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A sustain pedal is one of the pedals that are seen near your feet on a traditional piano. It helps you to play smoothly or spread a large chord, as well as helping to give the music more expression, by sustaining a note even when you’ve taken the pressure off a key.

As a beginner, you won`t need to use this pedal straight away, but as you progress, the sustain pedal will be gradually introduced.

Most traditional and digital pianos already have a sustain pedal, but if you’re learning on a keyboard, it’s unlikely that your keyboard has one.

It’s important to get a sustain pedal that’s compatible with your make and model of keyboard. You can get just one sustain pedal, or a pedal board for the keyboard which gives you three pedals which imitate the pedals on a traditional piano.

Which Keyboard Sustain Pedal Should I Buy?

M-Audio SP-2 | Universal Sustain Pedal with Piano Style Action for Electronic Keyboards

The M-Audio SP-2 Universal Sustain Pedal is designed to give the feeling of a traditional piano pedal for electronic keyboards.

This pedal has rubber grips on the underside to avoid slipping and has half pedal sensitivities which can help you to be more expressive.

As a bonus, this is also stylishly designed with a chrome pedal, looking great but giving you a classical feel.

Metronome

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A metronome is an excellent tool for both knowing how fast to play a piece of music, as well as making sure that you don`t speed up or slow down while playing.

At the beginning of almost every piece of music, there is an indication of how fast it should be played. Sometimes it is described with words and sometimes with a bpm (beats per minute) which can be difficult to judge.

A metronome can be set to tell you exactly what the speed is – 100 bpm, for example, usually by giving you a click or a beat. If you leave it running throughout the piece of music, it will help you to play in time – without speeding up or slowing down.

This is a practice technique that even professionals use to get their timing as good as possible.

Metronomes usually come in a swinging pendulum form – which doesn`t need batteries, or an electronic digital form.

Which Piano Metronome Should I Buy?

Mechanical Metronome for Piano, Guitar, Drums, Bass, Track Tempo and Beat, Pyramid Design, By Creatov®

The Creatov Pyramid Design metronome is an easy to use pendulum metronome which is wound up, so no battery is needed. It has a classical design and has a tempo range of 40 to 208 bpm, as well as giving you the option of using the Italian tempo terms.

The Tempi Pyramid Design metronome has a classic mahogany grain veneer outer case and uses a wind-up mechanism to avoid the need for batteries with its pendulum. It has a tempo range of 40 to 208 bpm and gives you instructions about the Italian tempo terms.

Oask Mechanical Metronome,WSM-330 Loud Sound,Professional High Accuracy Tempo Range 40~208bpm for Guitar, Piano, Drums, Bass, Violin,and Other Musical Instruments,Pyramid Design (Teak Tower)

Learning the piano is very rewarding and can give you and those around you great pleasure. With the right accessories, you can help yourself to learn well, play well and enjoy your playing!

If you’re still not sure about the benefits of the right accessories, check out this informative video produced by Roland Pianos:

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Maurice

I am intrigued by how music affects the brain. I created this site to share my fascination with music in general and piano keyboards in particular.

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