The Roland GO:PIANO 61P is an excellent keyboard for music education, particularly for anyone seeking a portable and versatile solution. Since its release in 2017, the GO-61P has become a favourite among teachers and students alike, thanks to a strong combination of quality, functionality, and truly user-friendly design.
What does Roland say?
“The GO-61P GO:PIANO is dedicated to those who wish to learn to play the piano with no prior experience. The instrument and the onboard sounds are derived from Roland professional synthesizers and pianos, promising an easy transition to Roland models with more advanced feature sets as playing skills improve. A first for its price point, it also offers Bluetooth connectivity for added musical and learning possibilities.”
- Adapted from Roland’s press release
A breakdown of the Roland GO:PIANO features:
Equipped for education!
One of the standout features of the GO:PIANO 61P is how lightweight and compact it is, making it incredibly easy to transport. Weighing in at just under 4kg, it can easily be shifted around a classroom or department, allowing the teacher to reconfigure their space however necessary. The sleek, modern aesthetic also means it looks nice and professional in any setting where you might want it, from a home studio to a school stage.
Roland has a stellar reputation for sound quality from all their digital pianos, and the GO-61P does not disappoint. The piano features a variety of high-quality sounds, including acoustic pianos, electric pianos, and organs, which can either be projected through headphones or the two 12 x 6cm built-in speakers. While the 61 full-sized keys are not weighted, they are touch-sensitive with a pleasant 'ivory' feel, and the whole playing sensation is designed to ensure smooth progression to a larger, more sophisticated instrument. You can also plug in a sustain pedal for a more complete experience, allowing for higher level learning opportunities.
For music lessons (especially whole class teaching) the GO:PIANO 61P is packed with features that enhance the learning experience. It comes with a built-in Micro-B type USB port, excellent for MIDI connections to school computers and allowing for easier input to DAWs and notation software platform. Furthermore, Bluetooth connectivity allows for seamless integration with mobile devices and apps, enabling students to learn and practice using their favourite music apps. This is particularly beneficial for incorporating technology into lessons, which is increasingly important in today’s educational landscape. Additionally, the onboard recorder allows students to capture their performances, providing a valuable tool for self-assessment and improvement.
The intuitive interface helps to make it accessible for all age groups; with easy-to-navigate controls and a bright LCD display, students can quickly learn how to switch sounds, adjust settings, and even access the built-in metronome. This simplicity encourages experimentation and creativity, and crucially minimises the time a teacher has to spend walking a student through the specifics or the instrument.
Another highlight is its versatility in power options. The GO:PIANO 61P can be powered via an AC adapter or by using six AA batteries, allowing for up to 13 hours of continuous playtime. This means that you don’t need to constantly worry about charging as it should last the whole school day!
Comparison to similar models
Other touch sensitive, education-focused keyboards at comparable price points include:
- Yamaha NP-15 'Piaggero' - comes in a little cheaper but without as comprehensive an interface, as it doesn’t feature the LCD display. Also a 61-key model, it’s only a little heavier than the GO:PIANO at 5.2kg and features a more minimalist overall design.
- Casio CT-S1 - similarly priced to the GO:PIANO 61P, again without such a detailed display. However, the CT-S1 is offered with free online access to music lessons worth £49.99 when you purchase the keyboard, a bonus for beginners. It features AiX Sound Source, innovative technology designed to enable electronic instruments to produce excellent sound from small speakers. It’s also very lightweight at 4.5kg.
There is also the Roland GO:PIANO 88P, which is just a full-length version on the 61P, and in the same vein the Yamaha NP-35 and Casio CT-S1-76 which are both 76-key equivalents of the models mentioned above.
What does Chamberlain Music think?
“A remarkably good compact piano keyboard, Roland GO:PIANO is the ideal inexpensive instrument for those just starting to learn to play the piano, needing good quality without a huge financial commitment.
At only 3.9kg it's also a great option for those with limited space, those on the move or indeed as a classroom keyboard. It's very well equipped, with some great sounds including acoustic and electric pianos, organs and many more, with all the sounds and other features easy to navigate between due to the excellent user interface, which is a particular boon for this Roland model.
To assist with learning it has an on-board song recorder, a metronome and Bluetooth. This can be used to connect to tuition apps on your smart device, or indeed to transform the GO:PIANO into a Bluetooth speaker so you can play along with your favourite songs.
Overall, the GO:PIANO is a fantastic investment for music educators looking for a portable, high-quality keyboard that meets the demands of both teaching and performance. Its solid sound quality, user-friendly interface, and educational capabilities make it a top choice for any school. Whether you're introducing students to the world of piano and make your teaching experience just that bit easier, the GO:PIANO comes highly recommended.”
- Dominic Barnett, Director of Pianos