What to buy a keyboard player? 10 gift ideas they'll actually use

Anyone who plays keyboard often finds that the instrument alone is missing a whole lot of things. Keyboards often come with nothing but a power adapter in the box, so at home people end up playing on the kitchen table without a pedal, on a chair that's too low, and at night preferably not at all without headphones. That's exactly why practical accessories are among the best gifts. A sustain pedal, a dust cover, a stand or sheet music will be used by almost anyone who sits at a keyboard, and if you want to give something bigger, you can go for quality headphones, a MIDI keyboard for making music or a small synthesizer. We've ranked the tips in a countdown from ten, so the biggest gift is waiting for you at the end.

Without a sustain pedal you can't properly play even simple piano pieces, because the notes don't ring on and the playing sounds choppy, yet many keyboards don't include one in the box. The Revoltage SP2025 is a small, affordable pedal that fits in any bag. If you want the pedal to feel more like a real piano underfoot, go for the Revoltage DPSP2025, shaped like a piano pedal. Keyboard players who play Roland or Yamaha will also appreciate the branded Roland DP-10 or Yamaha FC5. Before buying, just check that the pedal works with their keyboard, because some brands use reversed polarity. You'll find more among our sustain pedals.

Dust and crumbs get between the keys faster than you'd expect, and over time they can make some keys stick or respond poorly. The fabric Pianonova Dust Cover is one of our best-selling accessories, it slips easily over the instrument and also protects it from the sun. If you want a cover made to measure, choose the CoverTone 61 for 61-key keyboards or the CoverTone 88 for a digital piano. It's a modest gift the keyboard player will be grateful for every day they sit down at a clean instrument. You'll find more sizes among our keyboard dust covers.

Playing on a table or a bed is uncomfortable for the back and hands, and it's hard to keep a good posture that way, which makes a stand one of the most useful gifts. The Revoltage KS2025 is a folding X-stand that ranks among our best sellers, adjusts to the right height and folds away behind a wardrobe after playing. If the keyboard player has a heavier instrument or plays gigs, the double Revoltage DKS205 Double X offers more stability. You'll find more models among our folding keyboard stands.

When playing, the height you sit at really matters, because in the wrong position your wrists and back get tired, and an ordinary kitchen chair rarely fits a keyboard player just right. The Revoltage Keyboard Bench 2025 is a folding, height-adjustable bench that suits a keyboard on a stand and is easy to put away. If they play a digital piano at home, they'll love the wooden Pianonova Digital Piano Bench 2025, which looks like a classic piano bench and fits nicely into the room. You'll find more models among our metal piano benches and wooden piano benches.

New sheet music is a great gift for anyone who plays keyboard, because it brings new pieces and fresh motivation to practice. If they love film music, they'll enjoy the Really Easy Piano: 40 Disney Songs collection with well-known melodies in easy arrangements. For those who are still learning to read music, Pianonova keyboard stickers are handy, as they mark the note names right on the keys. You'll find more collections among our sheet music for keyboard instruments.

A big advantage of digital pianos and keyboards is that you can play them through headphones, so the keyboard player can practise late in the evening without disturbing anyone. Good headphones make a big difference, because the instrument sounds fuller and playing is more enjoyable. The Roland RH-5 are comfortable closed-back headphones designed precisely for keyboards and digital pianos. If you want a more versatile model they'll also use for listening to music, go for the Audio-Technica ATH-M20x. You'll find more models among our studio headphones.

Keyboards are large and delicate, so if they're taken to rehearsals, lessons or gigs, they quickly get scratched or damaged without a bag. The padded Pianonova BKB 61 bag is designed for 61-key keyboards and has straps for carrying and a pocket for sheet music and a cable. For larger digital and stage pianos with 88 keys there's the Pianonova BKB 88. Before buying, just check the instrument's dimensions so the bag fits. You'll find more models among our 61-key bags and 88-key bags.

A keyboard player who wants to get into their own music, beats or recording on a computer will appreciate a small MIDI keyboard that connects to a laptop and controls virtual instruments. The Arturia MiniLab 3 is a popular compact keyboard with pads and knobs that comes bundled with software full of sounds. If they're more into making beats, they'll love the Akai MPK Mini MK4, one of the best-selling MIDI keyboards of all. Both fit in a backpack, so they can make music on the go too. You'll find more models among our master keyboards.

A synthesizer opens up a whole new world of sounds, from thick basses and atmospheric pads to the sounds of favourite songs, and it's a gift they can play with for hours. The Roland S-1 is a small handheld synth that also runs on batteries and handles plenty of sounds and sequences. If they love classic analogue sounds from the seventies, go for the Behringer Model D. You'll find more models among our synthesizers.

Every keyboard player knows they could use one more instrument, whether it's a digital piano for home, a lighter keyboard for gigs or a synthesizer for different sounds. With this gift, however, be careful, because every keyboard player has a clear idea of what they need. Some want 88 weighted keys that play like a real piano, others prefer a lighter 61-key keyboard with lots of sounds, and it also matters whether the instrument is touch-sensitive, how the piano sounds and how much space it takes up. So only buy a keyboard if you're confident enough to surprise them and you know what they play and what they're missing. You'll find inspiration among our touch-sensitive keyboards and digital pianos.

For a keyboard player who has everything, buy something that expands their creative options. A good choice is the Arturia MiniLab 3 MIDI keyboard, the Roland S-1 synthesizer or Roland RH-5 headphones. If you're not sure, a gift voucher is a safe choice.

For under £20 you can buy practical accessories they'll use every day: the Revoltage SP2025 sustain pedal, a Pianonova dust cover, the Revoltage KS2025 stand, the Revoltage Keyboard Bench 2025 or the Really Easy Piano: 40 Disney Songs sheet music.

For under £45 you can choose from branded pedals, bags and bigger accessories. A good choice is the Roland DP-10 or Yamaha FC5 pedal, or the padded Pianonova BKB 61 bag or BKB 88 for transport.

First find out which brand of keyboard they have, because some keyboards need a pedal with reversed polarity. The Revoltage SP2025 is versatile and affordable, the Roland DP-10 suits Roland and the Yamaha FC5 suits Yamaha. If you want a real piano feel, choose the Revoltage DPSP2025.

For quiet playing at home, good headphones are the basis, such as the Roland RH-5 or Audio-Technica ATH-M20x. Add a Revoltage KS2025 stand and a height-adjustable bench so they can sit comfortably even during long practice sessions.