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Faculty Picks · Updated 2026

Best Keyboards & Digital Pianos 2026

Every year, parents ask our faculty the same question: which keyboard should I actually buy? Below are the seven Yamaha and Roland keyboards we recommend most often to Sinfonia Foundation students in 2026 — from a first unweighted keyboard to a full 88-key exam-ready digital piano — followed by the complete ABRSM and Trinity exam book library for piano, violin and guitar, Initial Grade through Grade 8.

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ABRSM Piano Books — 2027 & 2028 Edition

Looking for ABRSM piano books in India? Below is the complete, official ABRSM Piano Exam Pieces 2027 & 2028 set — the newest syllabus cycle from the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music — covering Initial Grade through Grade 8, plus the companion Teaching Notes volume. Each book links directly to the correct grade on Amazon India, curated by Sinfonia Foundation's piano faculty in Patuli, Kolkata.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best keyboard for a beginner in 2026?

For absolute beginners exploring music before committing to piano exams, an unweighted arranger keyboard like the Yamaha PSR-E483 is a good low-cost start. For students planning to sit ABRSM or Trinity piano exams, an 88-key weighted digital piano such as the Yamaha P-145 or P-125 is recommended from the start, since exam technique depends on weighted key action.

Yamaha P-125 vs P-225 — which should I buy?

The P-225 is the newer, more compact successor in Yamaha's P Series, with an updated Graded Hammer Compact keyboard and the CFX concert grand sound engine. The P-125 (now sold as the P-125a) remains a well-proven, widely used option. Both suit ABRSM and Trinity exam preparation; the P-225 is the more current pick for 2026.

What's the difference between ABRSM and Trinity exam books?

ABRSM and Trinity College London are the two major UK music examination boards used in India. Each publishes its own graded repertoire books (Initial/Grade 1 through Grade 8) with a different piece list and syllabus structure, so buy the book matching the exact board and grade your teacher has entered you for.

Which ABRSM Piano Exam Pieces edition is current right now?

ABRSM's piano syllabus runs on a rolling two-year cycle. The newest edition is Piano Exam Pieces 2027 & 2028, covering Initial Grade through Grade 8, with a matching Teaching Notes volume — all available to buy in India now.