MY TRAVEL PIANO FOLLOW-UP: The On/Off Relationship
Here I am, sitting on a train from Switzerland to Germany, playing on my travel piano. Honestly, I thought I was done with it. After the initial excitement wore off, the foldable keyboard sat untouched for months—I was even about to donate it.
At first, I was thrilled by the idea of having easy access to a keyboard while on tour. But that excitement gradually faded.
Some of the original pros still hold up:
It's lightweight
It has a full 88-key range
It fits nicely into my carry-on
The battery lasts all day
But the list of cons has grown:
Contrary to my initial experience, it doesn't pass through airport security smoothly. I must've had beginner’s luck at first, because now I get pulled aside every single time. That’s an extra 10 minutes I could do without.
The built-in lithium battery means it can’t go in checked baggage—carry-on only. I hadn’t realized how limiting that would be. It adds another layer of packing logistics.
These, along with the cons I mentioned in my first review, were enough to make me shelve the piano entirely. But something kept tugging at me, telling me to give it another try.
And I did.
Now, as I’m back using it, I’m feeling unexpectedly positive about the whole thing. What changed?
I think it’s the sheer volume of repertoire I’m juggling right now. Having a solid three-hour block to focus while on an ICE train makes a huge difference. It’s enough to outweigh the annoyances. Just being able to check fingerings or rehearse passages on the go has turned out to be worth it after all.
So, should you get a foldable travel piano?
If you're even asking the question, I'd say yes—at least to try it. At around $75, it’s a relatively low-risk investment.
I’m definitely glad I brought mine on this trip.
READ MY INITIAL REVIEW HERE