Yamaha is a top-tier manufacturer of keyboard instruments worldwide, offering a diverse range of products. Their lineup includes entry-level keyboards for children and impressive concert grand pianos.
We’ve curated a list of Yamaha’s best keyboards and digital pianos across various price points. Our options range in price from a few hundred to several thousand dollars.
Yamaha’s keyboards and digital pianos provide remarkable quality and adaptability for musicians of all skill levels.
Here are 7 best Yamaha Keyboards and Digital Pianos
- Yamaha Arius YDP-103
- Yamaha Clavinova CLP-735
- Yamaha CP88
- Yamaha Arius YDP-165
- Yamaha P-125
- Yamaha Piaggero NP-12
- Yamaha DGX-670
1. Yamaha Arius YDP-103
The Yamaha YDP-103, despite its age, remains a top contender for the best digital piano under $1000. Its exceptional value for money makes it an obvious choice for beginners and intermediate players.
With a graded hammer-action keyboard, the YDP-103 strikes an ideal balance between weight and touch sensitivity, making it perfect for transitioning from portable keyboards to digital pianos.
The YDP-103’s AWM sampling technology produces an impressive grand piano sound, one of the best in its price range. While its polyphony of 64 notes may not compare to high-end digital pianos, it’s sufficient for most players.
This straightforward digital piano offers quality sounds and features at a fair price. With ten different voices, the Yamaha YDP-103 is a reliable choice for beginner to intermediate players who want a high-quality digital piano that won’t break the bank.
2. Yamaha Clavinova CLP-735
The Yamaha Clavinova CLP-735 is an outstanding digital piano that we recommend regardless of the price. Its realistic playing experience is so captivating that you may forget you’re not at an acoustic piano.
This digital piano has an authentic sound and feel that is worth every penny, especially for serious pianists. The CLP-735 is a remarkable example of how realistic a digital piano can sound and feel.
Yamaha’s Real Grand Expression technology with real wooden keys provides a weighted feel that encourages expressive playing. The keys provide just the right amount of resistance to create a realistic playing experience.
The Clavinova CLP-735 features two iconic grand piano voices that pair perfectly with the real wooden keys. The Yamaha CFX concert grand and the legendary Bösendorfer Imperial offer contrasting tones that are perfect for a variety of musical genres.
With a blend of bright and dark tones, the contrasting voices of these two pianos make the Clavinova CLP-735 an excellent choice for many genres of music. This digital piano delivers an exceptional playing experience that serious pianists will appreciate.
3. Yamaha CP88
The Yamaha CP88 stage piano is a unique instrument that may not appeal to everyone. However, we consider it one of Yamaha’s best keyboards in recent years due to its retro-modern-vintage approach.
This full-size stage piano features excellent acoustic and electric piano sounds with vintage effects that add character. The AWM2 tone generator accurately recreates the sound of Yamaha’s iconic 1970s Combo Piano.
In addition, the CP88 features one of the most sought-after acoustic piano sounds from the Bösendorfer Imperial 290. As far as acoustic/electric piano sounds go, the CP88 is exceptional, and the built-in effects come from Yamaha’s Virtual Circuitry Modeling.
Thanks to its clever modular layout, changing and tweaking sounds and effects on the fly is quick and easy. This speedy workflow makes the Yamaha CP88 an ideal choice for the stage, where musicians need to adapt quickly.
4. Yamaha Arius YDP-165
The Yamaha Arius YDP-165 is an intermediate-level digital piano that delivers high-quality sound and realistic feel. The graded hammer-action keyboard with synthetic ebony and ivory keytops offers a great playing experience.
It features the sound of Yamaha’s flagship piano, the CFX concert grand, which is one of the best piano sounds available. The half-damper pedal control adds to the realism of the playing experience.
With hundreds of built-in songs and 303 practice exercises, the YDP-165 is perfect for serious players looking to improve their skills. Although it’s a little pricey for beginners, it’s a great investment for anyone on a serious journey towards becoming an advanced player.
The YDP-165 is a newer addition to the Arius range that shows Yamaha’s commitment to blending updated technology with classic Arius looks. It’s an excellent choice for anyone looking for a sophisticated piano that offers a clear advancement in technology.
5. Yamaha P-125
The Yamaha P-125 is a top choice for performers who want a no-nonsense stage piano at an affordable price. Its focus is on delivering a great piano sound, and it does that well. However, if you’re looking for more features, it may not be the right choice for you.
The P-125’s graded hammer-action keys with matte keytops provide a realistic playing experience. Plus, features like key-off samples and resonance add to the authenticity.
The Pure CF sound engine delivers a detailed reproduction of the Yamaha CFIIIS concert grand sound. Although it’s not quite on par with the CFX engine, it still sounds excellent and offers great value.
While the P-125 may not have a wide range of features, it does have some useful ones like Sound Boost and the Stereophonic Optimizer. They make a significant difference in the sound quality, particularly when playing through headphones.
Finally, the P-125’s weight makes it an ideal choice for performers who need portability. At just 26 lbs, it’s easy to carry around and set up wherever you need it. Overall, if you’re looking for a great sounding and portable stage piano, the Yamaha P-125 is an excellent choice.
6. Yamaha Piaggero NP-12
The Yamaha NP-12 is an excellent option for beginners due to its simplicity and focus on sound quality. While it lacks many features, this allows players to concentrate on playing and improving their skills. The grand piano voice is exceptional, and the other ten sounds offer enough variation to encourage exploration.
Although not one of Yamaha’s top-tier keyboards, the NP-12 is still a fantastic choice for its class. It offers beginners the illusion of a more professional instrument without the high cost, making it an accessible option for younger players.
The sleek and straightforward design of the NP-12 gives it the appearance of a more grown-up instrument, which some children may appreciate. It’s a refreshing change from the typical brightly-colored beginner keyboards.
The keyboard is portable and lightweight, making it easy to transport to lessons or performances. While it may not have all the bells and whistles of more expensive models, the NP-12 is a reliable and affordable option for anyone just starting on their musical journey.
7. Yamaha DGX-670
The DGX-670 is an outstanding arranger keyboard with a plethora of sounds and connectivity options. It’s a favorite among singer-songwriters and is widely regarded as one of the best on the market.
Despite its low price point, it delivers the incredible sound of the Yamaha CFX, making it one of the most affordable ways to experience this iconic piano.
With hundreds of high-quality voices, including Super Articulation Voices that add expression to non-keyboard instruments, the DGX-670 is perfect for budding composers and performers alike.
In addition to its recording capabilities, the DGX-670 has a microphone input, making it ideal for rehearsals and live performances. It’s a versatile and powerful tool for musicians at all levels.
Overall, the DGX-670 is a significant improvement over previous models and an excellent choice for anyone looking for a top-of-the-line arranger keyboard that won’t break the bank.
Some FAQs :
Q: What should I look for when buying a Yamaha keyboard or digital piano?
A: When buying a Yamaha keyboard or digital piano, you should consider the number and quality of the instrument voices, the key action, the sound quality, the built-in features, and the overall durability and portability of the instrument.
Q: Are Yamaha keyboards and digital pianos good for beginners?
Yes, Yamaha keyboards and digital pianos are a great choice for beginners. They often include built-in lesson functions, touch-sensitive keys, and a wide range of instrument voices and backing tracks to help beginners learn and improve their playing skills.
Q: What is the difference between a weighted and a non-weighted keyboard?
A: Weighted keyboards have keys that are designed to mimic the feel of an acoustic piano, with heavier keys at the lower end and lighter keys at the higher end. Non-weighted keyboards, on the other hand, have keys that all feel the same and are generally easier to play.
Q: What is the benefit of having a touch-sensitive keyboard?
A touch-sensitive keyboard allows the player to control the volume and dynamics of each note based on the strength of their touch. This adds expressiveness and nuance to the playing, making it more realistic and enjoyable.
Q: How do I maintain and care for my Yamaha keyboard or digital piano?
A: To maintain your Yamaha keyboard or digital piano, you should keep it clean and free of dust and debris, avoid exposing it to extreme temperatures or humidity, and store it properly when not in use. You should also have it serviced and tuned regularly to keep it in good condition.
Conclusion:
To conclude, Yamaha keyboards and digital pianos offer a diverse range of features and prices that cater to all levels of musicians. From beginners to professionals, there is something for everyone. We hope this list has been helpful in finding the perfect Yamaha keyboard or digital piano that suits your needs and budget.
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