Main advantage
This Yamaha product is actually an upgrade of the well-known YPG-235 model offered by the same brand. The most important feature that makes it an excellent choice for any musician is the fact that it features 76 touch-sensitive keys, as well as a highly effective sound system that offers both power and versatility.
If you are still rather new to using such a unit, then you should know that it’s very easy to use, so you won’t have any problems getting used to it. Moreover, it can be a great addition to your home, if you have kids that are interested in learning how to play and in developing their creative skills.
Maybe you are living under the same roof with an upcoming music star and you don’t even know it, but with the help of this unit, you can surely help a beginner enhance his or her musical skills to reach new levels of performance and then maybe even become a professional in this field.
What you should know about this unit is that it’s a highly versatile one, so even if you or anyone else in your family want to try out new things in terms of music, it will all be possible with its help. Learning to play the piano might not be the easiest thing to do, especially if you are aiming for high professional levels, but this doesn’t mean that it shouldn’t be fun.
And this versatile keyboard bundle can definitely make sure that having fun is also involved in the process, given that it comes with multiple features that make it a convenient alternative. Let’s just say that besides the 76 keys included in the keyboard, there are also 165 musical styles you can choose from.
Furthermore, 154 preset songs are included in its software to help you get started, especially in those days when inspiration might be a bit harder to find, while the 574 voices that it includes are definitely going to make the entire process quite creative and, let’s face it, definitely fun. No matter if you want to get this unit for yourself or a teenager, you can both enjoy its benefits.
Besides the fact that it can even create some very nice family time around a home, this keyboard bundle will surely help any player develop his or her personal musical style, which is the most important thing that can make a difference in the future.
Buy from Amazon.com for ($329.99)
Main disadvantage
In order to learn how to use the entire unit, you’ll need to download the user’s manual online from the brand’s webpage, which is not as convenient as having it delivered within the package. If you want to practice and take a look at the manual as well, you either use another device, or you print the entire information.
While it’s true that this might be a more environmentally-friendly alternative and, let’s face it, a more efficient one for the manufacturer, it can still be less convenient, especially if someone who is not used to technology wants to give it a go as well.
Main features explained
A great practice tool
We’ve already seen that this is a versatile unit, but what makes it a really great tool for anyone who is still new to piano playing is the fact that the user can benefit from the Yamaha Educational Suite as well. This feature allows him or her to practice using various preset songs at the preferred pace.
A convenient USB port allows any kind of file transfer between the unit and other devices, as long as these are compatible with MIDI and audio files, so you’ll only need the cable to connect everything and turn this keyboard bundle into music-making software.
Moreover, while this is a unit suitable for those who are just getting started, the fact that it comes with a 76-note keyboard that is also touch-sensitive allows the user to play complex piano pieces, all of this while adding the maximum dynamic expression in the process.
For users who are not ready yet to go into complex pieces, the unit offers the Lesson Mode. This is a very useful feature that tracks the strength and velocity the keys are played at which enables the keyboard bundle to teach dynamics. Of course, this means that this is a smart model as well, so you can rest assured that anyone using it can learn at a faster pace.
As you can see, not only is this unit a great choice for any beginner, but it can also be a very nice gift idea for a family member who wants to discover his or her musical style.
Dynamic keys for enhanced sounds
One of the most important things when it comes to piano (and, of course, keyboard) playing is the quality of the keys. Luckily, this particular Yamaha unit features touch-sensitive ones, which means that the user’s hands are protected and the learning process is enhanced, even during longer practice periods.
Experienced musicians go through years of practice in order to get the musical expression that reflects their own style and makes their performances unique. However, thanks to this unit’s construction, you won’t have to wait that long in order to see what tones you like and experience with everything music has to offer in terms of tone range.
The touch-sensitive dynamic keys mean that if the user plays them heavily, he or she is going to get louder tones, while if they are played softly, the achieved sounds are quieter. This way, the pianist can first discover various styles of playing and then choose the ones that he or she wants to use in order to nuance each piece.
This means that musically expressive performances are obtained, without unnecessary effort, which also renders the entire learning process a lot easier and more pleasant. This can actually be a more important aspect than some might think, given that kids and teenagers are not necessarily prone to pursue something that they are not enjoying as well.
Therefore, the entire effort is better guided toward the learning process, making any user feel that he or she is making quick progress, which is something that can only work as a very good incentive to pursue this activity further.
High-quality construction & ready-to-use
Of course, just as it’s the case with pretty much any product we choose to have in our homes, especially one that is going to be around for a while, we always aim to get a high-quality one. The great part about this Yamaha model is that it definitely fits the bill. Moreover, given that we’re talking about a musical instrument, the sound’s quality is very important.
Yamaha is a brand well-known for the good-quality products that it offers, and this keyboard bundle is no exception to this rule. The sounds it reproduces are highly detailed ones that can help any user develop a personal sense of musical expression, while also assisting in the overall learning process.
Plus, the unit also comes with everything one needs to start playing right away, such as power supply and keyboard stand. The only thing you should keep in mind is that, in case you know where you want to place the keyboard bundle around the house, you may want to check its measurements taking the stand into account as well, in order to make sure that it fits.
For parents who want to get this unit for their kids, the great part about it is that it can be used with headphones as well. What this means is that practice hours don’t need to cause any discomfort around the house, so if the user is truly passionate and wants to spend days doing this, it’s not going to be an issue for the other family members, or neighbors for that matter.
Multiple features
As you could already tell from this comprehensive article, this Yamaha unit comes with many useful features that provide the necessary assistance to make the entire learning process fun and highly effective. One of them is the fact that the user can play along with his or her favorite songs. This can be easily done by connecting another music device to the keyboard bundle.
The result is that the music will get through the speakers and the user can simply play along, feeling like a band member in his or her own right. Furthermore, the unit also includes both tips for various on-board lessons that come with glossary, images, and other elements, as well as musical scores for the multiple built-in songs. These are all available in a downloadable songbook.
Thanks to the 165 accompaniment styles that the keyboard bundle features, the user can also enjoy having real-time band backing which uses tracks based on the particular chords that are being played. Of course, this makes the entire experience a more real one, but it also helps the entire learning process by ensuring quick skill development.
The comprehensive voice library can be used as well to add interesting touches to songs, thus bringing the creative experience to a whole new level. For parents, this can be a great unit, as kids are probably going to be very busy discovering their musical style for many hours. In the end, they might be more than happy to share this with the entire family, for a nice time together.
Buy from Amazon.com for ($329.99)