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If you are anything like me, the numbers that correlate to the different pianos in the Yamaha range can be incredibly confusing initially. I hope this blog will help to explain a little about the P series of Yamaha pianos, how they compare to each other in a ‘one-stop-blog’.
In the first instance, the ‘P’ stands for Portable. All these pianos weigh under 25kg and can be packed away either after use or if gigging should you require. That’s not to say that they can’t remain out permanently using the appropriate L stand for the model.
I will start with the lower spec model to the higher, so you can see how they compare.
Number of keys: 88
Weighted – yes
GHS – yes
This piano has 10 voices and 64 polyphony, so it is a great first keyboard with all you would need if you wanted to start off but were unsure how far you might take it. It weighs in at 11.5kg so is very convenient for carrying around.
The cons are that it does only have 64 polyphony and 10 voices, so if you knew you were going to be playing some Chopin for example, or wanted to change the sounds a lot, it’s probably not going to be the piano for you. It also has the voices changed by pressing a particular key, so you need to remember this or keep the manual to hand.
This piano requires an L85 stand if you were to keep it permanently out but can fit onto the collapsible XX braced stands making it easy for somewhere if space is at a premium.
Number of keys: 73
Weighted – yes
GHS – yes
This piano has 24 voices and 20 rhythms and a 192 polyphony, making it the next step up in terms of sounds and ability to play more advanced pieces, but it does have 73 keys. The 15 missing keys are not the most commonly played, so you may not realise it even as an intermediate player.
The accessibility of the functions to change the voices are easier to access with buttons and a selection of 1, 2 or 3 to change the voice within each group. Ultimately it is the smaller relation to the P125a.
Again, it is compact, weighing in at just 10kg (amazing how much 15 extra keys weigh!) and can be totally portable with the collapsible stand or kept as a piece of furniture with the L121 stand.
There are also two way speakers on this chap making the sound much more multidirectional.
9m
Watch Chris compare the Yamaha P-45 & P-125 portable pianos
Number of keys: 88
Weighted – yes
GHS – yes
The P125A has recently replaced the P125 and I won’t deny there have been some disgruntled Yamaha devotees who have not been impressed with this change. It would appear that the main issue has been that due to the lack of availability of a chip from suppliers, the 125A no longer has a midi output. However, as a keyboard, nothing else appears to be hugely different. It feels to me that rather than this being a launch of a new version, it’s possibly an ‘adaptation’ of the original due to the missing chip. Perhaps ‘a’ stands for ‘adapted’?
This is our best selling Portable piano. It has 24 voices, 192 polyphony, 20 rhythms, a 2 track recording facility, the same multi dimensional speakers as on the P121. Again, if the requirement is for a standing piece of furniture, then the L125 is required.
Number of keys: 88
Weighted – yes
GHS – yes
Ok, so we are moving into serious territory here. The P515 delivers Clavinova quality to the P series with both the CFX and Bosendorfer pianos featuring in the piano sounds. Furthermore, the keys are wooden, so the feel of the piano will be a far more authentic to an acoustic. It also has the escapement mechanism, meaning that the keys pull away from the strings immediately after playing to prevent sounds running into each other.
As you might expect for a higher spec model, the speakers are also better, bigger and better in shape and design. This keyboard has a small visual display so you can see which voices you have selected.
You can also change the sound of the type of instrument you choose through a function called ‘Piano Room’. In Piano Room you can change things such as the height of the piano lid, the resonance and reverb. Some of these can be changed on the previous models, but you will need to press specific keys rather than just having it all on a visual display. It also has Bluetooth connectivity.
Number of keys: 88
Weighted: yes
GHS: yes
So for all you sharp folk out there, you’ll have noticed that I have got an extra letter in this particular instrument. So we have P for portable and now S for ‘smart‘ (feels a bit like my previous life teaching Jolly Phonics!). The smart function in this portable keyboard is the same as the CSP range. So what this means is that this instrument is designed to work to its fullest capacity when attached to a device such as a tablet or phone.
When connected, the P-S500 has 660 sounds and 403 songs as well as a plethora of rhythms and backings. It still has the CFX and Bosendorfer piano sounds within the 660. It creates much more of a workstation than a conventional piano.
The other exciting feature of the P-S500 is the stream light facility which enables you to play along to your favourite songs by following the digital lights over the keys.
It also has a score follow function available when connected to your device, again, allowing you to read the music and play along. I have my reservations with this for experienced pianists, but that’s just for the same reasons I don’t follow recipes either, however for beginners it is a great feature as you can slow down the tempo too.
As you would expect with all the tech, this is the heaviest of the series, weighing in at 21.8kg, so may appeal less to gigging musicians. However, set up on a wooden stand, the L300 to be exact for this model, you have all the features of the CSP series but in a slimline version.
Hopefully, I haven’t confused you even further and, if I have (apologies), you can always give us a call here at ePianos where the team will be glad to answer your questions.
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These items are sold on behalf of Yamaha, and are sent to us on a per-order basis, typically within 5-7 working days, unless an ETA is otherwise stated.
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Example products: Yamaha DGX670, Yamaha P-525, Yamaha YDP-S55, Yamaha Clavinova.
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Example products: Yamaha PSR-SX920, Yamaha P-225, Yamaha NP-15.
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