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Walk into any keyboard shop and you’ll see the same thing.
People comparing specs.
Polyphony. Sound engines. Voices. Features. Bench dimensions, apparently.
You’d think buying a keyboard was like choosing a new boiler.
And I get it. Specs feel safe. They make you feel like you’re making a smart, informed decision.
But after watching hundreds of people sit down and actually play, here’s the truth:
You’ll learn more in 30 minutes with a keyboard than you ever will from a spec sheet.
There’s always a moment I look out for.
Someone sits down at a Yamaha Clavinova – usually one with wooden keys. They’ve done the research. Watched the videos. Built it up in their head… while quietly expecting a bit of disappointment.
Then they play a few notes.
And their face changes.
A pause. A second attempt. A chord.
“Oh wow… this feels like a real piano.”
It happens every time.
And it’s not just surprise – it’s relief. Relief that it feels right. That their expectations weren’t unrealistic. That they’re not about to spend thousands on a compromise.
You don’t get that from reading specs.
Some of the things people focus on are… interesting.
Bench measurements is a classic.
I’ve never once sat on a piano bench and thought, “That’s it, can’t play today.”
They’re all broadly the same. You sit down, adjust slightly, and get on with it.
Meanwhile, the thing that does matter – how the keyboard feels – is impossible to understand on paper.
“Wooden keys” and “graded hammer action” sound great, but they only mean something once you’ve actually played them.
This is the best part of any demo.
When someone connects with a keyboard, everything changes.
They stop analysing.
They stop comparing.
They stop thinking.
They just… play.
You can see it instantly. Shoulders drop. Playing becomes more natural. More musical.
Sometimes they repeat the same thing without realising. Sometimes they drift into something new. Sometimes they just sit there for a second afterwards.
That’s the moment that matters.
And no spec sheet in the world creates that.
Here’s the reality:
People don’t fall out of love with a keyboard because it’s missing features.
They fall out of love with it because it doesn’t feel right.
You can have endless sounds and functions, but if it doesn’t respond the way you expect, it becomes something you use less and less.
On the flip side, something simpler can just click.
No overthinking. No menu diving. Just playing.
That’s when you know.
This happens more than you’d think.
Someone comes in set on a top model like a Yamaha Genos 2.
Then they try something else – maybe a Yamaha PSR-SX920.
And suddenly, they’re smiling.
Not because it’s “better” on paper – but because it feels easier. More natural. More them.
That moment can completely change their decision.
But it only happens when you sit down and play.
If you’re choosing a keyboard:
Take a break from the specs.
Go and play one. Ideally, try a couple side by side. Take your time.
And just notice:
Which one makes you forget you’re testing it?
Which one makes you want to keep playing?
Which one feels effortless?
That’s your answer.
Specs tell you what a keyboard can do.
But 30 minutes with it tells you whether you actually want to do it.
And that’s what matters.
If you’ve already got a keyboard and you’re considering a step up, a part exchange can make things much easier than you think.
You can put the value of your current instrument towards something that genuinely feels right – without starting from scratch.
Or if you’re not sure what your current keyboard is worth, just get in touch – we’re always happy to help.
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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.
We'll contact you the moment your purchase arrives with us to organise delivery, based on your selected option.
Example products: Yamaha DGX670, Yamaha P-525, Yamaha YDP-S55, Yamaha Clavinova.
These items must be sent with a heavy-goods courier (typically APC or FedEx). On occasion, depending on which is fastest, we will drop-ship directly from Yamaha to your address via Dachser.
Tracking will be provided by the haulier, with a typical arrival time of 1-2 working days.
*If you have included the optional £180 "Yamaha Premium Service" home delivery & setup option offered on selected products, we will contact you regarding arrangements after purchase.
**The Yamaha CSP Series, Yamaha CVP905 & CVP909, Yamaha CLP875, 885 & 895GP, and Yamaha NU1Xa are all sold on behalf of Yamaha and arrive with us on a per-order basis. As soon as your piano has arrived, we will contact you to organise the appropriate dispatch method. ETA for stock is shown on the product page for those items.
***If you have included the optional £99 home delivery & setup option offered on selected products, we will send your details direct to the installation team, who will contact you within 48 hours to make arrangements.
Depending on which option is most appropriate, we will either contact you to discuss a bespoke ePianos delivery surcharge for goods we can’t package for a 3rd party courier, or otherwise dispatch goods via FedEx or APC.
If a courier is used, tracking will be provided by them directly, with a typical arrival time of 1-2 working days.
Example products: Yamaha PSR-SX920, Yamaha P-225, Yamaha NP-15.
These items will be sent via courier (typically APC or FedEx). On occasion, depending on which is fastest, we will drop-ship directly from Yamaha to your address via UPS or Parcelforce.
Tracking will be provided by the courier, with a typical arrival time of 1-2 working days.
Smaller items, such as books, discs, etc, will be dispatched via Royal Mail second class.
After purchase, you can download the file either from the order confirmation page or the "Downloads" tab in "My Account".
If you have selected the option to receive a pre-loaded USB stick, then this will be dispatched via Royal Mail.
We will contact you regarding any pre-ordered items, and let you know when they arrive so as to arrange delivery with you at a convenient time.
Used items can also be purchased using either of the following options (minimum loan amount of £250 after deposit):
Total amount payable: £893.32
Available finance options are displayed at checkout. Alternatively, please get in touch and we’ll be happy to discuss the options, or email a finance application to you. Find out more by clicking here
Our seasonal opening hours are as follows:
We are closed on all bank holidays, therefore the processing of sales and deliveries will be delayed.
For orders of any stock displaying a 7-10 day lead time, we will contact you as soon as the item arrives with us to schedule a delivery with you.
Occasionally, there may be availability issues with our suppliers, in which case we'll get in touch with you to see if you're happy to wait, or if you'd like to cancel the order and receive a full refund.
This is a special order "agency" item, and comes to us directly from Yamaha on a per-order basis.
It typically takes 7-10 days for this item to arrive with us, whereupon we'll contact you to discuss the arrangement of delivery.
For any pre-orders, we will contact you as soon as the item arrives with us to schedule a delivery with you, and update you with an ETA.
Occasionally, there may be availability issues with our suppliers, in which case we'll get in touch with you to see if you're happy to wait, or if you'd like to cancel the order and receive a full refund.
*Cashback amount varies product to product, as indicated.
Comments:
I agree totally with this. It may be the greatest most expensive machine but if you can’t take to it and get what you need out of it, then you will not play it and will fall out of love with it. I play my Genos2 every day for a couple of hours since I got it and never tire of the sounds. If you don’t take to all the preset sounds (there are so many you will always find something to suit your music) you can personalise them. The support and knowledge you receive in the videos and emails from E-pianos is huge and help to get the most out of your machine for your needs and abilities is always forthcoming.
Thank you E-Pianos, great company with great instruments!
That’s a brilliant way of putting it, and we completely agree 👍
The Yamaha Genos2 really does reward you the more time you spend with it, especially with the depth of sounds and how easily you can personalise everything to suit your own style.
We really appreciate your kind words about the support as well. That’s exactly what we aim for, helping people get the most out of their instrument and enjoy playing it every day.
If you ever want more ideas or inspiration, there’s always something new here:
https://www.epianos.co.uk/newsroom/