Yamaha Keyboards

The Yamaha P71 (sometimes referred to as the Yamaha P 71 or Yamaha P-71) keyboard is an entry-level digital piano that’s designed to provide an excellent playing experience, some high-end Yamaha features, and 88 keys – at an affordable price.

The P71 is the most economical model from the “P” series, which is Yamaha’s portable line of 88-key keyboards.

So what are the stand-out features of the P71, and how does it compare to other models? Let’s find out!

Overview of Yamaha P71

The  P71 is a high-quality, compact digital piano, with all the features you need to practice and play piano music with a wide range of styles, rhythms, and sounds. It’s also lightweight, portable, and easy to set up and use anywhere.  If you are just starting out, this is a great entry level piano.

Unlimited creativity – The ability to connect to a computer via USB enables you to connect the Yamaha P71 with a range of programs and apps that will help record, mix, and playback the music that you create. There are many programs with advanced features that can add powerful capabilities to the instrument, making it even more versatile.

In this review we will take an in-depth look at the features, specifications, and pros & cons of the Yamaha P71 digital piano.

Yamaha P71 vs P45

One question we are often asked is how is the Yamaha P71 different from the Yamaha P45? 

The answer is that they are functionally the same keyboard, but the P71 is an Amazon Exclusive Model, eligible for special offers and bundles.

Yamaha P71 Digital Piano (Amazon Exclusive) Deluxe Bundle with Furniture Stand and Bench

See Reviews and More

 

What does the term “Amazon Exclusive” mean? The Yamaha model number P71 was created by Yamaha for Amazon, and the piano can only be sold on the Amazon Marketplace. Because it is an Amazon exclusive item, the digital piano can be sold at a lower price than the P45.

What else is different about Yamaha P71 vs P45? Since the product is only sold on the Amazon Marketplace, Amazon can bundle the keyboard with accessories, such as a piano bench, or a piano stand, and sell the bundle at a lower price than it would cost if you bought the individual pieces separately. As a consumer, you win!  You can take advantage of the exclusive deal with Amazon to get an even better price on the Yamaha P-71 – a piano keyboard that is functionally identical to the P45 – than if you bought the keyboard from some place other than Amazon.

Video Overview of Yamaha P71

Quick video overview of Yamaha P71.

Yamaha P71 FAQs

Specifications of Yamaha P71

Specification	Description
Weight	25 pounds
Sound	AMW Stereo sampling 64 max polyphony 10 voices
Reverb	Adjustable reverb effect, 4 reverb types:   Room Hall1 Hall2 Stage
Functions	Dual / layers Duo Metronome Transpose Fine tuning
Keyboard	88 keys Graded hammer standard key weight system Hard/medium/soft/fixed touch sensitivity
USB	Includes USB to host connectivity
Auto Power	Includes Auto power off

Yamaha P71 88 Key Specification

The Yamaha P71 88 Key Specification is significant because 88 keys are the number of keys on a full sized acoustic piano.  Some electric pianos have fewer keys to save space. The P-71, however, is a better option, because it is both lightweight and has a full-sized keyboard.

If you are a beginner, a full sized keyboard is imperative so that you learn good technique and are aware of the layout of keyboard. Don’t settle for fewer keys.  If you take piano lessons at a teacher’s house, or give a performance on a grand piano, then you will be able to transition easily from your digital piano to an acoustic.

If you are intermediate or advance pianist, or a composer, then you will demand that the keyboard be full sized so that you have access to the full range of scales.  In this case, the Yamaha P71 88 Key Specification will meet your needs.

Advanced Wave Memory (AWM) Sampling

The Yamaha P71  uses Advanced Wave Memory Sampling (AWM Sampling) to play the notes.  The result of this is that, when you are using the grand piano voice, each note you play sounds as if it were played on a Grand Piano. You do not hear a simple tone each time you press a piano key;  instead you hear a complex and rich note.  The note that plays was generated by recording the sound of grand piano using different microphones.

88 Key Weighted Action

The Yamaha P71  has 88 Key Weighted action.  This makes the keyboard feel as if were on an acoustic piano.  There are two important aspects to this.  First, the more force you use to play a note, the louder it sounds.  Second, the keys at the lower end are harder to play.

In an acoustic piano, the keys on the keyboard all have different weights.  This enables the piano to operate properly. Pressing a key engages a series of levers that cause a hammer to strike a string, causing vibration, and you hear the sound.  The lower notes have thicker strings and require more force to strike.  The 88 Key Weighted action of the P71 mimics the force required.

Because of this, when you play the Yamaha P71 it will feel like you are playing an acoustic piano, and it will be easy to move between the digital piano and an acoustic upright or a grand piano.

Yamaha uses several technologies in its pianos to recreate the feel of the keyboard. Graded Hammer Standard (GHS) is the technology used in the P71.

Ten Voices, Dual Mode and Reverb

“Voice” refers to the type of instrument that you hear when you play a digital piano.  Since the piano is electronic, you are not limited to hearing only the sound or a piano.  With Dual Mode, you can also use two voices at a time.

The Yamaha P-71 has 10 voices:

Two organs, two harpsichords, two electric pianos, one vibraphone, one strings, and two grand pianos.

There are also four types of Reverb.

64-Note Polyphony

Polyphony is the number of notes or sounds that can be played at one time.  The Yamaha P-71 has a 64-note polyphony.   If you had a 3 note chord in your left hand and melody and harmony in your right hand, you would need to have 5-note polyphony.   64-note polyphony does not mean that you would have to play a 64 note chord, however.  If you are using dual mode with two voices, reverb, or duo mode, then these sounds layer and the number of notes that are played at one time can add up.  64  is a good standard; higher end keyboards have 128-note polyphony.

Duo Mode

With Duo Mode, the keyboard becomes two pianos, each with 44 keys.  This is excellent for playing next to your teacher during a piano lesson or for performing a duet.

Physical Aspects

One of the best features of the Yamaha P-71 is its portability.  It weighs 25 lb.,  4 oz. (11.5 kg), so it is easy to move around.  It will rest on a table when you are ready to play it.  The dimensions are 54.25 in. x 6.0 in. x 11.5 in. (132.6 cm x 15.4 cm x 29.5 cm).

The piano has two built in 6 Watt amplifiers, and two built in speakers.

It is powered with a Yamaha PA-150 AC adapter that provides 12V DC in.  There is a USB to Host port on the back.  You can use this to connect the piano to a computer.

It is shipped with single sustain pedal, and cannot be fitted with 3 pedals, which would mimic an acoustic. However, the sustain pedal is most important.

The piano requires no assembly other than connecting power, and can be played right out of the box.

A music stand and a metronome are built in.  The piano does not come with a stand or a bench however.  That is where the special Amazon Bundles fill in the gaps.  Look at the bundle below, for example:

Yamaha P71 Digital Piano (Amazon Exclusive) Bundle with Z Stand and Bench

• Includes the P71 88-Key Weighted Digital Piano, PKBZ1 Z-Style Stand, PKBB1 Adjustable Bench, Sustain Pedal, Music Rest & Power Adapter
• 88 fully weighted piano-style keys simulate the feel of an acoustic piano and provide a quality playing experience
• Stand Height: up to 29″, Width: 19.75″ – 25.0″, Depth: 13.25″
• NOTE: Yamaha piano lays flat on the adjustable surface and does not bolt to stand
• Adjustable padded keyboard bench provides comfort and stability

See Reviews and More

Who is the Yamaha P71 Suitable For?

The Yamaha P-71 is a great digital piano for people who want to experience the feel and sound of an acoustic piano.

How come you might ask?

Because the P-71 has 88 keys, just like an acoustic piano (many keyboards and lower-end digital pianos have only 76 keys, or even 61 keys).

It’s great for learning, teaching, and rehearsing in a compact space, at an affordable price.

The P-71 is also highly portable, simple to learn and operate, and has the feel and sound of a high-quality, Yamaha piano. It’s a highly recommended digital piano for beginners and new pianists, so they don’t pick up bad habits from a non- or poorly-weighted keyboard.

The  P-71 is also a good choice for musicians who need to travel often, and who want great sound in a lightweight, portable package. It doesn’t have all the features that an experienced, professional piano player may need for a performance, but for more casual settings or collaborations, it’s a great choice.

What’s Included in the Box of Yamaha P71?

The basic package comes with the piano, a power adapter, and sustain pedal:

Summary of Features of the Yamaha P71

FEATURE	DESCRIPTION
Portable size	The Yamaha P71 weighs just 25 pounds, and has a depth of less than 12 inches, making it easy to move, transport, and set up nearly anywhere.
Advanced sound sampling	Advanced Wave Memory sampling is Yamaha’s classic sound engine. Sound is captured with two pairs of microphones, for left and right waveforms that give a deeper, richer, and more spacious sound.
88 keys	The 88 key keyboard has been carefully designed. The graded hammer standard key weight technology has a heavier touch on the low end of the keyboard, and a lighter feel in the high notes. Practicing with correctly weighted keys builds proper finger technique that translates easily to an acoustic piano. Touch sensitivity can be adjusted for hard, medium, or soft playing, or touch sensitivity can be disabled altogether.
Matte finish	The black keys on this digital piano are treated with a matte finish so they do not get slippery during extended play.
Many voices	A library of 10 piano voices (instrument voices) give you endless opportunities to layer sounds for rich, sustained, complex musical compositions. Voices include grand piano, electric piano, organ, harpsichord, vibraphone, and strings. It also has 4 reverb and chorus effects, including Room, Hall1, Hall2, and Stage reverb settings.

FEATURE	DESCRIPTION
Polyphony of 64	Polyphony measures the instrument’s ability to play multiple sounds at once. While 64 is an ample quantity for most needs, some voices use 4 or more elements at once, and that’s before you begin sustaining and layering in complex sounds. When the polyphony is exceeded, some sounds may prematurely decay or even abruptly cut off, so it’s a good idea not to exceed the P71’s maximum polyphony capabilities.
Fine tuning	While the piano never needs tuning, you can still use the fine tuning feature to adjust the pitch of the entire instrument. This feature is useful when you play along with other musicians or prerecorded music.
Dual mode	This feature allows you to layer sounds together, such as piano and strings, and play two instruments at once. The transpose function allows you to control and adjust semitones, and is perfect for accompanying a vocalist.
Automatic shut-off	The piano will automatically shut off after a period of inactivity, in order to conserve power. You can adjust this feature or disable it if you prefer.
USB	USB output allows you to easily connect the P71 to your computer or mobile device for recording and playback using compatible apps.
“Duo” function	The P71’s Duo function splits the keyboard in half, so two players can each have a 44 key keyboard and their own middle C. This is perfect for piano lessons, allowing teacher and student to play at the same time, and use the metronome function to keep time.

Accessories You Should Consider

To make the most of your Yamaha P71, and make sure that your at-home, digital piano experience is the best practice so that you can move to an analogue piano if you choose, you should also consider a few important accessories.

Headphones

While unfortunately many people buy an adaptor so they can use their existing earbuds with their new Yamaha, that isn’t the best choice.

Studio Headphones not only allow you to practice playing piano without disturbing the neighbors, but they can also provide an excellent rich, clear sound quality that is often missing in small, built-in speakers and in earbuds.

Some excellent headphones for learning piano are the Some excellent headphones for learning piano are the Sony MDR7506 Professional headphones. They have built-in noise cancellation to reduce distractions, have fantastic sound, fold for easy portability, and are light weight for hours of comfortable use. The high-quality connectors ensure extra durability, and the generous, 9.8-foot cord gives plenty of length to reach to the back of the P71, where the headphone jack is. These professional headphones are a great investment in learning piano and making the most of your keyboard time.

Foot Pedal

The P71 bundle comes with a sustain pedal, but, as with the weighted keys, it is better to learn and practice on a foot pedal that is closer to the experience of an analogue piano.

The M-Audio SP-2 Universal Sustain Pedal feels and works just like an acoustic piano pedal, with realistic resistance and response, and half-pedal capabilities. The rubber bottom grips the floor while you play, and it is rugged and built to last.

Carrying Case

If you plan on taking advantage of the portability of the Yamaha P71, it’s best to get a carrying case. For short trips and easy transport, the Yamaha Artiste Series keyboard bag for 88-note keyboards is an excellent choice.

For frequent travel, air travel, and more rugged use, the Gator Cases Padded Keyboard Gig bag is made of heavy-duty ballistic nylon with reinforced riveted carrying handles. The adjustable padded straps securely hold a keyboard in place and protect it during transport, and it has convenient large #10 zippers.

Pros & Cons of Yamaha P71

PROS

Full size keyboard Light weight and compact size Graded hammer standard key weight system 4 levels of touch sensitivity 4 levels of reverb AWM stereo sampling gives full, rich piano sound 64 polyphony 10 voices Dual mode (layer two different instrument voices) Duo mode (split keyboard for two players) Transpose feature (control and adjust semitones) Built-in metronome Simple, single-button operation Auto off feature USB out to a computer Matte black keys

cons
No built-in recording function Headphone jack is in the rear Only 64 max polyphony Comes only with a single sustain pedal instead of 3 pedals

Yamaha P71 Manual

If you’d like to check out the nitty-gritty of the Yamaha electric piano, here’s a link to the model’s manual:

CLICK TO DOWNLOAD MANUAL

An Alternative Product to Consider

If your goal is to learn to pay the piano, with an intention to go on to playing acoustic piano, there really isn’t a better keyboard for a beginner than the Yamaha P71. It’s important for beginners to learn with a full-size, properly weighted keyboard, so that their finger technique will be correct for an acoustic piano, and the P71 is the best fully weighted keyboard in a portable size at this price range.

source

However, if you want to learn to play the piano and remain a digital-only musician, then the fully weighted keys are not so important, and you have a lot more options.

In that instance, a great choice is the Casio CTK4400 61-key keyboard. The keys are touch-sensitive, and it has 600 voices, 48-note polyphony, and reverb effects. It comes with 180 preset rhythms and 152 built-in songs.

As you would expect from Casio, it has sampling and recording capabilities, with MIDI and audio inputs. 32 registration memories let you store your settings and retrieve them quickly. It weighs just 15 pounds, and comes with a built-in learning system. It’s a great choice for beginner digital musicians who want light weight, portability, versatility, and a lot of features at a low cost.​

Update August 2021

Update as of August, 2021: The excellent Casio CTK 4400 is no longer available. Try this similar, more up to date option from Alesis, the Alesis Recital:

Yamaha P71 Digital Piano Review by C-Tech Solutions

About Yamaha

Yamaha was founded in 1897 by Torakusu Yamaha.  The initial product was a reed organ.  The company moved into upright pianos, then grand pianos, then expanded to manufacture a wide variety of musical instruments and musical equipment.

The company was first listed on the Tokyo stock exchange in 1949.  Today, it makes an unprecedented number of products for the music industry, including digital mixing systems, electric guitars and violins, and of course, pianos.

Their headquarters are in Hamamatsu, Japan, and there is a museum there called Innovation Road.  Yamaha has numerous factories, and the piano factory in Kakegawa, Japan offers tours. (Here is a link directly to the tours but it is written in Japanese.)

When you are playing your Yamaha P-71 digital piano, you can be rest assured that you are playing an instrument that has been borne out of generations of expertise.

Conclusion

To conclude this Yamaha P71 review, it is safe to say that this digital piano is an excellent choice to learn to play the piano, with a realistic graded hammer standard key weight system to learn correct finger techniques and build strength and endurance.

It’s also a great piano for teachers to use with students, because the fully weighted keyboard and touch sensitivity are good for students, and Duo mode allows you to sit beside a student and play along with them.

The built-in metronome is useful for learning or practicing, and it’s useful to record lessons and play them back with the handy iOS apps that are compatible with this keyboard. It’s also a great choice for musicians who travel to gigs, because it is so portable and lightweight.

The range of polyphony and instrument voices allow you to produce a range of full, rich, layered sounds from anywhere, at any time. Many professional musicians will wish that it had greater polyphony capabilities, and would prefer better onboard recording functions, but it’s a good tradeoff for the incredible Yamaha sound and keyboard feel in this price range.

The Yamaha P71 is recommended by piano teachers everywhere as being an excellent, affordable option for beginners, with all the tools and capabilities a person needs to learn to play the piano well, and build skills that translate easily to acoustic pianos.

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The Yamaha Arius series is designed to be a superior digital piano for both beginners and experienced players. These console-style pianos offer authentic piano quality, and the YDP163 is a keyboard built for more serious playing, to advance your skills with all the convenience of a digital piano, and the sound and performance of an acoustic piano.

Overview of the Yamaha Arius YDP163

The Yamaha YDP163 is a console-style digital piano with authentic, grand piano sound and playing experience. The key surface and keyboard weight are designed to replicate the experience of playing a grand piano, to build fingering skills without slipping. The Pure CF sound engine provides the same rich, resonant sound of a Yamaha CFIIIS 9′ concert grand piano, with technologies that improve the audio quality when heard through headphones. Pedals mimic the feel, touch, and behavior of a grand piano, with accurate resistance and half-pedal functions.

Even with all these features that mimic an acoustic grand piano, the Yamaha YDP163 also has special capabilities that only advanced digital technologies can provide. It’s compact and stylish, to fit into even small spaces. Digital technologies let you play back, record, change voices, transpose, and even save your settings for easy retrieval later. And you can adjust the volume or play with headphones, making this piano friendly for shared living spaces or apartments.

Yamaha YDP163 Video Overview

Yamaha YDP163 Specs

Specification	Description
Size	57 x 22.9 x 18.9 inches
Weight	92 pounds
Keyboard	– 88 keys with synthetic ivory key tops – GH3 weight system – Hard/medium/soft/fixed touch response
Pedals	– Three: damper, sostenuto, soft – Half pedal functions
Sound	– Pure CF sound engine – Damper resonance – 192 max polyphony – 10 voices
Effects	– 4 types of reverb – Intelligent Acoustic Control – Stereophonic optimizer – Acoustic optimizer
MIDI Playback	Yes, MIDI playback and recording
Songs	– 10 demo songs, 50 preset songs – Onboard song memory for 1 song, 2 tracks
Headphone Jacks	2 standard jacks
Functions	– Dual/Layers function – Duo keyboard function – Metronome function – Transpose function – Lesson functions – Fine tuning function
Sliding key cover	Yes
Onboard amplifiers	2
Onboard speakers	2
Headphone jacks	2 standard jacks
Sheet music rest	Yes
Auto power	Yes, auto power off
Finish	Comes in dark rosewood or black walnut finish
USB	USB to host connectivity

Who the Product Is Best Suited For

The Yamaha YDP163 is designed to closely reproduce the feel, sound, and experience of playing a concert grand piano in a home environment. It is intended to be a realistic, effective instrument for building the skills, techniques, and expressions that will be effective in an acoustic piano, while remaining more compact, versatile, and affordable than an acoustic piano. This is a digital piano designed to meet the needs of those who do or will play a grand piano.

For that reason, while the 10 piano voices may be a fun accessory, they aren’t really needed for concert practice. And it’s somewhat more piano than is necessary for absolute beginners to get started.

Because the Yamaha YDP163 is a greater investment, with a larger footprint in the home than a simple digital keyboard, it is designed for those who take their playing seriously and intend to authentically replicate a grand piano experience. Early beginners and gig musicians may be better served by a digital piano that is more compact, portable, and affordable than the YDP163.

What’s Included With the Yamaha YDP163?

Yamaha YDP163 Features

The Yamaha YDP163 is carefully designed to provide the sound and physical sensation of playing a high-quality analogue piano, along with the convenience, features, and customization options only available in a digital instrument, and still remain compact in size and affordable in price. It’s an ambitious balancing act, and Yamaha succeeds admirably in the YDP163. It’s loaded with advanced features and capabilities that are hard to find in this price range.

FEATURE	DESCRIPTION
Synthetic ivory key	Synthetic ivory key tops provide a non-slip, tactile surface for the keys, reducing moisture and improving control.
Pure CF Sound	The Pure CF Sound Engine faithfully reproduces the sound of the famous Yamaha CFIIIS 9′ concert grand piano, for exceptional quality, dynamics, and expressiveness in a digital piano.
Graded hammer	The graded hammer 3 standard for keyboard weighting in the Yamaha YDP163 uses the same hammer system and springless mechanism of a grand piano. It reproduces the touch of an acoustic piano, with heavier feeling in the lower register, to a lighter touch in the upper octaves. The advanced 3-sensor configuration senses and interprets key behavior to provide the response and feel of a grand piano, with expressive control and authentic key repetition.
Three pedals	To fully simulate the look and feel of an upright piano, the Yamaha YDP163 has three pedals. The sustain pedal removes all the dampers to allow the strings to continue to vibrate and… well, sustain a note. The soft pedal (also known as the “una corda” pedal) enhances the sound of notes that are played softly. The sostenuto pedal is used to sustain only selected notes, rather than all the notes overall like a sustain pedal; one note can be sustained while others are played more percussively.
Stereophonic Optimizer	The Stereophonic Optimizer is a proprietary Yamaha technology that enhances the sound of the piano when played wearing headphones. It separates headphone sound from the piano sound, to create a spacious surround sound experience.
Intelligent Acoustic Control	Another Yamaha exclusive is Intelligent Acoustic Control. Without it, digital pianos can lose sound quality when played at a low volume (for example, practicing at home). IAC automatically adjusts speaker equalizer settings to compensate for speaker volume, and allows for more clarity and depth of sound, even when played quietly. The cabinet itself is designed with Acoustic Optimizer technology, that regulates the flow and control of sound as it moves from the instrument to the cabinet. It creates greater tonal richness and smoothness as you play.
Compatible with App	The Yamaha YDP163 is compatible with the Digital Piano Controller app, optimized for iOS touchscreen devices. It makes accessing and adjusting settings faster and easier, and streamlines recording and playback. It also stores your settings, so you can retrieve them quickly.

How to Make The Most of a Yamaha YDP163

Here are a few things to remember to help you make the most of a Yamaha YDP163:

TEST THE KEYBOARD BEFORE ASSEMBLY

USE HIGH-QUALITY HEADPHONES

CONSIDER UPGRADING TO A STORAGE BENCH

Consider the SONGMICS Padded Wooden Piano Bench with music storage, or the Griffin Premium Antique Piano Bench, which not only has storage, but is adjustable in height for lasting comfort.

ADD A BLUETOOTH ADAPTOR

Pros & Cons of the Yamaha YDP163

PROS	CONS
Superior key weight and feel thanks to graded hammer 3 standard	Included bench does not have storage
Authentic concert grand piano sound	No included rhythm library
Compact size	Difficult and time-consuming to assemble
Key cover protects from dust
Has built in music rest
Synthetic ivory key tops provide quality feel, prevent slipping
4 levels of touch response to suit any playing style
Authentic grand piano pedal functions
192 max polyphony
10 present voices
4 types of reverb
Intelligent Acoustic Control for great sound at any volume
Stereophonic Optimizer for fantastic sound in headphones
Comes with 50 preset and 10 demo songs
MIDI playback and recording
Duo keyboard and metronome functions are great for teaching and learning
Dual/layered function doubles voices for more complex performance
Transpose and fine tuning functions let you customize and perfect notes
2 headphone jacks for great versatility
Auto power off saves energy

An Alternative Product to Consider

If you love having and playing a piano at home, and want to play for fun and pleasure, to entertain yourself and family or friends, you may not need to invest in the full grand piano experience of the Yamaha YDP163. In that case, a good alternative is the Casio PX860 BK Privia. It produces great sound, with a scaled hammer weighted action, and three levels of touch sensitivity.

It has 18 instrument voices and is capable of up to 256 notes of polyphony. While professionals all agree that Yamaha pianos produce a more authentic, analogue grand piano sound and playing experience, the Casio is a more affordable option for gig musicians, hobbyists, and those who enjoy playing piano for its own sake, and has a great range of features and capabilities that any musician will enjoy.

Yamaha YDP163 Digital Piano UK Buyers Guide & Demo

Conclusion

Even better, the simulated ivory of the YDP163 keys provides a good texture and feel, unlike the plastic of other digital pianos, that can be slick and get moist over long practice sessions. This digital piano is designed to train musicians to polish skills that apply to any piano, at any time, and grow in their abilities and dexterity.

The Yamaha YDP163 is an exceptional digital piano. The simulated ivory and realistic weight of the keys make it feel like you’re playing a concert grand piano. Authentic pedal and half-pedal action give all the experience of a grand piano.

The rich, resonant, layered sound and high-quality acoustics make it sound like you’re playing a concert grand piano. But the advanced digital features and functions can make it sound like anything you like, for versatility in composition, instrumentation, complexity, and performance.

USB capabilities and intelligent apps further extend the capabilities of the YDP163, and make it fast and easy to access and control the features and capabilities, as well as enable advanced recording, playback, and mixing options. The attractive console brings the warm pleasure of simply having a piano into your home, with a great furniture finish and dust-protective keyboard cover.

The Yamaha YDP163 is a fantastic way to have the sound and experience of a grand piano, any time you want it, but with more options, features, and customization than any acoustic piano could provide, and without sacrificing all the space an analogue piano requires.

Even better, it never needs tuning, and it’s much more lightweight and easy to move. It’s a wonderful example of Yamaha’s celebration of sound and technology.

The Yamaha PSR EW300 76-Key Portable Keyboard Bundle has a 76-key touch sensitive keyboard, and is designed for intermediate piano players who have outgrown a beginner, 61-key keyboard and want a wider range of notes, tones, capabilities, and expressions. It has excellent built-in learning functions and a big suite of digital effects, to take your piano playing to the next level.

Yamaha PSR EW300 Overview

While 61-key keyboards are a great way to start learning the piano, and are lightweight and portable, as a player progresses, eventually they want to have a greater range of notes and chords at their fingertips. For intermediate learners, a 76-key keyboard enables greater exploration and expression, without the weight and bulk of a full-size 88-key keyboard.

The EW-300  was introduced last year as an update to their popular YPG235 model, with upgraded features and a new look. The YPG 235 is widely praised by music lovers and piano experts alike, and the PSR-EW300 continues the famous Yamaha quality and sound in a new model.

Video Overview of Yamaha PSR-EW300

Here’s a quick video overview by Yamaha.

Yamaha PSR-EW300 FAQs

Yamaha PSR-EW300 Specifications

Specification	Description
Keys	76 touch-responsive keys
Weight	Weighs under 14 lbs. without batteries
Display	Backlit LCD display
Preset Songs	154 preset songs, with touch tutor, chord study, and chord progression
Reverb Settings	12 types of reverb
Polyphony	48 max levels of polyphony
Style	165 preset styles with style control, and 10 external styles
Harmony	26 types of harmony
Voice & Effects	574 total instrument voices, with 197 panel voices, 18 drums and effects, 20 arpeggio, and 339 XGlite voices
Functions	– Dual, split, and duo keyboard functions – Melody suppressor function – Transpose and tuning functions – Auto power-off function
Jacks & Ports	– Headphone jack – Sustain pedal jack – AUX IN stereo mini jack – USB to host port
Record and Playback	Record and playback up to 5 songs with 2 tracks with onboard memory
Power	Can be battery powered with 6 AA batteries
Accessories	– Bundle includes music rest – Bundle includes power supply

Who is the Yamaha PSR-EW300 SA Most Suitable For?

EW 300 is designed for intermediate piano players and aspiring musicians who want a greater range of notes, chords, and tones than they can achieve with a small, 61-key keyboard.

It’s perfect for students who have outgrown their smaller keyboard, and want to further progress and challenge themselves with their playing.

It is also an excellent choice for completely new players, with all the Yamaha educational and learning features of their smaller keyboards designed for novices. The automated accompaniment capabilities and intelligent action of this keyboard will have even beginners playing complete songs in no time.

What’s Included In the Box?

The PSR-EW300 comes with a detachable music rest, a power supply, and the PKBS1 keyboard stand. This X-style keyboard stand folds into a slim footprint for travel or storage, with durable construction and non-slip rubber feet for stability. It has a circular locking mechanism and a quick-change knob to adjust to six different playing heights, from 25.63” to 38.75”. It can be used to play the keyboard seated or standing, and weighs just 6 lbs.

Yamaha PSR-EW300 Features

This digital piano is packed with some great features; let’s take a look at some of them:

FEATURE	DESCRIPTION
Design	The keyboard weighs less than 14 lbs. without batteries. The ability to play with AC or with battery power helps the portability of this keyboard, which can be easily taken outdoors to play, travel with a family, or go to and from practice.
Sound	EW-300 is driven by the famous Yamaha AWM stereo sampling sound engine. It’s not Yamaha’s best grand piano sound, but is an excellent sound engine that makes Yamaha beginner keyboards preferred by experts.
76 touch-responsive keys	It has 76 touch-responsive keys, which play with louder volume depending on how hard the keys are pressed, just like an acoustic piano.
LCD display	The onboard buttons and menus are clearly labeled, the backlit LCD screen is easy to read as it guides you through settings, functions, or piano lessons.
Includes	It comes with the necessary power supply, and a slim, adjustable, x-style keyboard stand, so you can begin playing right out of the box.
Instrument voices	It comes with a whopping 574 total instrument voices, with 197 panel voices, 18 drums and effects, 20 arpeggio, and 339 XGlite voices for a huge range of sound capabilities.
Built-in	Built-in arpeggio and a number of arpeggio styles and options adds even more capabilities for musical styles and sounds.
Functions	It has duo, split, and keyboard functions, so you can share the keyboard with another player, or produce multiple instrument voices with every touch.
One-touch setting	Registration buttons, one-touch setting, and grand piano button allow you to not only customize your settings as you prefer, but quickly store and save them, or immediately return to the factory default with grand piano.
Preset Songs	With 154 preset songs and 165 preset styles, it has everything you need to learn and play nearly any type of music. It has a large range of reverb, chorus, harmony, and EQ settings for customizing your sound, and 48 levels of polyphony allow for complex, overlapping, nuanced music.
Yamaha Education Suite	The included Yamaha Education System has a number of capabilities to help new piano players learn and grow. With the downloaded song book, you can read music and play along with the onboard songs in the keyboard. It has easy, step-by-step lessons and practice, along with “touch tutor” lessons for learning dynamic expression. The education system will also track and grade your lessons as you progress.
Transpose and tuning functions	Transpose and tuning functions allow you to adjust the instrument to your preference, particularly when playing along with other instruments or vocalists.
Features	A library of 165 musical styles and style controls, including auto fill and other options, allows you to explore any music style you choose.
Melody Suppressor feature	The Melody Suppressor feature can suppress the vocals on tracks when they are played through the keyboard, allowing you to play or sing along without competition.
Automatically power off	When it is idle for a while, it will automatically power off, saving your battery life or energy costs.
Connectivity	It has headphone and pedal jacks, as well as AUX IN to connect a music player, and USB to host for connection to computers and mobile devices.

Pros & Cons of Yamaha PSR-EW300

PROS	CONS
Lightweight and battery power for portability	Non-weighted keys
76 touch-responsive keys mimic the feel and experience of playing an acoustic piano
Backlit LCD display is bright and easy to read
Yamaha’s famous AWM stereo sampling sounds superior to other intermediate keyboards
48 max levels of polyphony support the complexity of reverb, chorus, and harmony settings, as well as the optional sustain pedal, for complex and overlapping sounds and nuanced expression
574 total instrument voices, with 197 panel voices, 18 drums and effects, 20 arpeggio, and 339 XGlite voices for a huge range of sounds and styles from a single instrument
Dual, split, and duo keyboard functions allow you to share the keyboard or produce multiple instrument sounds at once.
154 preset songs, with touch tutor, chord study, and chord progression, 158 music database, 150 types of built in arpeggio, and 165 preset styles with style control, allow you to explore and experience everything this keyboard is capable of musically, and play an entire orchestra of instruments
The many settings in the Master EQ also allow you to curate and customize these sounds as you prefer. Store and restore your settings using One Touch, or immediately create the sound and acoustics of a grand piano with the grand piano button
The Melody Suppressor function is helpful when playing along with pre-recorded songs, so that you can fill in the melody yourself. It’s great for learning and for performing
You can record and playback up to 5 songs with 2 tracks each with onboard memory, or use USB to host to record and share your music

Yamaha PSR-EW300 Manual

If you’d like to check out the nitty-gritty of the EW-300, here’s a link to the model’s manual:

CLICK TO DOWNLOAD EW300 MANUAL

An Alternative Product

With 76 non-weighted keys, the EW-300 is an intermediate keyboard, and, as such, represents a decision point in a musician’s interests and aspirations. While it is a friendly and easy-to-learn keyboard for absolute beginners, it is intended to be an upgrade for those who have learned the basics of playing piano on a 61-key keyboard, and now want greater range, greater possibilities, and greater capabilities in their instrument.

For those who want to go on to play acoustic, grand pianos in the future, or who are practicing at home and taking lessons or performing on analogue pianos, EW-300 actually isn’t the best choice.

Once a beginner has learned the basics of piano playing on a 61 key keyboard, it would be better to progress to a full-size, fully weighed keyboard, so that their digital practice sessions build the finger strength and technique they will need on an acoustic piano.

The P71 has the same great Yamaha AWM sound engine as the PSR-EW300, and a broad range of instrument voices and advanced settings, but has the crucial full size keyboard and fully weighted keys that will make the most of every practice session, and open up the full range of piano compositions and musical expression for the student.

Like the EW300, the Casio WK245 has 76 keys and comes with an easy, step-by-step lesson system. However, the Casio has a greater range of instrument voices, digital features, and has much more robust onboard recording, mixing, and sampling capabilities for a musician who wants to not just learn, but to record, compose, and share their music.

All three of these instruments are very good choices for intermediate musicians, but it’s helpful to identify whether you are playing the digital piano just for fun, or intend to grow into a concert pianist, or intend to start your own band. Knowing your goals will help an intermediate player make the digital keyboard upgrade that is best for them.

Yamaha PSR-EW Series – The Talent Show

Conclusion

The Yamaha PSR E363 61-Key Touch Sensitive Portable Keyboard is a beginner keyboard with onboard lessons that makes learning to play the piano fast and easy.

It’s also packed with digital capabilities and advanced functions that allow a beginner to create songs, sounds, and compositions that go well beyond most beginner keyboards. It’s an excellent keyboard for the next generation of digital musicians. In this detailed Yamaha PSR-E363 review we will take at at different features, specifications, FAQs and Pros & Cons of this keyboard.

Overview of Yamaha PSR-E363

The piano has become a wonderfully versatile musical instrument. Today’s piano is not just an instrument for concert halls and cathedrals, but, with the huge range of instrument voices, rhythms, and effects, it can be the driving sound for any kind of ensemble performance, or allow a single musician to create multi-instrument soundscapes by themselves. Learning to play the piano unlocks a whole world of musical possibilities.

This 61-Key Touch Sensitive Portable Keyboard is designed for the next generation of musicians, with the sound of a portable grand piano, and so much more.

Video Overview of Yamaha PSR-E363

Here’s a two-minute overview, produced by Yamaha:

FAQs of Yamaha PSR-E363

Specifications of Yamaha PSR-E363

Specification	Description
Keys	61 touch-sensitive keys
Weight	Weighs just over 10 lbs without batteries
Display	Backlit LCD display
Songs	154 preset songs, including touch tutor, chord study, and chord progression practice songs
Reverb Settings	12 levels of reverb
Polyphony	48 max levels of polyphony
Style Control	165 built in styles with style control
Harmony	26 types of harmony
Voice & Effects	574 total instrument voices, with 197 panel voices, 18 drum and effects kits, 20 arpeggio voices, and 339 XGlite voices, 5 types of chorus.
Functions	– Dual keyboard function – Split keyboard function – Duo keyboard function
Jacks & Ports	– Headphone jack – Sustain pedal jack – AUX IN stereo mini jack – USB to HOST port
Record and Playback	Record and playback up to 5 songs with 2 tracks each with onboard memory
Music Database	158 music database
Power	AC or DC powered with 6 AA batteries
Metronome	Yes

Who the Yamaha PSR-E363 is Most Suitable For?

Yamaha makes a number of entry-level 61-key keyboards with different feature configurations. They are always highly praised by instructors and experts for their high-quality Yamaha sound and construction.

Piano beginners, particularly older ones, prefer Yamaha’s entry-level keyboards for the same reason: they aren’t toys, and don’t look like toys. They are serious instruments, with the look, sound, and feel of adult musical instruments, that have onboard educational and learning tools.

The PSR-E363 has a much wider range of instrument voices, accompaniment styles, and sound customization effects than many of their entry-level keyboards. It also has touch-sensitive keys, where the volume of a note is affected by the pressure of your fingers. However, it doesn’t have weighted keys – where the keys are harder to press depending on the lowness of the note.

Weighted keyboards simulate the amount of pressure required to move the hammers on an acoustic piano, and are a valuable learning tool for students who need to practice the fingering technique and build strength and endurance to transition to an acoustic piano.

The non-weighted keyboard and advanced features of the Yamaha PSR-E363 make it a fantastic keyboard for older beginners who want to learn how to play the piano, but also unlock, adjust, and create music using the latest technologies, and won’t get confused by the large variety of options and settings.

The ability to record, playback, and export your songs also creates the opportunity for your songs to be mixed, edited, and shared online.

In other words, the Yamaha PSR-E363 is the perfect entry-level piano for those who intend to be and remain digital musicians, and never transition to an analogue piano. It is a fast, simple, easy introduction to the world of digital possibilities in a single instrument.

What’s Included in the Box?

The Yamaha PSR-E363 61-Key Touch Sensitive Portable Keyboard comes with a music rest, and has the Yamaha Education System built in.

It’s worth noting that the default bundle does NOT come with a power adapter, which you will need. It’s better to upgrade to the bundle that includes the power adapter, unless you already have a 120V power supply at home.

Features of Yamaha PSR-E363

This amazing Keyboard has a lot of attractive features to help beginners and intermediate piano players get the most out of their instrument:

FEATURE	DESCRIPTION
Design	Compact and lightweight, at just over 10 lbs. Being able to play with batteries or with AC power allows you to take this instrument anywhere, to practice or perform, indoors or outdoors.
Sound	The Yamaha PSR-E363 is driven by the Yamaha AWM stereo sampling sound engine, for good grand piano sound from a compact digital keyboard.
61 touch-sensitive keys	61 touch-sensitive keys play louder when the keys are played more forcefully, or quieter with a softer touch, just like an analogue piano.
LCD display	The backlit LCD display is clear and easy to read, guiding you through the lessons and settings of the keyboard.
Melody Suppressor	Melody Suppressor function eliminates the vocals when pre-recorded songs are played through the Yamaha PSR-E363 keyboard, so you can take the lead in any song you choose.
Instrument voices	A rich library of 574 total instrument voices, with 197 panel voices, 18 drum and effects kits, 20 arpeggio voices, and 339 XGlite voices, for nearly any instrument sound you may want to reproduce, or explore and discover a sound that is all your own.
Reverb	12 levels of reverb, 5 types of chorus, 150 types of arpeggio, and 165 built in styles, and the 48 levels of polyphony allow you to fully explore all these sounds and complexities without overloading the sound.
Functions	The Master EQ has six settings so you can customize the sound of the keyboard.
One-touch setting	One Touch Setting allows you to choose from a variety of sound and instrument presets, or customize and save your own and restore them quickly.
Record and playback songs	Record and playback songs using onboard memory, so you can share your music or track your progress over time.
Yamaha Education Suite	The Yamaha Education System provides simple, effective music lessons within the keyboard, with practice and exercises for one hand or both hands, so you can learn the piano at your own pace.
Duo keyboard function	Dual keyboard function allows you to play two instruments with every note, split keyboard function, so you can play two instruments with each hand, or duo keyboard so two players can share the keyboard and play along with each other.
Features	The Portable Grand Piano button automatically sets instrument voices and audio settings to instantly produce the sound of a grand piano.

Pros & Cons of Yamaha PSR-E363

PROS	CONS
Lightweight and compact size make it easy to take anywhere, and play with a cord or battery power	Non-weighted keyboard
Touch-sensitive keys mimic the experience of playing an acoustic piano	Does not come with a power adapter by default
The LCD display helps navigate menus and settings, as well as guide you through the onboard lessons	Wealth of settings, features, and functions may confuse music novices
AWM stereo sampling provides great Yamaha piano sound	Not compatible with the Yamaha Piano Controller app
48 levels of polyphony allow for complex, overlapping sounds
A huge library of onboard instrument voices, rhythms, and effects gives vast range of sounds and musical expressions
A big music database and onboard song library allow you to learn and play a wide variety of songs in a variety of genres, so you connect to the songs you are learning
The ability to customize reverb, chorus, equalizer, and harmony allow you to create any acoustic environment you may want, so you always sound your best
Transpose and tuning functions allow your Yamaha PSR-E363 keyboard to be adjusted to play along with live or pre-recorded music, or adjusted to the preferences of a vocalist
The ability to virtually split or share your keyboard creates the possibility of sounds, voices, and expressions that simply aren’t possible in an analogue piano
Melody suppressor makes it more fun and easy to play along with your favorite songs from your own music library
One Touch setting and portable grand piano buttons allow you to quickly use, store, or restore a range of instrument voices and effects so you don’t have to adjust multiple settings individually
It comes with all the connectivity you need, whether you want to use headphones or a sustain pedal, play your own songs through the keyboard, or record, mix, and share your music through a computer or device

Yamaha PSR-E363 Manual

If you’d like to check out the nitty-gritty of the Yamaha PSR E363, here’s a link to the model’s manual:

CLICK TO DOWNLOAD

Yamaha PSR E363 vs E463

The biggest downside of the Yamaha PSR-E363 61-Key Touch Sensitive Portable Keyboard is that it does have so many options, settings, and features, but you need to access and control them through onboard buttons and the LCD screen. This can mean frequently referring to the user manual to navigate what all these features do and how they are controlled.

Advantages of the Yamaha PSR-E463 over the PSR-E363

4 levels of touch response	Quick sampling capability
758 total instrument voices	Live control knob
Crossfade function	More convenient USB connections to devices and apps
235 preset styles	Louder onboard amplification
Built in preset grooves	Lighter weight and more portable
Record and playback wav files	Greater number of preset songs

The Yamaha PSR E463 is more interactive, with onboard DJ and sound sampling features, and greater amplification, so it is better suited for live performances, and has a greater range of potential for intermediate to advanced musicians. Easier connection to devices and computers greatly expand the capacity of this keyboard, making it worth the additional investment.

Yamaha PSR-E363 Demo by Lorenzo Perez

Kevys Rc & Music’s Yamaha PSR-E363 Review

Summary

Non-weighted, touch-sensitive keyboards with advanced connections, instrument voices, and digital capabilities are a great choice for these aspiring musicians, and the Yamaha PSR E363 is a fantastic choice to begin your musical journey. We hope that you enjoyed our Yamaha PSR-E363 review and it will help you in deciding if this keyboard is the right choice for you.