The Williams Rhapsody 2 (or R2) digital piano is a decent beginner piano with good set of features, nice weighted action, but do not expect it to be the most durable/well-built piano. It looks great, and features an improved weighted keybed that provides a higher standard in realistic response and feel.
Pros & Cons
- Pros: Easy to Use, Realistic Sound and better audio, Responsive keyboard action (Touch Sensitive Keys), comes with several piano sounds. Easy to assemble, most of this is simply plug and play. Weighted keys provides a real piano feel. Good pedal action.
- Cons: Okay sound quality. Good for beginners and for intermediate players. Professional players may want to explore more expensive options (with more features and much better sounds) from Yamaha, Roland, Kawai or even Casio.
- Best Uses: Learning, Accompaniment
Review
If you are looking for a digital piano with fully weighted keys, but don’t have a big budget, this can be an option worth considering. The Rhapsody 2 digital piano from Williams is a feature rich console piano with good piano sound and feel, available in an elegant design and rich wood finish. You can use it for learning & practicing; it also has recording features.
Voices, Tones, and Rhythms
The Williams Rhapsody provides you with a range of sounds (Grand Piano, Electric Piano, Church Organ, Rock Organ, Strings, Vibraphone, Guitar, Bright Piano, Bass, Harpsichord, Choir, etc.) The piano also comes with demo songs that uses the sounds of the piano.
Its an Entry Level Digital Piano
Because of its pricing, its not fair to expect excellent build quality. But then its functional and does what it is intended to. It also does not come with tons of features (lot of piano players don’t need them anyways).
The piano does not come with any built-in styles though.
The keys are weighted, and velocity sensitive, but don’t have a very realistic Graded Hammer action.
Video Review
Competition Check
Williams Rhapsody 2 Vs Williams Allegro 2 vs Williams Overture 2
Williams Allegro 2 is cheaper (because it has a more portabe design), has fewer sounds, but it also comes with has hammer action keys. It can be used as a first keyboard for a beginner wanting to learn the piano.
Overture 2, on the other hand, is a higher model, it also looks a lot better (console piano) and has more sounds/styles. Comes with 3-full pedals, pitch bend, AUX IN, and more.
So Williams Rhapsody 2 basically sits in between Williams Allegro 2 and Williams Overture 2 digital pianos.
Yamaha P71
You may also opt for the [easyazon_link identifier=”B01LY8OUQW” locale=”US” tag=”keytarhq04-20″ cart=”n”]Yamaha P71[/easyazon_link] (from the popular P series) portable digital piano. Features Graded Hammer keyboard and you get 10 voices. The P71 is priced slightly cheaper than than Rhapsody, and also offers fewer features (besides having a portable keyboard like design). But it sounds great, has a nice action, and of course is from Yamaha.
Key Features / Technical Specs
Key features of Rhapsody 2 digital piano:
- Brand: Williams. Model: RHAPSODY 2
- The piano comes with a built in metronome (useful tool to practice on time). This tempo is adjustable.
- The keyboard of the piano can be split to play different instruments. For example, Bass with your left hand, while playing a more traditional piano sound or even a harpsichord in the right.
- You can also layer one voice over another sound for interesting sound combinations.
- Around 12 custom sounds crafted from a world-renown grand piano, vintage electric pianos, organs, strings, synths and more.
- 64-voice polyphony max
- Two-track recorder allows you to record what you play.
- The USB MIDI connection will allow you to connect to a computer or iPad, making it easy to record into external studio features such as recording software.
- Elegant PVC wood-like finish for great looks
- Fully weighted keys
- Sustain and Sostenuto pedals for realistic playability
- Modulation/FX control provides realistic rotary and vibrato effects on select instruments.
- Includes 12 demo songs, USB MIDI port, 2-track recorder, and convenient features such as split/layer, transpose, metronome, plus separate headphone and stereo out jacks.
- Weight: 104.11 pounds. Size: 20 x 20 x 20 inches
Overall
There are several options available in the digital piano market, for beginners to intermediate level players. The Rhapsody 2 strikes a balance between price and features and doesn’t compromise a lot on the quality of samples and features. Overall, an inexpensive, entry-level digital piano (looks like an upright piano) that’s suitable for learning or for piano practicing. This being a digital piano, it will never go out of tune, it looks good and has good features for the price. If you are looking for something better, the Overture 2 or the Yamaha P series models are natural upgrades, but they cost more.
Buying Links
- Buy Williams Rhapsody 2 Digital Piano on Guitarcenter.com
- Buy Williams Rhapsody 2 Digital Piano on Musiciansfriend.com
Check out more Williams pianos here.
KeytarHQ editorial team includes musicians who write and review products for pianists, keyboardists, guitarists & other musicians. KeytarHQ is the best online resource for information on keyboards, pianos, synths, keytars, guitars and music gear for musicians of all abilities, ages and interests.
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