Yamaha Graded Hammer Standard (GHS) vs. Graded Hammer Effect (GH / GHE) vs. Graded Hammer Effect 3 (GH3)

Yamaha uses terms like Graded Hammer Standard (GHS), Graded Hammer Effect (GH / GHE), Graded Hammer Effect 3 (GH3), NWX to refer to the keyboard action on its pianos. Here’s more on the various actions found on Yamaha digital pianos.

Introduction

Every brand (Yamaha, Casio, Roland, Korg) uses different terms to refer to their piano action. Usually, the 61-key and 76-key keyboards have unweighted action, but the 88-key keyboards have weighted action.

Keyboard action can be of various types – synth (un-weighted), weighted, graded hammer action. You can learn about the various types of piano action here.

Even within the weighted action, there can be variations, with the more expensive pianos having a more authentic action.

Piano manufacturers are constantly trying to give you the best piano sound and the most authentic key touch on their digital keyboard instruments. And though they have progressed a lot over the years, many pianists feel that it is still not perfect.

However, with some of the most expensive digital pianos, you may have little to complain about. They have started using the same action as found in acoustic pianos, and also use wooden keys.

You can check out Yamaha’s piano range here.

Various Actions on Yamaha Digital Pianos & Keyboards

Yamaha also provides different kinds of actions on its keyboards and pianos.

I know it can be confusing, and the Yamaha site also does not do a great job about making it easier to understand these terms. Ranked from the lowest to the highest, Yamaha’s key actions can be put in the following sequence.

GHS -> GH / GHE -> GH3 -> Wood
Graded hammer Standard (GHS) has a different action and is succeeded by the GH/GHE and GH3 actions.

• Graded Hammer Standard (GHS): This action is available on most entry level digital pianos of Yamaha. The GHS action is well-suited for the beginner pianist.

  Yamaha Pianos with GHS action have fully weighted keys, and although the action is not like the one on real acoustic pianos, the action is heavier and much better than what you find on arranger keyboards.

• Graded Hammer (GH) / Graded Hammer Effect (GHE): Graded Hammer (GH) and Graded Hammer Effect 3 (GH3) action means the same, and the action is slightly better than GHS.

• Graded Hammer Effect 3 (GH3): This action is found on Yamaha’s more expensive pianos, suitable for the intermediate and the advanced pianists. This mechanism provides greater accuracy and is easier to play repetitive passages faster, that is required by the experienced players.

• NWX: This action is found on Yamaha’s premium pianos. Here, the keys are made of wood and its texture resembles the wooden keys found on top grand concert pianos.

Yamaha Pianos with Weighted Keys

Piano teachers usually recommend graded, weighted touch keys, as on the acoustic pianos, to build proper piano playing technique. The graded hammer standard (GHS) action does offer such a keyboard touch.

All entry level pianos will have GHS and as you go higher (more expensive ones), you will find GH3 or NW (Natural wood). So within the same series of digital pianos, some models may have GHS action whereas some others may have GH or GH3 action depending on the price.

Here are few examples.

• GHS – Yamaha entry level graded hammer action (all entry level models)
• GH or GHE – Yamaha Mid level graded hammer action (most mid-high end stage pianos)
• GH3 – Yamaha’s new generation graded hammer action (on top-end pianos)
• NW – Natural wood (white key) action (found on Clavinova pianos)

 

A beginner may not appreciate the difference between graded hammer action and weighted action, and it may not affect his playing for quite some time.

Beginner piano players should ideally opt for a cheaper home piano and learn for a couple of years, before upgrading to a piano with top-notch sounds and touch (such as the Yamaha Clavinova). Good looking home digital pianos also add to the aesthetics of the house.

Best Pianos & Keyboards with Weighted Keys

If you’re totally new to the world of keyboard instruments, you can read more about the differences between touch sensitive keys and weighted keys here.

Its also a good idea to visit a local dealer and try out the various actions for yourself. That’s the best way to realise and judge how it is going to feel, instead of reading tons of posts on this topic. You never know, you may walk out with a totally different brand / model even after reading so much about the keyboard touch on a particular brand/model.

You may check out the range of yamaha keyboards and Yamaha Pianos .