Yamaha has a range of keyboard instruments that caters to the needs of a wide range of keyboard players – beginners as well as expert players. These may not be the cheapest, in case you’re a beginner looking for an affordable keyboard/piano to begin learning. However, a Yamaha musical keyboard is definitely a worthwhile investment if you are serious about learning to play the keyboard instrument.
Yamaha: Wide Range of Keyboards
Yamaha makes a wide range of keyboards and pianos. If you are looking for a portable beginner keyboard or piano, a digital home piano in the traditional piano looks, a lightweight synth to supplement your main board, or a full-fledged professional arranger or studio workstation, you will find it here.
Yamaha Keyboards include 61-key, 76-key, and 88-key keyboard instruments categorized under various series such as PSS, EZ, PSR-E, PSR-EW, PSR-I, PSR-SX, SHS, and more. These series of keyboards serve different needs; they differ in features, the number of keys, tonal quality, and also in price.
Yamaha also regularly updates its various keyboard lines to keep them up-to-date and in line with the latest digital trends and changing customer needs.
Yamaha Keyboards: Various Categories
If you’re a beginner, you should ideally buy a beginner keyboard with at least 61 keys if you are serious about learning to play the keyboard so that you can use your left hand to play the harmony (chords) and your right hand to play the melody.
You should also ideally buy a keyboard with touch/velocity-sensitive keys, which makes the keyboard respond to how hard the keys are pressed; it enables one to play songs with expressions and that’s the way the keys on a real piano are also built. On most electronic keyboards, you can change the level of sensitivity.
All Yamaha keyboards come with touch response keys (except the mini-sized keyboards). You can opt for a Yamaha lighted keyboard (61 keys) or a keyboard from the Yamaha PSR-E series (61 keys). You can even opt for a 76-key keyboard from the Yamaha PSR-EW series as they are not really very expensive.
Intermediate and advanced players can consider the higher-end models in the Yamaha PSR series, Yamaha synths, and workstations.
Related: Reviews of Bestselling Yamaha Keyboards
Yamaha Arranger Keyboards vs. Competition
Yamaha arranger keyboards (for beginners) face competition from the likes of Casio, RockJam, and a few other brands that have emerged in recent years.
While the keyboards from competing brands are cheaper, the sound quality of those keyboards is not at all inspiring.
Also, there are not many companies that make affordable 76-key keyboards for beginners and intermediate players, such as Yamaha’s PSR-EW series.
Pros & Cons of Yamaha Beginner Arranger Keyboards
The Good
- Ideal ‘First Keyboards’ for young musicians Learning to Play. YES system – A comprehensive built-in music-teaching system for beginners.
- Highly regarded brand
- Superior sound – be it acoustic instruments or synth sounds, the quality is just too good. Superb range of built-in accompaniments as well.
- Arguably the best range of arrangers in the market
- Good accessories to complement them
The Bad
- There are cheaper beginner keyboards available from other brands
- The bundled accessories usually are of okay quality
- These keyboards do not come with fully weighted keys (you need a digital piano for that). While these keyboards are great for learning to play the keyboards, piano teachers recommend that you use a keyboard with weighted keys if you are really serious about learning to play the piano and wish to develop proper piano-playing techniques right from the beginning. However, keyboards with weighted keys are heavy and cost more.
Yamaha has never offered the cheapest instruments because it offers better build and sound quality compared to its competitors. Yamaha keyboards use high-quality samples and built-in speakers.
Just pick up any keyboard from the PSR-E series and compare it with another competing brand and you can immediately hear the difference in sound quality.
If you’re looking for more options, then you may want to check out the best portable keyboard for beginners & hobbyists under 200 dollars.
Yamaha Specific Features
Yamaha keyboards come with hundreds of instrument sounds, rhythms, songs, digital effects, sequencer, connectivity to computer and USB devices, and feature touch-sensitive keys.
The variety and number of accompaniments will suit just about any style of musician and is ideal for expanding your knowledge of world music. The various features and built-in recording function helps understand music production.
Performance Assistant Technology: With this feature on, anything that you play will be blended with additional notes to make it sound better.
Yamaha Education Suite (YES) is a basic set of lessons provided by Yamaha in its keyboards. These Yamaha keyboard lessons help you to learn important musical skills such as note and chord recognition, timing, etc. on your own.
It offers piano exercises & lessons to train both your hands at various levels of complexity. There are enough built-in songs to help you hone your skills and it has a grading mechanism as well to grade your performance.
The set of Yamaha keyboard lessons that are available to you will depend on the version of the Yamaha Education Suite on your Yamaha music keyboard.
In the short term, you’ll feel good using these as you’ll at least know how some songs are played. But then, this alone will not suffice to help you to learn to play the piano.
Yamaha Arranger Keyboards (Beginners and Intermediate)
The Yamaha PSR series has most of Yamaha’s arranger keyboards.
An arranger keyboard comes with several sounds (pianos, guitar, strings, and more), musical styles. built-in songs and also have recording functions. These are affordable, lightweight, and come with everything that a beginner needs to enjoy playing music, as well as to make music.
The PSR series includes both, keyboards for beginners as well as high-end performance keyboards. That is the reason, why Yamaha has further segregated the PSR series as PSR-E, PSR-EW and PSR-SX.
These are perfect starter keyboards that beginners can use to learn to play the keyboards.
As a child, in the 90s, I first learned to play the keyboards on a Yamaha PSR keyboard (I have owned the PSR-420, PSR-520, and the PSR-550 models at some point in time).
Yamaha PSR-E Series (61-key Keyboards)
The Yamaha PSR-E series of keyboards include portable arranger keyboards with 61-keys, for beginners and intermediate level players. These keyboards come with several instrument sounds, rhythms, and built-in lessons to help beginners get started. These keyboards have a strong focus on learning.
The Yamaha PSR series includes arrangers keyboards (these come with built-in accompaniments) and this series has been around for several years. These keyboards have been a favorite of beginners as well as experienced players for years.
In recent years however, Yamaha has carved out a separate category – the PSRE-E series from the PSR series to cater to beginners. The PSRE-E series now includes beginners keyboards whereas the PSR series includes the more advanced keyboards – the workstation arranger keyboards.
So the E in the PSR-E series stands for education, as its designed to aid in learning to play.
The more expensive Yamaha arranger keyboards usually do not come with learning tools (Yamaha Education Suite (YES)) and that is why those keyboards have the prefix PSR (doesn’t have the E).
Yamaha PSR-E keyboards includes a lot of features and includes everything you need to enjoy high-quality music, and is available in a more affordable package. If you want to learn to play the keyboard, pick one from the Yamaha PSRE series.
Here are the various models in the PSR series:
Yamaha PSR-E373 (61-keys)
A recent model, the PSR-E373 comes with expressive capabilities derived from Yamaha’s professional keyboards. This is apt for serious beginners and intermediate level players looking for a keyboard with great sounds, styles, and effects. The keyboard also includes several world styles borrowed from the PSR-S670.
USB to HOST audio and MIDI connectivity allows you to interface the keyboard with a computer or an iOs device (such as iPad) for more creative possibilities. The psr-373 is an excellent entry level midi-keyboard with a built-in sequencer; great for learning or for creating music.
Yamaha PSR-E273 (61-Keys)
This keyboard doesn’t come with touch-sensitive keys, but is suitable for kids and beginners who want a board for fun. Playing and learning music is fun and also easy with this keyboard.
Yamaha PSR-E473 (61-Keys)
This keyboard comes with some pro features and gives enough features to a novice to intermediate player. It is also quite useful for songwriting. Besides many voices and styles, you will find an on-board arpeggiator with 100 different patterns, real-time controls, USB port to connect to the computer, 6-track sequencer, melody suppressor. 61 touch sensitive keys with some pro features. 48-Note Polyphony, powerful 6W + 6W amplifiers, Live Knob Control Knobs, DJ Pattern Mode, USB Audio & MIDI Connectivity, USB to Device Connectivity.
Yamaha PSR i455 61-Keys
The Yamaha PSR i455 is a 61-keyboard that, in addition to the several world voices and styles, includes several realistic Indian voices and classical styles, also includes several different raga-mode practice songs.
Yamaha PSR-EW Series (76-Key keyboards)
The Yamaha PSR-EW series of keyboards include 76-key keyboards with touch-sensitive keys suitable for beginner and intermediate players.
- These come with useful Educational tools right on board (comes with the Yamaha education suite)
- These are arranger keyboards and come with plenty of features for songwriting
- The extra keys (compared to a 61-key board) lets you learn additional songs. You can play several piano pieces on these 76-key keyboards (perfect for the beginning keyboardist).
- The keys on these keyboards come with different levels of resistance, which makes it easier for a budding musician to move to an acoustic or digital piano later.
Here are the various electronic keyboards in this series.
Yamaha PSR-EW410
The PSR-EW410 is a 76-note keyboard with touch-sensitive keys, and an updated version of PSR-EW400. It features superb samples, variety of styles, powerful onboard speakers (and optional subwoofer). You can easily capture sound from external sources and assign the sampled sound to the keyboard. It also comes with a few professional features like assignable Live Control knobs, Pitch-bend, Groove Creator and USB Audio Recorder. External storage connectivity, and L/R outputs for connecting to a PA system. Read full review here.
Yamaha PSR-EW310
The 76-key Yamaha PSR-EW310 (replaced the outgoing PSR-EW 300) comes with 76 touch-sensitive keys, it features better sounds and effects and provides greater control over the various Voices. It also includes a few more “regional” Styles. USB to HOST audio and MIDI connectivity allow players to expand the capabilities of their keyboard by interfacing with apps on an iOS device or computer. The PSR-EW310 is a great choice for the piano beginner, who doesn’t want to invest in a digital piano as of now. Read full review here.
Related: Reviews of Bestselling Yamaha Keyboards
Yamaha YPT keyboards
Yamaha also have the YPT series of 61-key keyboards for beginners; these keyboards are similar to the entry-level keyboards in the Yamaha PSR-E series.
It is likely that Yamaha may phase out the YPT and retain only the PSR series in future.
Yamaha EZ Lighted Keyboards (61 Keys)
Yamaha EZ series include keyboards with “lighted-keys”. These are self-teaching keyboards; on these keyboards, the notes light up so you just have to follow those keys to play any of the built-in songs. And what’s great is that the keyboard moves at your pace, and even waits for you to press the correct key.
These are quite popular with beginners, especially kids, because it allows them to play simple songs quickly.
Here are the popular 61-key keyboards in this series.
Yamaha EZ-300
Unlike the other series of keyboards from Yamaha, the EZ series does not have a lot of keyboards. The Yamaha EZ-300 is the most recent model in this series.
The Yamaha EZ-300 is a 61-key touch-sensitive keyboard with lighting keys and comes with 140 songs that you can learn to play using the guiding lights.
This upgraded keyboard has better sound engine and sound samples, and features an elegant silver-white finish. You can even download more songs (MIDI files) from the Yamaha online shop and then import those songs onto the keyboard via USB from your Mac or PC.
Yamaha Mini Keyboards
Yamaha also makes mini-sized keyboards (Yamaha PSS series) with fewer keys for the earliest beginners. These are extremely portable, and also easier to carry to school for lessons.
Yamaha DGX and YPG: 88-Key Arranger Keyboards
The Yamaha DGX and YPG series include 76 and 88 key arranger keyboards with semi-weighted and weighted keys; these come with several voices and accompaniment styles.
Yamaha refers to these keyboards as portable grands.
The entry level keyboards in both the DGX and YPG series have semi-weighted key action and 76 keys, whereas the top model has 88-keys with graded weighted action keybed.
The entry level keyboards are aimed at beginners and intermediate level players, but the flagship model in these series can be used by experienced piano players as well.
Yamaha Digital Pianos
Yamaha has a wide selection of excellent digital pianos as well. Yamaha’s experience in making acoustic pianos definitely gives them an edge, and that is reflected in their digital pianos, in terms of their sound and feel.
In the more expensive models, the weighted keys of Yamaha digital pianos definitely feel much better and closer to the real acoustic ones.
Yamaha makes excellent portable digital pianos (P series) as well as upright digital pianos (Arius series). These feature 88-keys, Yamaha’s Graded Hammer Standard (GHS) keyboard action, USB/MIDI connectivity, and offer more features. Checkout all Yamaha Digital Pianos here.
Besides digital pianos, Yamaha also offers a range of classic upright and grand pianos. Checkout Yamaha’s entire range of pianos here.
Yamaha Professional Keyboards
The Yamaha portable keyboards mentioned above are great for beginners to learn to play the keyboards, and should keep them occupied for a few years, after which one should ideally consider investing in a more expensive keyboard model.
Yamaha is one of the few music gear brands that make impressive arranger keyboards, digital pianos, synth keyboards, and keyboard controllers for the professional player as well.
Yamaha pro keyboards use excellent sound samples, have excellent built-in speakers, and offer many more features for the performing musician. Yamaha pro arrangers are great for “one-man bands” in particular. You can also choose from a range of Yamaha keyboard synthesizers, if you’re interested in music production capabilities.
There’s also a huge difference in price between the beginner keyboard models and these pro keyboards.
Yamaha Arranger Workstations
Yamaha Arranger Workstations feature the hottest accompaniment styles available on digital keyboards. These keyboards have an excellent collection of real musical instrument Voices, Styles, effects and virtual vocal talent; get your creative juices flowing.
The best feature of a Yamaha arranger workstation is its high quality sound and the superb collection of accompaniment styles. The higher you go in the price range, the better it becomes. If you are a performer, you can quickly sound fully arranged!
Yamaha PSR s975
The PSR-S975 is the flagship model of the S-series and comes with powerful performance features including versatile effects, external display capability and a programmable vocal harmony function.
Yamaha PSR a3000
The PSR-A3000 is a top-of-the-line arranger workstation, perfect for performers who like to play in a wide range of genres, especially, Arabic, Latin and other Asian music.
Yamaha PSR s775
The PSR-s775 is perfect for hobbyists or pros, it comes equipped with several powerful performance features, flexible audio playback functions and a Mic/Guitar input, making it ideal for live use on stage, in the studio or at home.
Yamaha PSR s670
The psr-670 is an entry level arranger workstation keyboard that has a huge library of voices and styles, and is further expandable. Several Voices and Styles, excellent quality of speakers.
Yamaha Stage Keyboards, Synthesizers, MIDI Controllers
Yamaha has top-class synths, workstations, and stage keyboards for the professional/working musician.
Yamaha synthesizers include a rich collection of analog as well as acoustic sounds and can be used for any type of music production. These come with control knobs that can be used to shape out sounds on the fly by adding several effects, changing filter settings, and so on. Yamaha’s entry and mid-level performance synthesizers sound like a million bucks but are a lot more affordable. Read more on Yamaha Performance Synthesizers.
In the high-end keyboards, Yamaha faces competition from the likes of Roland, Korg, and Nord. Korg’s PA series of arranger keyboards are popular among the music fraternity. In general, Korg and Roland also offer good products for professional music production. Korg and Roland however do not offer many options for intermediate-level musicians.
Yamaha Midi Controller Keyboards (KX series)
Yamaha’s KX series includes midi controller keyboards of various sizes. With the Yamaha Midi controller Keyboards, you can utilize the full power of your computer.
The Yamaha KX series comprises of the KX25 (25 keys), KX49 (49 Keys), KX61 (61 keys) and KX8 (88 keys) keyboards, the important difference between these keyboards being the number of keys.
The compact KX25 or KX49 will appeal more to those who are short of space – be it in the studio, bedroom or home studio, or want something that is more portable.
Yamaha Keyboard Accessories
You need accessories to get more out of your keyboard instrument and to enhance your playing experience.
While some Yamaha keyboards may come bundled with accessories such as an adapter or a keyboard stand, not all keyboards may offer bundled accessories.
Yamaha also offers a wide range of Piano and Keyboard Accessories including Keyboard Stands, Benches, Sustain Pedals, Power Adapters, Bags & Cases, and more.
Chckout Yamaha Keyboard Accessories here.
Yamaha Keyboard Reviews
Best Yamaha Keyboard for Beginners
Yamaha portable keyboards are affordable, lightweight, and come with everything that a beginner needs to enjoy playing music. The Yamaha portable keyboards above are great for beginners to start learning the keyboards, have some fun, and also to check if they really like music. These should keep beginners occupied for a few years, after which they should consider investing in more expensive keyboard models.
Yamaha EZ-300
Yamaha EZ-300 (replaced the popular EZ-220) is a very popular beginner arranger keyboard that comes with lighted keys. The keys light up to guide you through a song, helps you to learn the notes of a song much faster. Children will love this keyboard (though its not a toy keyboard). The EZ-300 features 61 touch-sensitive, lighted keys with several voices and styles, and built-in wireless connectivity to Yamaha’s Page Turner app for iPad.
Best Yamaha Keyboard for Intermediate Players
Yamaha PSR-E473The Yamaha PSR-E473 is a 61-key touch-response keyboard with powerful on-board speakers, excellent styles, sounds and effects. It comes with several advanced features like assignable Live Control knobs, DJ pattern mode, and USB to Device connectivity, and L/R outputs for connecting to a PA system, built for playing live. Though this is not exactly a beginner keyboard, it’s also not a complete pro keyboard. Intermediate-level players, and songwriters (who need nice styles and voices) will like this keyboard.
Best Yamaha Keyboard for Advanced Players
Yamaha PSR-SX920
An excellent arranger-workstation (top model in the PSR series) with great selection of realistic sounds and styles that can be used across genres. Rich and realistic orchestra sounds, top-notch backing styles performed by accomplished musicians, and much more. Use it for performance, one-man band or for creating your own music.
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