Is The Yamaha P45 (P71) The Best Beginner Piano?
The Yamaha P45 (P71) is a dedicated entry-level keyboard. It is lightweight, affordable, and portable. The piano is popular among beginners and is a great bargain buy.
While it does skip out on other common features needed for more advanced players, the Yamaha P45 (P71) is a great start for new piano players.
A Summary of The Yamaha P45 (P71)
The keyboard is compact and affordable. It is also quite simple and does not include too many sounds and only allows a single sustain pedal instead of the standard three. The speakers are small but great for practicing.
It also includes a fully weighted keyboard which allows new players to implement more advanced dynamics and techniques. For a beginner, it is quite useful to bring you to the next level of playing you aim to be at.
According to the Yamaha website, the keyboard includes “the authentic piano sound and key feel make it easy to play this simple model any way you like.”
The Yamaha P45 (P71) Pros & Cons:
Advantages
- Strong, sturdy structure, and build
- Portable
- Piano sound that is organic and natural
- Lightweight
- Metronome included
- No assembly required
- Reverb effects
- Multiple sounds
- Fully weighted with sensitivity for dynamics
- Headphone port
- Duo and layer modes
- Includes Graded Hammer Action
Disadvantages
- Can only use a sustain pedal
- Difficult to playback and no recording option
- Controls may be confusing
Features
- 88 fully weighted piano keys
- Graded Hammer Action
- 3 different levels of touch sensitivity and dynamics
- 10 different sounds
- 20 demo songs
- Reverb effects
- 6W Speakers
- 24-pounds in weight
- USB port for MIDI recording
- Supports Sustain pedal
- Embedded Metronome
- Layer and Duo Keyboard Modes
Designed To Be Portable and Compact
The Yamaha P45 (P71) is known as a compact piano. It is in fact one of the smallest full keyboards you can buy. It will allow you to save space and make it easy to store.
Since it is so compact and portable, if you are a traveling teacher or plan on bringing this keyboard to multiple places, it is a great buy that can go anywhere with you. The keys are also made of plastic that can handle travel, as they do not scratch or break easily.
The keyboard is made to be as simple as possible, which goes hand in hand with its compact design. There are very few buttons, controls, and not that many lights. It gives off a clean, minimalist look.
Lightweight
Due to its compact design, the piano is also lightweight. It weighs around 24 pounds, while still being a full-sized keyboard. Its weight makes it great to travel and take with you anywhere. If you need to store it when you are not using it, its weight makes it easy to do so.
Even though it is lightweight, the piano is sturdy and solid. Its design is strong and will last for many years after you purchase it.
No Assembly Required
Another great feature of the Yamaha P45 (P71) is that it requires absolutely no assembly. You simply plug in the keyboard and you can start playing it.
If you need a stand for the keyboard, that would come with an optional and separate purchase. The keyboard does not come with a stand, so you would not have to assemble it with the keyboard.
However, if you want to save a few dollars on a stand, you can easily get a generic keyboard stand and it will easily work well with this keyboard.
Function and Key Control System
A limitation that does come with this piano, is that if you want to change the sound of the keyboard or do any sort of control, you have to press multiple keys at once. This would be done by pressing the “function” key and then pressing another key on the keyboard to change the voice, use the metronome, or play a song.
This method of control is seen on many Yamaha entry-level keyboards. This may hinder the simplicity of its use and make it take some time to get used to.
However, while this control system does take some extra steps, each control is written on each key that is used. So you do not need to memorize which key does what. For example, the metronome key will say “metronome.”
Once you have selected the key or function you need, when you are ready to turn it off you will use the function button and press the key again. One limitation that is involved in this process is there is no way to know if you have turned on a function or have turned it off. You will be able to hear the metronome but may not be able to hear other functions.
There Is Only A Sustain Pedal
While some keyboards will give you the ability to use all three pedals that an acoustic piano would have, the Yahama P45 (P71) simply does not allow that capability. It only allows the use of the sustain pedal that is included with the keyboard when you purchase it.
However, if you are a beginner player and want an affordable and simple keyboard, you will not need to use all three pedals. You will only be implementing the sustain pedal at certain parts of your beginner level.
The sustain pedal that comes with the keyboard works well and works with no delay when you press it.
Organic Piano Sound
The Yamaha P45 (P71) piano sound was created using recordings of a full concert grand piano. This gives it the true and natural piano sound that is faithful and true to an actual piano.
While you are beginning your piano endeavors, it makes it easy to understand the dynamics of a true concert piano and allows you to hear how a piano should sound.
10 Included Sounds
For a compact and simple piano, the Yamaha P45 (P71) has ten additional sounds included. These sounds are:
- Concert Grand Piano
- Bright Grand Piano
- 2 Electric Piano Sounds
- 2 Harpsichord Sounds
- 2 Pipe Organ Sounds
- Strings
- Vibraphone
Each sound was recorded from actual instruments so they are able to implement the natural acoustic sound. While it may not be as many as other keyboards, it is still a good amount for its simplistic nature.
Reverb Effects
The Yamaha P45 (P71) includes four reverb effects. The reverb will give the sound an echo as if it is playing in a concert hall. These separate reverb effects are:
- Room
- Hall 1
- Hall 2
- Stage
The effects are nice to give you the sound of what it would be like to perform your piano skills.
Small but Adequate Speakers
The Yamaha P45 (P71) includes small speakers that work well for practicing or even small performances. They offer a clear and crisp sound. However, they are not suitable for any other circumstances outside of your practice or maybe a small live performance as they do not get too loud.
If you do have a speaker system or an amp, you can plug the piano into a larger sound system to give off a louder sound.
You Can Plug In Your Headphones
One great feature this keyboard has is the headphone jack. The headphone port will allow you to be able to practice your piano skills without disturbing others in your home.
It is a great way to practice anytime and on your own time without worrying about interrupting someone else.
Layer Mode and Duo Mode
The different modes included in the Yamaha P45 (P71) give you features to explore your piano-playing skills.
The layer mode allows you to play two sounds at the same time. So you can play the organ and the piano or the strings. The effect is great for experimenting and broadening your ability with music.
The duo mode splits the piano essentially in two. So, you can play with other people at the same time and hit the same exact notes. This is great for people learning the piano because someone can play with you and show them what you need to do alongside you.
A Metronome is Included
When you are learning the piano, the metronome is needed in every aspect. It will allow you to understand rhythm and time when it comes to keeping a steady beat. The Yamaha P45 (P71) thankfully includes this in the piano, so you do not have to buy one.
You can even adjust the time signature, tempo, and volume to what you will need it for. Even if you are not a beginner, a metronome will always be needed while practicing.
No Recording or Playback Feature
One downside to this keyboard is that there is no playback or recording. Many keyboards, however, do not include this unless it is intended for recording. The Yamaha P45 (P71) is intended for simple, beginner use, so a playback feature is not warranted.
With a few extra steps, you can record yourself, it is just not built into the keyboard mechanics. If you do want to hear yourself play, you will have to use a different device to record yourself. You could also use a USB-MIDI and connect it to your computer with installed music software.
Features The Graded Hammer Standard Piano Action
The keyboard is fully weighted, which means it will behave just like a real piano. The Graded Hammer Standard action that is included in all of the Yamaha entry-level keyboards is quite standard. However, it is very quiet but it is just enough for a new player.
Touch Sensitivity to Implement Dynamics
The Yamaha P45 (P71) has touch-sensitive keys that are weighted. The harder you press on the keys, the louder it will play. This is important when understanding dynamics. Many music pieces will implement these dynamics for playing soft or loud. The keyboard having this feature allows you to understand dynamics and practice playing them.
The keyboard also allows you to change the sensitivity of the keys. So, as you become more advanced, you can make the keys more sensitive to add more dynamics.
Standard Plastic Keys
The keyboard has plastic keys with the black keys having a matte finish. They allow you to stick to the piano keys and make practicing and playing easy.
Since they are not made out of any other material, they are strong and long-lasting. It is unlikely that you will see them chip or scratch.
What You Get In the Box
The accessories that are included are not much. However, they are all needed. You will get the following with your purchase:
- Yamaha P45 (P71) keyboard
- Power Adapter
- Manual and Guide
- Sustain Pedal
Conclusion
For the price, the Yamaha P45 (P71) is a great buy for a beginner. While it is very simple and affordable, it is great for anyone who is just starting out as an entry-level player.
Yamaha even states it as its most affordable piano. Their website says it is “the most affordable digital piano” from the brand.
The build and design of the piano will also allow it to last for quite some time over the years. While the keyboard is simple and is limiting when it comes to its single sustain pedal, small speakers, and limiting sounds, it is great for a beginner player who does not need those features.
It is a perfectly simple and easy piano for any beginner player and has an easy, minimalist keyboard for its value.
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