Looking to buy a beginners keyboard? Here’s our guide to the five of the best!
1. Yamaha PSR E333 – £149 with Free Delivery
The Yamaha PSR E333 is one of the most popular keyboards we sell at Dawsons. This is in part due to the fact that this is the most affordable keyboard in Yamaha ‘s PSR range to feature a velocity sensitive keyboard. This extends the usable life of this instrument massively. Alongside this feature, the PSR E333 is loaded with 497 voices (different instrument sounds), and 106 accompaniment styles, meaning this keyboard can cope with just about any genre of music you care to throw at it. A two-track recorder is also included, allowing you to record your performances. And if you wish to connect the keyboard to a computer, for use with music software, then that can be achieved via the USB socket on its back panel.
In addition, the Yamaha PSR-E333 features dual (enabling two sounds to be played simultaneously), split (which enables the keyboard to be divided into two, with a different sound in each half) and harmony (which creates a harmony according to the chord being played) modes, which further extend the capabilities of this keyboard. And, with a price of just £160 at time of writing, this represents excellent value for money. The PSR E333 is undoubtedly a candidate for the best beginner keyboard on the market.
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2. Yamaha NP31 – £214 with Free Delivery
The Yamaha NP31 is a slightly different style of keyboard. Designed to be played as a piano it does not have any accompaniment styles whatsoever. In fact, in terms of features, it is very ‘pared back’ compared to the PSR range of keyboards. However, this means that, whilst the Yamaha NP31 ‘s number of onboard sounds is comparatively low, they are of a far higher quality. In addition, the velocity sensitive keyboard is semi-weighted. This means that the key action has slightly more ‘weight’ or resistance than a standard keyboard, and feels more like a piano as a result. A metronome is also featured, and is an invaluable tool for beginners to learn to play keyboard in time. MIDI in and out sockets are included, should you want to connect to a computer or other keyboards/ sound modules. One of the most staggering features of the NP31 is the very low weight- just under 6kg! This makes this an ideal keyboard for those who will be carrying the keyboard from place to place regularly.
So, the Yamaha NP31 is the best beginner keyboard for those who want to play piano, and take it on the road, so to speak… At time of writing, priced at £214.
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3. Yamaha NPV60 – £285 with Free Delivery
The Yamaha NPV60 is part of the Piaggero range of keyboards. Aiming to combine the range of sounds and styles more commonly seen in the more expensive arranger keyboards, with the more authentic piano action akin to that of the NP31, the NPV60 is a superb all-rounder. Unlike the more affordable PSR keyboards, this keyboard features more intelligent, ‘backing band’ style accompaniment. A six-track recorder is also included, allowing a song to be created with up to six different sounds/parts, recorded one over the other. Voices derived from Yamaha ’s flagship Tyros keyboard are also included, adding an extra level of realism and detail. The NPV60 features a 76-note ‘soft touch’ keyboard, with MIDI in and out, and a pitch bend wheel for added flexibility.
Each of the keyboards in the list has its own strengths to justify its place in this list. In this respect, the Yamaha NPV60 could be described as the best beginner keyboard ‘all-rounder’. Currently available at Dawsons for £285.
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5. Yamaha YPT220 – £88.99 with Free Power Supply & Delivery
The Yamaha YPT220 is the cheapest keyboard Yamaha make. In true Yamaha tradition, however, that does not mean that it’s light on features or quality. With 376 sounds, and 100 accompaniment styles, there is plenty to keep the player interested. In addition, the Yamaha Education Suite onboard training exercises are included. The YPT220 ‘s only major concession is that its 61-note keyboard is not velocity sensitive, unlike the others in this list. But, this keyboard currently sells for just £89.99!
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The Yamaha YPT220, then, is the best beginner keyboard on a budget.
5.Yamaha P-35 – £349 Including Free Delivery
The Yamaha P-35 is one of latest additions to the Yamaha range of stage pianos, and it sets a new benchmanrk for performance and value. Despite its low price, the P-35 features a fully weighted piano keyboard. Ten onboard sounds complete with a stunning AWM piano sound, and a metronome provide the essentials for performance and practice, and the unit is slim, compact and weighs just 11.5 Kg, making an incredibly portable option.
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