Yamaha P71 Review — My Professional Thoughts
The Yamaha P71 digital piano has become a popular choice, especially for those new to playing the piano.
It’s known for being affordable, feeling realistic to play, and having features that benefit both beginners and experienced musicians.
This review will closely examine the P71’s pros and cons, and discuss whether it’s a good fit for different playing styles.
It’s my honest and personal thoughts — you may agree (or disagree!) with them, and I’d be interested to know your thoughts in the comments at the bottom.
Hopefully, by the end of this Yamaha P71 review, you’ll be able to decide if the Yamaha P71 is the right instrument to start your musical journey.
This model is part of Yamaha’s P (Portable) series, which is known for offering compact, lightweight entry level digital pianos with advanced features that mimic the feel and sound of an acoustic piano.
Introduced as an Amazon exclusive, the Yamaha P71 was designed to provide an accessible entry point into piano playing without compromising on the quality that Yamaha is known for.
The origins of the P71 lie in Yamaha’s broader strategy to reach a wider audience by partnering with major retailers to offer instruments that are both accessible and appealing to a diverse range of customers
Yamaha, a Japanese multinational corporation and conglomerate with a very long history in musical instrument manufacturing, has always been at the forefront of innovation in music technology.
The company has a storied history that dates back to its founding in 1887 by Torakusu Yamaha, initially focusing on piano and reed organ manufacturing.
Over the years, Yamaha has expanded its product range significantly to include a wide variety of musical instrument sounds, professional audio equipment, and more.
The development of the P71, like other Yamaha digital pianos, is rooted in the company’s deep understanding of music, artistry, and the technical aspects of sound production.
Yamaha’s expertise in acoustic pianos is directly translated into their digital models, ensuring that they replicate the acoustic piano experience as closely as possible.
This involves the use of sophisticated sampling techniques to capture the sound of their concert grand pianos, as well as advanced portable keyboards technologies to emulate the touch and feel of real piano keys.
Yamaha P71
REALISTIC FEEL, RICH SOUND, COMPACT DESIGN
PERFECT FOR: Beginner To Intermediate
FEATURES: 10 Different Piano Voices, Including Digitally Sampled Acoustic Piano Tones
OTHER INFO: Dual Mode Allows You To Layer Two Voices Together
PROS
- Easy to move around your home
- Great for practicing proper finger technique
- Yamaha’s AWM sampling technology for rich sound
- Easy to change settings with one button
- Competitively priced for a digital piano with these features
CONS
- Limited sound options (10 voices)
- No app connectivity
- Can’t record performances
- Lacks traditional sustain pedal connection
- Headphone jack placement might be inconvenient
The Yamaha P71 stands out as an affordable full-sized digital piano, exclusively available through Amazon, mirroring the features of the well-regarded P45.
This instrument offers significant value, especially for beginners, with several notable characteristics.
88 Keys
Equipped with 88 keys, the P71 surpasses many of its competitors in the same price bracket, which often come with fewer keys. This full electronic keyboard setup is a substantial benefit for those seeking a comprehensive playing experience.
Key Action
A key aspect where the P71 excels is its key action. Utilizing Yamaha’s Graded Hammer Standard, a mechanism also found in the brand’s higher-end models, it offers superior touch response compared to what’s available from other manufacturers in similar price ranges.
Sound Quality
The sound quality of the P71’s voices is impressively high, reflecting Yamaha’s ability to deliver exceptional audio performance at an accessible price point. This quality makes it a standout option in its category.
The affordability of the P71 is another significant advantage. It offers an excellent quality-to-price ratio, making it an attractive choice for entry-level players. This aspect raises questions about how Yamaha manages to maintain profitability with such competitively priced products.
Additionally, the compact and lightweight design of the P71, with a depth of less than 13 inches, makes it highly portable and easy to store.
This feature, along with its affordability, makes the P71 an ideal choice for young beginners, minimizing the financial risk for parents investing in a new activity for their children.
1. DESIGN AND BUILD QUALITY
AESTHETICS AND CONSTRUCTION
The P71 adopts a minimalist and elegant aesthetic, prioritizing functionality over excessive ornamentation.
The housing is crafted from high-grade plastic, ensuring a lightweight and portable design without compromising durability.
This material selection makes it ideal for musicians who frequently transport their instrument or have limited space constraints.
PORTABILITY AND DURABILITY
Weighing in at a mere 25 pounds, the P71 is exceptionally portable, making it easy to maneuver and store.
This portability, coupled with its compact size, allows for seamless integration into various living spaces and facilitates effortless transportation for rehearsals or performances.
Despite the plastic construction, the P71 exudes a sense of sturdiness and can withstand the rigors of regular use.
If you’re curious about the original article featuring our product picks, you can find it right here.
