The Yamaha Piano

To begin with, there are various piano models in the world. Each one is unique and has its own sound. However most of them are more or less providing the same effect.
The Steinway pianos are probably the best ones according to many professionals but just a few of us can afford buying such an expensive piano.
The rest of us would probably settle for a great Yamaha. The Yamaha piano is probably the most recommended piano in the affordable pianos section.

The Yamaha Company has produced hundreds of models of acoustic and digital pianos. Thousands of music schools use Yamaha instruments. Concerts and piano competitions are performed with the Yamaha grand concert pianos. Millions of musicians, pianists, composers, teachers and students own these pianos and not for nothing.

How did Yamaha become such a popular brand? Is it worthwhile buying a Yamaha?

On this page I'll focus on the acoustic pianos manufactured by Yamaha. I'll explain what their advantages are in order to help you to decide whether or not to buy a Yamaha

At the bottom of this page you will find links to reviews about specific models of Yamaha pianos, and other products too such as digital pianos, keyboards and more.

When you think about buying a piano, there are some points you should consider:
Quality, reliability, reputation, sound, touch, design and of course... the price.

Let's examine the Yamaha pianos regarding the above points.

Quality, reliability and reputation

I would say that above all, Yamahas are best known for their reliability.
As a student in various schools of music and as a visitor in many others I have encountered Yamaha pianos everywhere.

If you have ever visited a music school you have probably heard the sound of pianos coming from practicing rooms. Pianists practice hours and hours every day and therefore music schools must choose pianos that will be strong enough to bear long hours of playing and practicing every day.

Music schools can't compromise when choosing pianos which may develop problems, because maintaining costs will be very high. (click here to learn more about tuning a piano - a good piano is one that holds the tuning)
Hence, they prefer to buy pianos that are strong and stable. A Yamaha is definitely one that requires minimum maintenance.

When you check a piano you probably want to ensure that the reputation of the company is high. The Yamaha Company has been producing pianos for more than 100 years. They have won awards with their pianos which are played on in professional concerts, recordings and competitions. This means their reputation is excellent.

There is another point regarding the reputation - you can always sell a Yamaha. If you want to upgrade your piano you will probably offer to sell yours (unless you have a big house!). People prefer to buy pianos with a good reputation especially if they buy from a private seller. You can not give them a warranty (like the one given from a store), so the reputation of the brand you hold will help to sell your piano.

Sound

We know now that a Yamaha piano is a high quality instrument, what about its sound?

Sound is a matter of taste. You can love the sound of a piano, or not. The sound of a piano is a result of many components - the materials of the different parts, the size of the piano, the process of building the piano and more ( click here to learn how does the piano work and you will see the different parts of the piano ).

Yamaha has many different models, each one is built differently, and therfore you may love the sound of one model of a Yamaha piano, while you may dislike the other one.

I would say that after playing on many Yamaha pianos I love their touch but I prefer the sound of other piano brands such as Petrof, Baldwin and many others. I find the sound of the Yamaha pianos clear, clean and sharp which is compatible with Jazz music, but when playing classical music I prefer a deeper and warmer sound.

This is my own taste. Yours may think differently of course.

Of course, I'm not talking about Yamaha Grand pianos which have a clean, rich, and warm, sound. A Yamaha Grand piano should be considered if you can afford it!

When you choose a piano in a store, try out the Yamahas and the other brands as well. Listen to the differences between the Yamahas and other pianos. Usually you will find that the Yamaha pianos have a unique sound which is quiet different from other brands.

My advice is to listen to various pianos and let your heart make the decision for you!

Touch

The touch of a piano is also a matter of taste. One pianist may prefer a lighter touch while the other will prefer a heavier touch. I have tried many pianos with different touch response and my conclusion was that Yamaha pianos have a light touch when compared with other brands. In other words you don't have to put much pressure on the keys of a Yamaha piano when playing.

I find the Yamaha touch very effective. It gives you a full control of the sound. You can play from pianissimo to fortissimo and convey a whole spectrum of expressions.
The mechanics are perfect, allowing you to play trills easily and to perform extremely fast passages and arpeggios.

Cost effective

Yamaha have succeeded in massive production. They designed various models such as U1, U2 U3 and then produced millions of them. This massive production has allowed the Yamaha Company to sell their pianos at a low price. You can get a high quality piano for an affordable price.

When you buy a piano you should also think about the day when you may wish to sell it. As I said before it is much easier to sell a Yamaha piano due to the reputation of the company.

Design

Yamaha pianos come in various designs. First, you should ask yourself what size would best fit your room or salon. Then, choose the design and color that you prefer. I can't help you in this field since it's a matter of personal taste, but I would say that Yamaha pianos are not too sophisticated and their colors could match all kinds of interior decorations of rooms and salons.

Most popular pianos by Yamaha

Yamaha upright pianos include many models. There is the T series, the U series, YUS series and more. The U series is the most popular one including the U1 which is used all over the world.

Yamaha Grand piano include various models. The C series is the most popular one; you can find it in many music schools and on many stages all over the world.

Yamaha silent piano is great if you want to play late at night without worrying about neighbors. You get an acoustic piano that you can plug to headphones.

Other brands owned by Yamaha:

Yamaha owns other brands as well: Cable-Nelson, Avant-grand.

Awards:

1904-Yamaha pianos win honorary award at St. Louis World's Exposition.

Yamaha in the digital world

Yamaha dominates the world of digital pianos and keyboards. There is no other brand in the world that has produced so many models and has sold so many instruments. Click the following links and you will learn more about Yamaha digital pianos, Yamaha Clavinova, and the Yamaha keyboards.