29 July 2025
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John Evans handpicks some piano models from the Yamaha family that will fit the bill perfectly for the beginner pianist
With years of experience nurturing, enabling and supporting musicians at the beginning of their musical journeys, Yamaha is the perfect partner for your adventures in music. For beginners or returnees, that adventure begins with a choice of instruments: acoustic pianos with or without Yamaha’s Silent Piano capability, TransAcoustic pianos on which you can actually turn down the volume and digital pianos in the form of the popular Clavinova CLP, the Clavinova CSP and the Arius – the latter a range of quality pianos that are exceptional value for money.
That’s a lot of pianos to choose from but fortunately they each serve distinct needs and aspirations although, inevitably, there is some overlap, namely in their pleasing responsiveness and inspiring sound quality.
B SERIES ACOUSTIC PIANO
For beginners or more experienced pianists who crave the character and spirit of a natural piano, Yamaha’s b series range of acoustic pianos awaits. Priced competitively but designed and built to Yamaha’s high standards, the three-model range rewards the pianist from the very moment they begin playing. Yamaha’s b1 acoustic upright 44
At 109cm high, the b1 is the baby in the range, albeit with a surprisingly mature tone. The b2 is slightly taller at (113cm) and heavier with a sound to match – one with added depth and volume – so potentially for the more ambitious beginner. Topping the three-model range is the b3, a 121cm-tall piano that takes the affordable b Series to near professional standards of touch and sound.
B SERIES SILENT PIANO
Yamaha’s Silent Piano is two pianos in one: an acoustic instrument that can be played and heard as normal or, at the press of a button, can be heard only through headphones.
Hammers, soundboard, strings and dampers – they’re all present but choose to play in Quiet mode and the hammers are stopped mid flight before they strike the strings. In their place, optical sensors read the power of each key stroke and, via a digital tone generator a digitally sampled piano sound can be heard through headphones.
Digitally sampled it may be but it is an exceptionally natural acoustic sound. What’s more, despite the system’s intervention, there is no change in the feel of the key action. Having digital capability means a Silent Piano comes with a wealth of additional features including record and review functions plus a selection of piano sounds including Yamaha CFX and Bösendorfer grand pianos.
Silent Piano is available across the b Series range, in ascending order of size, b1 SC1, b1 SC2 and b1 SC3.
The instrument is the perfect answer for the pianist keen to experience the sound of an acoustic piano when circumstances allow but also when others wish not to be disturbed.
TRANSACOUSTIC B SERIES PIANO
An acoustic piano whose sound you can turn down? It sounds impossible but thanks to transducer technology which, as the strings are struck, converts the vibrations of the piano’s soundboard into electrical signals, it’s a reality on Yamaha’s range of TransAcoustic pianos.
Supported by a special Articulation Sensor capable of detecting the finest movements of the keys, the system preserves and conveys the piano’s acoustic resonance, crucially at all volumes. This means it’s possible to play quietly without disturbing others but still enjoy the piano’s natural sound and the keyboard’s sensitive responses.
Of course, it’s also possible to play the piano in full, acoustic mode. Alternatively, if even in its quietest setting TransAcoustic mode is disturbing others, it can be played in Quiet mode, as on a Yamaha Silent Piano. Again, having digital capability means it comes with additional features including record and review functions plus a selection of piano sounds and rhythms. TransAcoustic pianos are available across the b Series range in b1 TC3, b2 TC3 and b3 TC3 forms.
CLAVINOVA: CLP-800 AND CSP-200 SMART SERIES
For more than 40 years, Clavinova has been expanding the possibilities of the digital piano while, with each passing generation, replicating ever more accurately the touch and sound of an acoustic instrument. Today, the CLP 800 series range of Clavinova pianos stand as testament to Yamaha’s success in achieving both goals.
In addition, being digital instruments opens up a world of learning resources. CLP-800 Series pianos feature 50 of the most famous classical pieces as well as 303 exercises by Hanon, Beyer, Czerny and Burgmüller. Sheet music is also available for download and viewing on the popular Flowkey or Yamaha Smart Pianist apps (see below).
The quality of the piano sounds via the instrument’s sophisticated speakers or, when others don’t wish to be disturbed, through headphones, and the touch and feel of the keys is such that the beginner will, crucially for their development, experience the pleasure and the rewards of playing a piano that is akin to a high quality acoustic instrument – but one that is infinitely more versatile.
Where the CLP prioritises authentic piano feel and sound, Yamaha’s CSP Smart digital piano series excels in its range of interactive learning features. For example, in combination with Yamaha’s Smart Pianist app, Stream Lights above the keys illuminate to show the pianist which ones are to be played.
In addition, the CSP features a choice of piano sounds including Yamaha CFX concert grand and Bösendorfer Imperial plus a wide range of instrument and effects sounds. It also has an extensive library of more than 400 internal songs.
Play to your favourite music and adjust the pitch or tempo to suit your playing or even mute the lead voice – everything’s possible with this digital piano that can support the pianist from their first pieces to advanced performance.
ARIUS STANDARD AND SLIM SERIES
For pianists beginning their musical adventures on a modest budget, the Arius range of pianos is an ideal choice. Available in Standard and, for the smaller room, Slim cabinet sizes, an Arius piano offers all the expression, tonal quality and resonance of a grand piano in a choice of attractive cabinets but at a value-formoney price.
All models have 88 keys and the Yamaha CFX concert grand piano sound, and are compatible with Yamaha’s Smart Pianist app. Available in four versions – standard-size YDP-165 and YDP-145, and slim-size YDP-S55 and YDP-S35 – these feature-rich yet affordable digital pianos are ideal for the beginner taking their first, cautious steps in music.
YAMAHA SMART PIANIST APP
No one said starting out at the piano was easy but with the free downloadable Smart Pianist app the beginner has a valuable support and resource that can make those first steps and beyond infinitely easier and more enjoyable.
Compatible with most Yamaha pianos, when run through a smart device such as an Apple iPad, the app’s screen enables the pianist to choose from a suite of functions and features including preset song scores, backing accompaniments and practise tools including tempo changes, score simplification, and record and review.
The options with Smart Pianist are endless but for the beginner its most valuable feature is the ability to display the sheet music uploaded by the pianist which the app then analyses. Having done so, it can play the whole piece back so the pianist can gain a vision of what to practise.
Selecting the Part option on the device display allows the pianist to practise one hand while the other is played by the piano. The tempo adjust function encourages slow practice, increasing in speed as the pianist improves. By using the record function, the pianist can review their progress.
With such a variety of pianos both acoustic, digital and even ones combining both concepts, there’s a Yamaha piano for every stage of your musical journey.
