Our Piano Equipment

Keyboard Dreams

Will I ever get a KB longer than 61 keys? Perhaps a 73 key Kenwood P-121. I have chosen not to spend money on a Digital Piano right away, I would need to check off some goals first, such as:

• • My ear comes is attuned enough so that my KB starts sounding off to me - ✔ CHECK - YUP, its way off. .

  • If I ever get to the point I need more than 61 keys to play my music. - ❌ Nope not Yet) 🎹♪♩

  • Play the melodies to 3 songs first:

    • I am learning Christian Dedication. - ✔ One Kingdom Melody

    • I am learning a few learner songs and learning the tune to Greensleeves. -❓ A few tunes down and more theocratic songs to go.

  • Funding availability. -❓

    • I had $250 saved from can money from us and Friends, but I temporarily lost my disability status and had to use it.

  • Play well enough that Friends that find it pleasant to listen too. ۶◔ ͜ ◔۶ ( ͡ ° ͜ʖ͡°) ͡° ͜໒ ͡° - ✔ Friends are so forgiving

    • So far my Wife enjoys me playing the 'Christian Dedication" melody. - ✔ One person down

  • Despite health and pain level that over time I am able to concentrate enough to get songs down that they do not take so much concentration to play.

Section updated Jan. 15, 2019

Why a used Yamaha Digital Piano P-121 or P-125

(The P-121 is a 73 key version of the P-125. The P-125 is the replacement model of the discontinued P-115 with upgraded features. )

If my playing goals happen, then, we may consider one. I have listened to several at the Guitar center and Youtube and I do like the Yamaha Digital Piano sound. The two entry level YD P-45 and YD P-115 models were suggested by my music teacher. Since then those models have been replaced by the P-121(73 key) and P-125(88 key). My wallet says be patient until you prove you will be able to play a few Kingdom Melodies in a manner that is pleasing for others to listen to.

Between the two Yamaha Digital Pianos(YDP's) in my range I eliminated the YD P-45 because of mostly its lesser quality sampling (of which even I can tell) but also, lack of recording ability, lack of outputs both audio and pedals.

A used discontinued YD P-115 is next up for about the same price used as the P-45. The YDP series worst weakness is its digital samples that are stretched over 29 keys. So why would I choose one, and USED at that, over a used higher end model like the YD P-255 or a Kawai ES110? The P-255 is $1,229 and the Kawai ES110 is $729, new that's why, and even used they command more value.

True the 29 key sample stretching of the YD P-115/121/125 series is a weakness, but here is some more reasoning for my choices:

• Price - The YD P-125 new is a $599 which is still above my budget piano but can be purchases used from Guitar Center for $379 to $440 used or blemished. At $440 \ 88 = $5 buys each key. Units do regularly come available, patience is the key to tune into a good deal. Higher end models hold their value more, but the Yamaha seems to lose its value quicker and in my case, this works for my benefit.

• The 73 key P-121 although is $549.99 new and so a used $449 model would be the goal. $449.99/73 = 6.16 for each key. Minus 15 keys, the lowest and top octave. See P-121 Manual link below.

• I am already set up to use a YDP-series piano as I already own a Yamaha FC4A single step from ebay to use as a sustain pedal with my current 'eMedia 61 key'. I also have the FC3A half sustain pedal that can be used on the YD P-115/121/125 series. With the FC3A half pedal the the P-121/125 has 9 sustain steps. With these two pedals I am already set up for Half Sustain along with Una Corta(Soft pedal). If I ever purchase a P-121/125, it will likely come with a single step pedal that I can use for sostenuto. Really, an addon I feature I will not need for a while, but a nice touch to complete my setup. To keep the pedals straight and properly spaced, I would mount them on a board to keep things tidy.

• I am a beginner - If I do get to then it is worthy of getting a better Piano I hope my ears will never develop to the stage of being bothered by the 29 key stretched sampling for the near future. But SURLY good enough to keep me until the new system.

• So the decision is on a Yamaha Digital Piano P-121w , or P-125w (perhaps in white, as we have so much black plastic encased tech in our house already.)

  • Here is more information on the YD P-125, P-121, and the discontinued P-115 series below:

  • usa.Yamaha Digital Piano P_Series - Yamaha product site page for the P-series models.

  • The current model are the P-121 and P125 with upgraded features from the P-115. Better sound, more voices, and a new control app for programing. (Android compatible with P-121 and P-125 as of June 2019)

  • P-121 is a 73 key version found at the Guitar Center of the updated P-125.

  • Yamaha P-121 Manual also for P-125 as almost the same less some keys and the ability to shift the keyboard pitch up or down by 1 octave. The 73 keys from E0 - E6. The F0, F#0 and G0 keys control octag shift as below:

    • P-121 octave shift; While holding down the "PIANO" button and the 2nd 3rd and 4th keys of the lowest octave zero(0) G | F# | G keys, F0 shift down -1 octave ~ G0: shift up +1 octave ~ F#0 is the default octave range. The 3 setting ranges are: -1 | 0 | +1.

  • Yamaha P-125 Manual just for the P-125. 88 keys, A1-C7

  • Used YD P-115 at Guitar Center - They come and go on sale here at the Guitar Center for $399 and up. Optional 3 year insurance technical and accident available for $70. Its cost extra to ship to local store. Adding insurance and shipping fee from a non local store can near new price.

  • YD P-115 Owner's Manual .pdf - For those that bother read such things.

  • YD P-115 Digital Piano Review - from 'Piano Key Solution'.

  • YD P-105 teardown - Piano World Piano & Digital Piano Forums - Even older previous model of same piano but still cool.

  • Comparison of Portable Digital Pianos under 1000 US$ - Buying Guide - This is where the 29 stretched key sample weakness is brought out on PianoWorld. There are a lot of knowledgeable people on this site.

  • YD P-45 vs Yamaha P-115: Which is Better? - by 'Digital Piano Review Guide'.

Updated Jan 15, 2019