Yamaha P71 Review: “The Sound Master”

We gave the Yamaha P71 an 8/10 because this instrument does what it was designed to do, quite well. It is a fully-weighted, portable keyboard that easily fits into tight spaces, and has a lot of features, making it an overall crowd-pleaser. However, the two things I wish this keyboard had were 1. A record feature and 2. More polyphony, which is why it clocked in at 8/10.

Owning a Yamaha Digital Keyboard is a musician’s dream come true. Certainly, Yamaha is renowned for giving you the power to sound exactly the way you want to sound (They’re also known for making motorcycles, but I put that in parentheses because it’s kind of irrelevant. Anyways.) The Yamaha “P” series of portable keyboards is a benchmark for sound quality, flexibility, and value. In fact, the realism of the orchestral sounds is sometimes hard to believe. Even the sounds on the beginner model keyboards are high-quality and have an amazing selection of accompaniments to boot. Also, the keyboards often feature a wide range of automatic introductions, endings, and fills, all of which are available at the push of a button. The Yamaha P71 is no different. So stay tuned; Today, we are writing up a Yamaha P71 review for you!

Overview

The Yamaha P71 88-Key keyboard is one of the best piano keyboards on the market. But, did you know that the Yamaha P71 is actually an Amazon-exclusive product? Not to mention that it is the most economical piano in Yamaha’s P line. In fact, this instrument is designed to be the ideal digital piano for rehearsing at home, for learning, and for creating. Having a full-sized piano keyboard with fully-weighted keys provides a player with the most convincing feel and sound, while at the same time, maintaining a modern look (and keeping the living room space open!) in your home.

So, if you’re thinking about purchasing the Yamaha P71 88-key weighted action digital piano, then you should know it has the following features.

• Its dual-mode feature allows you to play two types of instrument sounds at once.
• It is extremely easy to use 
• It is portable 
• It has multiple voices
• It has a long-lasting, quality build 
• It has fully-weighted keys 
• It is well-suited for both beginners & experienced keyboard players alike
• The sound quality has rich bass and crisp treble.
• The keyboard has simple connectivity options that are easy to understand. No fuss, just plug it in and use it!

Features

Build & Design

Yamaha is one of the few portable keyboards manufacturers that builds and designs real pianos with strings nowadays. In fact, Yamaha is recognized as a world leader in pianos, especially when it comes to home models or baby grands. Despite its low price tag, the Yamaha P71 piano is contemporary and lustrous. The build quality is outstanding and the compact design makes it easy to place in the home.

Dual-Mode

The dual-mode feature of this piano deserves special attention. This is because it allows you to play’ 02-type’ instruments at the same time. Calling all singer-songwriters! This will allow you to hear and play both piano and guitar at the same time. What a great composing tool. This is an ideal instrument for creative-minded people who want to play or blend two separate devices simultaneously. 

Compact & Portable

Yamaha Portable Keyboards have always been recognized by consumer and music publications as superior musical instruments, as well as the portable keyboard brand of choice. With the invention of the Yamaha P71, Yamaha confirms its leadership position once again. Plus, it’s not as expensive as the comparable P121, so you can save yourself some cash! 

Fully Weighted Keys

Since it has 88 fully-weighted keys, the Yamaha P71 88-Key already has the basic feel of an upright piano. The number of keys alone is actually exactly the same as an acoustic piano. For the player, the P71 will be an easy transition instrument, meaning it will be seamless to practice at home on the electronic keyboard, and then switch to an upright in the studio. And since it has graded hammer and weighted action, you can really deliver in performances, and express emotion through the keys. 

Some keyboards don’t have weighted keys. As a result, this can lead to expressionless music. Unless you’re a producer looking to make electronic music with a MIDI input (this one doesn’t actually have a MIDI anyways…), that probably isn’t the best option. I always say, get weighted keys if you can afford them. These keys are graded, which makes it even better! If you don’t already know, grading is when the keys that are lower have more resistance than the keys that are higher. 

Sound Quality

As for sound, the Yamaha P71 delivers. It features high-quality audio that is perfect for both beginners and intermediate professionals. Also, the P71 features 10 different piano voices. These voices, paired with Yamaha’s AWM sound engine, which makes it tailor-made for remarkable sound quality. We’ve found yet another piano that has more than we’d expect for the price point. Now, you can enjoy the sound and feel of an acoustic piano, in an economical price range. 

Connectivity

The Yamaha P71 keyboard has simple features that even a keyboard newbie will understand without any trouble. A digital keyboard should have essential connectivity options so that a pianist can connect it with other accessories and instruments. 

It comes along with a jack of the sustain pedal (the pedal is also included), a USB port, and a headphone jack. You can easily connect this instrument to an amplifier as well. Also, adding piano to your mixing software will be pretty easy too!

Specifications

Now that you know all about the features of this piano, let’s talk specs:

• The Yamaha P71 is 25 pounds
• The shipping weight is about 36 pounds
• The keyboard is 14 inches by 25 cm
• It has 10 voices
• It has two smaller built-in speakers that measure 

Who Is It Suitable For?

The Yamaha P71 is well-suited for serious entry-level players. In fact, I would suggest this Yamaha keyboard for any students who wants to learn and is going to move forward with a professional teacher, and weekly lessons. Certainly, this is a stellar tool to learn proper techniques. But, if you’re just looking to get equipment to noodle on in your spare time, you’re probably better off with something cheaper and unweighted with many sounds, like the RockJam we recently reviewed. 

Yamaha P71 Unboxing

Want to see an unboxing? Let’s check out the instrument with WeAreLivingMagic. The creator bought this piano because he used to take formal lessons, stopped, and then decided to treat himself to a new piece of equipment.

He starts playing the sounds around three minutes in. The organs sound a little less than authentic to me, but the strings and vibraphone are pretty good! And the piano, of course, is excellent. At around four minutes he treats us to part of a piece by Erik Satie. Also, if you’re looking to check out what the other instruments in the “P” line sound like, you can listen to a review of the entire line with James Pavel here: 

Piano Pro-Tip: Always make sure you listen to an instrument before purchasing, even if you don’t get a chance to play on it yourself!

Pros and Cons

Pros

• It is an 88-key, fully-weighted piano
• It features 10 different tones
• It is compact, slim, and has a stylish design
• It has a great sound quality, including for solo playing
• It has a built-in metronome
• It has transposition tuning
• The pedal is included
• It has a duo and a dual-mode
• Last but not least, it’s affordable!

Cons

• It has no MIDI recording features
• There is no LED display
• It only has 64-note polyphony (in comparison, another model in the P line has 115 note polyphony)
• It does not have a split mode. Most pianos in this price range that have a dual-mode also have a split mode. Unfortunately, this one is an exception to the general rule. 
• It does not have a midi recorder
• The piano package itself doesn’t come with many accessories. You will not receive a stand with the instrument. A lot of buyers would expect an instrument stand for a piano over $400.
• Some reviewers have remarked that the piano keys make a slight clicking noise when pressed down hard. This is a likely dealbreaker for professionals, but not necessarily for beginners or intermediates. 

Quick View 

So Is the Yamaha P71 Worth the Price?

YES! This Yamaha P71 Keyboard is perfect for learners or even more professional piano players who’d like to play dual tones at once. It comes with a sustain pedal and a power adapter at a super affordable price. In my opinion, it’s one of the best piano keyboards in this price range.

Comparing the P71 to the “P” Line

Since the P line of Yamaha pianos is so popular, I thought I’d take a moment to introduce you to some of the other members of P71’s family. If you listened to JPS’s review of the P series, you probably already know this information! 

 The P line includes the following instruments:

• P45
• P71
• P121
•  P125
•  DGX-660
•  P515

The P45’s downfall is that it has no line outputs, yikes! It also only has 73 keys Of course, with it also being an under-500 instrument, this isn’t too terribly surprising. The P121 has a few more options in the mix, including new (and quite loud!) drum sounds. It also has demo features. The P121 is definitely a step up in sound. The P121, DGX-660, and P515 are all one notch up from one another.

All of this being said, I truly believe that the P71 is the best deal for a beginner or intermediate. The P121 is actually more expensive than the Yamaha P71, but it has fewer keys. And, if you’re just getting started, you don’t really need all of those functions that the P515 has to offer…at least not yet!

Yamaha: A Brief History

Did you know that the first Yamaha instrument was built in 1887? This was when businessman and watchmaker Torakusu Yamaha created his first organ. It was a reed organ. That being said, his first instrument wasn’t very popular. In fact, people kept complaining that it was too out of tune. After much studying, Yamaha improved his skills. 

it wasn’t until 1990 when the production of upright pianos began. Mr. Yamaha was an ingenious Japanese instrument maker, who ‘pioneered the production of western musical instruments in Japan’. (Reference: Yamaha.com)

Fast forward to 1954. This was the year the Yamaha Music School was created, along with the first Yamaha Hi-Fidelity player. In fact, if you want to learn more about the history of this famous musical instrument company, then head on over to Yamaha history. Finally, when you buy a Yamaha product, you’re not just buying a piano; you’re buying a piece of history!

Conclusion

It’s clear to see that the company Yamaha has a rich history. Here at Best Piano Keyboards, we say this: The Yamaha P71 keyboard is an excellent choice for starters and people who want to learn on a good quality piano at an affordable price. There are a lot of pianos out there that don’t have both a full-sized keyboard and weighted, graded keys. While some reviews complain about the lack of stand and key clicks, it wasn’t really a deal-breaker for us, because it is a beginner model. All in all, the Yamaha P71 is a great entry-level piano for under $500.

Be sure to come back to the Best Piano Keyboards Blog for more. In addition, you can check out our Top Ten Piano Reviews and Buying Guide, as well as our Best Digital Pianos Under $500 (and more!) below. Until next time!

Top Ten Piano Reviews And Buying Guide

Best Digital Piano Under $500

Williams Allegro 2 review in details

8Expert Score

We gave the Yamaha P71 an 8/10 because this instrument does what it was designed to do, quite well. It is a fully-weighted, portable keyboard that easily fits into tight spaces, and has a lot of features, making it an overall crowd-pleaser. The two things I wish this keyboard had were 1. A record feature and 2. More polyphony, which is why it clocked in at 8/10.

PROS

• It is an 88-key, fully-weighted piano
• It features 10 different tones
• It is compact, slim, and has a stylish design
• It has a great sound quality, including for solo playing
• It has a built-in metronome
• It has transposition tuning
• The pedal is included
• It has a duo and a dual-mode
• Last but not least, it’s affordable

CONS

• It has no MIDI recording features
• There is no LED display
• It only has 64-note polyphony (in comparison, another model in the P line has 115 note polyphony)
• It does not have a split mode. Most pianos in this price range that have a dual-mode also have a split mode. Unfortunately, this one is an exception to the general rule.
• It does not have a midi recorder
• The piano package itself doesn’t come with many accessories. You will not receive a stand with the instrument. A lot of buyers would expect an instrument stand for a piano over $400.
• Some reviewers have remarked that the piano keys make a slight clicking noise when pressed down hard. This is a likely dealbreaker for professionals, but not necessarily for beginners or intermediates.