When it comes to Yamaha lighted keys keyboard there are several units with specially marked keys to make learning to play the piano easier. Such keyboards contain keys, lit by small red lamps to indicate where the novice must place her fingers. This also serves as an orientation aid when locating adjacent notes. This can be analogous with the raised keys of a typewriter indicating the home row.
The EZ-200 lighted keyboard is one prime example of a Yamaha lighted keys keyboard. The keys illuminate when the player selects a song, chooses whether she wants to play left or right-handed, then finally hits START. As the chosen song plays, the proper keys that must be pressed light up and the song will slow down or pause until the player strikes all the proper keys.
All Yamaha lighted keyboards come with Yamaha Education Suite (YES) built in software. Three keyboard lessons are organized for each song that a beginner plays for the first time. The first lesson calls for the player to listen and learn the melody of the song. The second allows the newbie to play the song by striking the key with the right timing. Lesson Three is the "Waiting" mode that allows time for that person to find the right key. The song pauses until the correct key is struck then continues.
There are two common models of Yamaha lighted keyboards: the EZ-150 and the EZ-200. Both are very similar when it comes to features as the YES software with three introductory lessons, the performance grader, and the chord dictionary. Marketed in February of 2007, the EZ-200 is an upgrade to the EZ-150 and EZ-250 with 367 general MIDI & XGlite compatible voice and nine reverb settings. The EZ-150 only has 100 built in voices. It also has an LCD screen that can be used with the Survival Kit (sold separately). The Survival Kit contains a power adapter, a two-year extended warranty, headphones, foot switch, and a DVD with learning software. The EZ-150 has 16-note polyphony meaning up to 16 notes can be played simultaneously while the EZ-200 has 32-note polyphony. The EZ-150 typically retails at 0 while the EZ-200 sells for around 0.
What are people saying about Yamaha lighted keys keyboard? Many have purchased these keyboards for children under 12 years old to learn on. Most customers are impressed with the great sound as well as how quickly their kids can learn to play. Not only do the keys light up, but the screen tells the beginner what fingers to use. Parents find that once their kids start using this unit, they become addicted to it and play for a few hours almost every day. As for the feel of the keys and the sound resemblance to an actual piano, many users do not feel it comes as close as it claims. Still, the vast majority have been highly satisfied with the unit.
One common complaint remains about the Yamaha lighted keyboards: its stand. Reviewers commonly express with how awkward and flimsy it can be. Some have found that it keeps tipping over, especially considering that the stand does not strap or screw into the bottom of the piano keyboard. Yet others comment that they've had no problems with it.
Overall, with the low affordable price and the great many built-in features, these units serve as fantastic learning tools. Adults, as well as children, enjoy learning on them and habitually play them on a daily basis. Though these digital pianos don't have the power and sound quality of upscale models, most everyone who has purchased one of the Yamaha lighted keys keyboard finds them highly satisfactory.
