Customer Reviews

Yamaha EZ-200 61 Full-Sized Touch Keyboard, Sensitive Keys with Lighted Key Teaching

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I am a 36 yo man, I've always wanted to learn piano so I thought I'd get this keyboard which I thought had built in lessons that would guide my learning to play the piano...
For all intents and purposes, doesn't the description seem to infer that? That with the Y.E.S.5 teaching system and all those built in songs you'd have a well thought out lesson plan built in. That was my misunderstanding:::
What it actually is is a nice keyboard that you can learn on, but it won't teach you- the emphasis is on getting out what you put in- you have to really stumble your way thru learning the built in songs that the keyboard lights up the correct keys you're supposed to strike- there is not a good fluid way to learn a little piece at a time (It does have an A-B feature but it's not so much a loop as it is a measure to measure cycle with a 2-4 bar intro, each time!) So its not like you can just sit there and play it over and over and over again until you and your fingers get it, its: play the 2 or so bars you select (A-B) and then at the end, it goes thru at least a 2 bar beat count and then resumes the 2 bars of the song you're trying to learn.... does that make sense?
There are not lesson plans. In the book it says to "Listen to and Learn" the song. My memory isn't that fantastic that I can learn the songs by listening to them and then just learning, I think it would be a vast improvement to have a real loop feature that you could use to select a portion, loop it ad infinitum until you learn it and them move on. Also, I was really thinking that with the latest Learning System (Y.E.S.5) that there would be beginner lessons on reading the sheet music, finger drills, scales, etc... all the stuff you learn when you're learning piano- this piano system is for prodigies and people who already know piano.
So while it is a nice keyboard, it is not the EZ piano that will teach you how to play, you will have to look elsewhere to learn, or teach yourself, but this keyboard with all its songs and such will not be a step by step tutor....

I did a lot of research before I finally order YAMAHA EZ-200 a week ago from Amazon ($150+plus shipping)
I had a couple years of basic piano lessons and wanting a keyboard for myself to learn some songs for self-entertaining purpose, using synthesia program. The features that I was looking for:

-Minimal 61 keys/regular size keys for basic beginners
-lighted keys for guided practice
-LCD for guided fingering
-realistic piano sounds
-piano like touch (Touch sensitive keys)
-ability to download MIDI from the computer

After playing with YAMAHA EZ-200 for a week, it delivers what I am looking for:

-content in the box include: EZ-200 keyboard, a product manual, a song book and a demo DVD of YAMAHA products.
-the keyboard was well made (made in China), elegant look; does not have that cheap plastic feeling
-YAMAHA education suite allows you to set a section between A point and B point, which let you practice that segment repeatedly
-the keyboard does simulate a stand-up piano quality
-"Waiting" function allows lighted key to pause and wait for you to catch up the music
-Allows practice separate right hand and left hand practice
-Allows to slow down the tempo the the song (included) that helps practice

A few things I'd like to address, not related to how EZ-200 was made, but probably would have affect my purchasing decision if I had known it ahead of time:

-AC adapter NOT included with YAMAHA EZ-200.

I was shocked when I realize the AC adapter is not included, especially when the product manual stresses the importance of using an AC adapter for environmental friendly reason. After seeing many sellers include AC adapter in their package, I did suspect AC adapter may not included in the box, but I still choose to purchase EZ-200 without any other bells and whistles. A friend purchased the YAMAHA PSR-E230 bundle with a keyboard stand and earphones. She reports the stand was flimsy and not sturdy for the keyboard. I really don't need a filmsy stand that doesn't serve the purpose, but a AC adapter that can spare the use of batteries and prevent environmental pollution, I can use one.

-USB MIDI Cable Converter (PC to Music Keyboard) NOT included

The YAMAHA EZ-200 keyboard itself is excellent!!! I'll give it a 5-star rating. As for the overall package, until it comes with AC adapter, I'll give it 4 star.
C'mon, it's like a boom box radio that did not provide a AC adapter. YAMAHA, WHAT R U THINKING???

I used to take piano when I was 4 until I was a teenager. I'm only getting back into learning now, and I decided I didn't want to spend too much money until I'm dedicated to piano again. This is perfect for a beginner. It's not going to teach you entirely how to play piano, but the lighted keys are fun for playing along with something complicated you wouldn't normally try. It doesn't work as great as I hoped, especially on "Waiting" mode. If you play in time with the song, the key does not register and you have to press it twice. I haven't found an option to mute the instructional playing and allow you to play alone with the background music. But you can always play without song mode and set your own background tempo. This keyboard does not teach you how to read sheet music, or anything about the notes, so don't expect that when buying the EZ-200. You need to purchase a book or take lessons if you can afford it. I love that the keyboard has a metronome, and you can change the tempo easily. Overall this is a nice keyboard to practice with while learning.

The only two options in this category seem to be this and the casio, and I think the yamaha is a better product hands-down. It feels a bit more substantial, and the sound seems (to me) much improved.

The actual lighted feature is nice, and I enjoyed a few of the songs, but I was a bit dissapointed that additional songs could not be added to the keyboard itself. They do have free software online (and a few free songs) that can talk to the keyboard through MIDI, and with that you can sort of play new songs, but it doesn't take full advantage of the lighted keys.

I am teaching my son to play although I am just learning myself. The key board has adequate sound and is a good teaching aid. I am very pleased and would purchase again.

I purchased this as a gift for my wife. We have't had a chance to really get into all it's functions, but so far it's great. Very light weight, the lighted keys work fine, the sound is terrific, and the sound is sensitive to the pressure on the keys. We both hope to learn some basic songs in the future with this.