Yamaha Clavinova CLP-735 Review of Quirks and Features and Demo from a Concert Pianist (Review)

[@tamishupadhyay2769]

This is the best review of CLP735. What sets your video apart from others is that you have actually tried to show what internal speakers sound like. Thank you !

[@CharlieAlbrightPianist]

Thank you very much! 😄

[@Fabiano.Bittencourt]

Best review of the CLP-735 and I have seen my fair share of CLP-735 reviews. Congrats.

[@CharlieAlbrightPianist]

Thank you! Be sure to sub if you haven’t already, and thanks for your support! 😄

[@benforsthoffer3978]

Thanks for the great review Charlie! I just purchased an 835 as an addition to my acoustic grand!

[@CharlieAlbrightPianist]

Congratulations, and thank you! I'm really enjoying mine (which complements my acoustic grand too). Make sure you've got a nice pair of headphones, and enjoy! :)

[@bricogeta]

This is the most helpfull review i have never seen for this piano, thank you very very much !!

[@CharlieAlbrightPianist]

Thanks, @bricev! I enjoy using it as a supplement to my regular piano, and I'm pretty happy with mine! Be sure to sub for more, and thanks for your support! 😄

[@adambutcher1533]

That was good quality content and awesome piano-playing !

[@CharlieAlbrightPianist]

Thanks, @adambutcher1533! Appreciate your support (and thanks for commenting too!). Be sure you're subbed for more! :)

[@adambutcher1533]

I’m your newest subscriber 👍

[@CharlieAlbrightPianist]

Awesome.@@adambutcher1533

[@bobomonkey702]

I love a good honest unbiased review. Thank you.

[@CharlieAlbrightPianist]

Thanks for watching! Be sure to sub for more vids, and thanks again! 😄

[@Kinnor.Home.Studios]

Honest and unbiased, because he is a real American man.

[@Sudulicious]

@@Kinnor.Home.Studios LOL americans are salesmen, not truth seekers

[@frankweichert6626]

Hi Charlie, I see you bought a Yamaha Clavinova CLP-735. These instruments are really getting better and better. I think you remember we bought a Kawai CA99 for my nephew to learn piano. I really thought long and hard about whether it should be a Kawai or a Yamaha. Today I would say that both build very good instruments for it. I really enjoy playing our Kawai CA99 and prefer the Shigeru Kawai sound of the SK-7 grand piano. With your Yamaha I would definitely often be on the CFX Grand setting. With all that, my Yamaha grand piano C3x is the best :-) Congratulations Charlie, a good video for anyone who needs a recommendation. Warm greetings from Germany FRANK

[@CharlieAlbrightPianist]

Hi Frank! Yup, my old Roland KR-105 was starting to have some issues, and it was time to upgrade. It is definitely far more realistic than the Roland was (which wasn't a bad one itself!). Hope your new year is off to a great start! :)

[@jaws10278]

I bought a Kawai CA49. I fell in love with the 88 wooden keys and the grand compact action.

[@CharlieAlbrightPianist]

Heard the Kawai CAs were nice (was thinking about getting that line, too!). Glad it's working out well for you! Be sure to sub if you haven't already, and thanks for your support! 😄

[@jaws10278]

@@CharlieAlbrightPianist thank you for your response! Im honored. I have subscribed to your channel. Im an organist by training. I would give my right arm to be able to play piano like you. Which is why I bought the Kawai. Most digital pianos with “weighted” keys reminded me of tracker touch organ manuals on digital organs. The Kawai felt like an actual piano action.

[@CharlieAlbrightPianist]

@@jaws10278 Glad it's working out well for you! I use mine almost exclusively with headphones (which make it feel pretty real). Without headphones, it definitely sounds/feels fake.

[@jaws10278]

@@CharlieAlbrightPianist I have to say I think the Kawai sounds very real, but Im not a professional pianist like you. I dont care to have the headphones on. I like to feel the vibrations through the keys to my hands.

[@manish.pianist]

Thank you for all details,you play very nice brother, i just brought yamaha CLP 735R and very happy with it. i wish I could play like you.. ,i m from India 🎹🎶🇮🇳

[@CharlieAlbrightPianist]

Very cool, @manishgoswami5393! I think the "R" on the end means you got the rosewood color? Please be sure to subscribe for more, and thank you for your support! :)

[@manish.pianist]

@@CharlieAlbrightPianist yes bro R for rosewood, i subscribe 😊

[@VonikGames]

Wow I’m more excited for mine to come in. I just got this while I’m away from home at college. I play a Grand piano from Yamaha when I am home

[@CharlieAlbrightPianist]

Oh wow...nice! Well, I'm liking mine! Be sure to sub for more, and thanks again for your support! 😄

Thanks for this video. Such a nice work. Thanks for share

[@CharlieAlbrightPianist]

Hey thank you! Be sure you're subbed for more, and thanks also for commenting! 😄

[@nickk8416]

Hey Charlie, beautiful playing on Widmung. Great piece. I just bot a Kawaii ca-49 and I'm mostly very happy except I'm not crazy about the action compared to my past acoustic upright. Maybe it just takes some getting used to.

[@CharlieAlbrightPianist]

Thank you, and congrats on the new digital piano! Haven’t tried that one but have heard good things about those CA Kawais. Try using good headphones and tweaking the touch, reverb, and piano kid settings (if it has them), which might help. Also, mine feels/sounds bad with the built-in speakers, but with my Bose noise-cancelling headphones, seems much better. I find good digital pianos preferable to uprights (I usually feel that their action is closer to a grand than an upright is). Keep me posted! 😄

[@miguelflores9151]

I love this kind of video😂

[@CharlieAlbrightPianist]

Glad you like it! 😄

[@ITPoshLady1]

thank you this video is extemely helpful!

[@CharlieAlbrightPianist]

Thanks for watching!

[@usaroman]

Thanks for the demo... I thought you said you were going to tell us about the quirks. Curious to know what they are. I have this same model and it's ok, not really thrilled, but i can't afford anything else.

[@CharlieAlbrightPianist]

There aren't too many quirks that I've found. For this model, however, I'd highly recommend using it primarily with headphones (I use some Bose QuietComfort 35s to practice with) as the experience is like 1000x improved over just playing with the built-in speakers. I've also found that when using the built-in speakers, turning off "VRM" in settings actually makes it sound better. When it's on, it seems to sound like it's "moaning" a bit in a bad way with the built-in speakers, but with headphones, I leave it on. Thanks for watching, and for leaving a comment! :) Be sure you're subbed for more! 😄

[@usaroman]

Agreed, worse speakers ever and headphones makes a huge difference in fact that is the reason I haven't sold it, I also like the recording feature because of its immediacy, i can quickly capture many inspired moments. Most of the samples are quite uninspiring, my favorite is the Bright piano over both the CFX and Bösendofer. Thanks for the reply.

[@mohamadalibehboodi]

Charlie, thanks for this nice video. I am kind of stuck between this and Kawai CA401. The touch is important for me as it would be my only instrument for practice. The fact that Kawai has wooden key is tempting and the key action was good as I have tried that. Never got a chance to try this Yamaha though. I Appreciate your help.

[@CharlieAlbrightPianist]

Haven’t personally tried the Kawais, but was thinking about them when I bought mine. I think the Yamaha CLP line has some with wooden keys too (not the 735 that I have), so you might take a look at those too if that’s something you’d like! 😄 Keep me posted!

[@Sudulicious]

I tried the CLP735 yesterday and I was very very disappointed with the key action and the sound from the speakers, it felt a cheap piano. I had a Kawai CN301 and it was much much better, but I had to sell for travel reasons, but looks like I need to increase my budget and go for the CA701, but from Yamaha I was really disappointed.

[@CharlieAlbrightPianist]

For me, it’s a must to use good quality headphones. Makes it way better, at least for me. 😄

[@rob1261a]

I think the current best deal is the discontinued Kawai CA59. It’s on clearance for under 3k. It has more than the Yamaha 835 or Kawai 401. It has wooden keys and a 100 watt sound system.

[@mimiquii]

Awesome review, really covering everything about this piano! Thanks a lot. Just have some questions for you, as I assume you are a good pianist. Do you think the wooden key of the higher models will change a lot the feeling when you play? I m not a big pianist, just a beginner, maybe it would be too much to buy higher models just for that feature and also for the bluetooth cuz you can control with the Yamaha app without cable. I m thinking of buying this one and a yamaha adapter to have bluetooth midi to use the app (I hope its works like that). I think it will be a really good investment for me as a beginner till a good level in some years, what do you think about that? TY in advance for ur answer, hope you will see that haha!

[@CharlieAlbrightPianist]

Hi, thanks for your support! I haven't tried the higher end models with the wooden keys; I assume they're better, but for me, this was a secondary practice piano to be used in my office to complement my Steinway grand piano that I also practice on. For a beginner, this might be a great option to consider. I found mine used at a piano store, so got it at a discount to a new one. This one can connect via USB to your computer for midi, but does not have bluetooth built-in. I've never tried bluetooth MIDI before, so I'm not sure how it compares; as long as there's no noticeable delay in the connection, it's probably fine (you wouldn't want a delay!). This piano was replacing an old Roland that I had for many years that finally stopped working properly...and while I even practiced on that as my main piano for many years, this one is a significant improvement in terms of feeling like a piano (with good headphones on) than that one...and I even learned complicated pieces including the Rachmaninoff Paganini Variations on that one! Good luck and keep me posted! :)

[@mimiquii]

@@CharlieAlbrightPianist oh ok I see! If you are used to play on a real good piano and you learned hard pieces on this one I assume the feeling is still good and I won't waste my learning practicing on the clp734. Just an other thing, do I need to buy another chair or this one is ok? I m kinda tall and have long legs idk if it will be a problem... Can we modify the keyboard height?

[@CharlieAlbrightPianist]

@@mimiquii This is probably more than enough of a digital piano for a beginner level student. The seat isn't adjustable, nor is the keyboard height (I think it's the standard piano keyboard height). The seat works for me, though. You can always give it a try and if it doesn't work, use cushions or find another bench. :)

[@mimiquii]

@@CharlieAlbrightPianist ok thank you for all the informations and advices, I will tell you in some days or maybe 1 or 2 weeks how it goes for me with this keyboard!

[@phish1]

Great video! I'm thinking of purchasing this model. I know you aid you tried plugging in a non expensive small Bose set of speakers. But have you ever tried hooking up a set of nice external speakers with a sub woofer, or know anyone who has? Curious if that would make a big difference. Thanks!

[@CharlieAlbrightPianist]

Haven’t tried it out with higher end speakers, but it sounds great with my Bose headphones 😄

[@FrixxyGaming]

tysm for this awesome video! I had question. If I wanted to record some videos with this piano, is there some sort of connection i can do from the piano to the device.? For clear audio?

[@CharlieAlbrightPianist]

Thank you for commenting! That’s a good question. Short answer is “I’m not sure, but I think probably.” You could likely just use one of the two headphone output ports and have it go into a mic (I have an old Zoom mic I use for my real piano vids) or a computer Line-In. There’s also a USB port you can use to hook it up to a computer and use your own samples too. 😄 Be sure to sub for more, and thanks for your support!

[@malvikabaru]

Quick question, is there a tuning for LHS and RSH? I feel like my lower octaves (LHS/base) are high in sound than higher octaves (RHS).

[@CharlieAlbrightPianist]

Not that I know of, but it's possible. One easy way might be to do a factory reset (I think there may be a setting to reset it to factory settings). That way, if some setting got changed inadvertently, it should all go back to "normal." Let me know if this works! :)

[@gokhancatalbas4109]

Hello. If we connect the Bluetooth adapter to CLP 735 via USB, can we use the smart pianist application wirelessly?

[@CharlieAlbrightPianist]

Not sure, sorry...I don't have the adapter, so I haven't tried. If you find out, please let us all know in the comments!

[@oswaldhiren0610]

hey great review… i think u said it wrong but clp735 has ivory keys not plastic.. Its mentioned online

[@CharlieAlbrightPianist]

Thank you! I think they are plastic on the CLP-735. From the CLP-745 and up, they’re wooden. Don’t think any are real ivory because that would be illegal. Thank you for watching and commenting! Be sure to sub for more! 😄

[@oswaldhiren0610]

@@CharlieAlbrightPianist But i believe it does feel less plasticy?? Like as u being a steinway artist do u feel any major change? if i were to practice on it will it affect my technique?

[@CharlieAlbrightPianist]

Thanks for commenting,@@oswaldhiren0610 ! Real pianos nowadays have plastic keys (I've played on some old pianos that still have ivory ones, though!). This Yamaha is pretty good. I pretty much only use it with noise-cancelling headphones (it sounds terrible with the built-in speakers). With the headphones I use, it feels pretty realistic. It has a lighter touch than some real pianos, but I think that is the norm for most digital pianos. Thanks for commenting! 😄

[@leatherlips]

Thanks for the informative video. I am strongly considering buying this piano for my daughter. She wants to be able to export what she plays on the piano as a midi file to import into a program like GarageBand. Will this piano be able to do that? Thank you for your time.

[@CharlieAlbrightPianist]

Thanks for watching the video, @leatherlips! Not sure if it does exactly what you're describing, but I have connected it to my computer with a cable and used it to play/record into Logic Pro. It has some recording function(s) built in, but I'm not sure if you can record it first on the piano and then send it via midi to the computer, as I haven't done that myself. Please subscribe if you haven't already, and thanks for the support! 😄

[@carlahummel1935]

Hi Charlie, I have a much older model (1998 Clavinova 820). The keys make a clicking sound when played. I believe it has been here for awhile. Any advice? Thanks! Carla

[@CharlieAlbrightPianist]

It might be in need of some lubricant. Mine had some noise and the technician came out and applied some lubricant to the keys, and it made them a lot better! :)

[@flappybird315]

Does it feel like a grand piano in touch? Especially the inertia and upweight?

[@CharlieAlbrightPianist]

With headphones, it feels pretty good. I’m a concert pianist and regularly practice on this in addition to my Steinway.

[@flappybird315]

@@CharlieAlbrightPianist Thanks for the reply. I have heard digital actions have high upweights and are hard to hold down compared to Acoustics which makes long practice tiring. Is that true?

[@CharlieAlbrightPianist]

I haven't noticed that with this one,@@flappybird315 :)

[@Danny_Martino]

Hi. Many thanks for review. I am strugling between buying ‌YAMAHA YDP-165 and clp 735 for my begginer kid. Do you think it is worth to spend extra $$$ at this moment? Best👍✋

[@CharlieAlbrightPianist]

I'm not familiar with the YDPs, but I think they're cheaper/lower-end? Might be best to go in to a store and try them both out...and see which you like! Thank you for your comment, @dannymartino6048! 😄

[@Danny_Martino]

@@CharlieAlbrightPianist Thank you for advice. All the best and please keep playing👌👍✋

[@CharlieAlbrightPianist]

Thank you,@@Danny_Martino !

[@sebastianFagerArias]

You are The Doug demuro of pianos?

[@CharlieAlbrightPianist]

For this video, most definitely. 🤣 Be sure to sub for more, and thanks for your support! 😄

[@raquel4474]

Hi! On the pedal action….How do the pedals feel after a few months? Any squeaking? Does it feel easy to push down or does it take more effort?

[@CharlieAlbrightPianist]

They still feel pretty good on mine. No squeaking that I've noticed, and the pushing-down effort is about the same. Not sure if I've noticed a slight "click" feel in one or not, but overall, they seem pretty good! 😄

[@CharlieAlbrightPianist]

Be sure to sub (if you haven't already) for more! Thanks for your support! 😄

[@semisweet0219]

Does the hardness of touch really matter? I play with soft 2 to play with more swiftness and agility. What do you prefer? Just default middle?

[@CharlieAlbrightPianist]

I think mine is set to whatever the default is. Many real pianos, however, are harder than digital pianos, in terms of how hard it is to push the keys down.

[@semisweet0219]

@@CharlieAlbrightPianist I see, by the way will it be most closest to real piano to set touch to fixed?

[@CharlieAlbrightPianist]

@@semisweet0219No, fixed I think is when the piano plays at the exact same "loudness" no matter how hard/softly you play. The "fixed" is probably the least like a real piano.

[@semisweet0219]

@@CharlieAlbrightPianist wow... didn't know that. That's why no matter how hard I hit the note it sounds same. Thanks!

[@alicecao8524]

Hi, thank you for your video. A question for you: do you find the sound/tone of the piano different between the speakers and the headphones? I wonder if there's any problem with my piano or not since the sound through my headphones feels lower in volume relatively, and the tone is a bit different. Thank you!

[@CharlieAlbrightPianist]

The built-in speakers on the 735 (and I assume probably on most digital pianos) are way worse than a good pair of headphones (I use the Bose QuietComfort 35s, I think). I don't notice too much difference between the speaker and headphone volume/tone, but you might try doing a factory reset on the digital piano (it's in the menu somewhere). Also, check to make sure the piano settings (i.e. brightness, key touch, etc.) aren't being automatically changed when you plug in or unplug headphones (mine doesn't seem to switch, but maybe yours is memorizing two sets of settings (one for headphones and one for built-in speakers)? (I think mine does remember settings differences between instruments.) Thanks for your support, @alicecao8524! Please be sure to subscribe for more videos! 😄

[@alicecao8524]

@@CharlieAlbrightPianist Thank you so much for the recommendations, I'll look into these!

[@pianistic_passport]

Hi!! Is it “Satin Black” or “Polished Ebony”?

[@CharlieAlbrightPianist]

Satin black, I think. (It’s matte, not shiny) 😄

[@SoniListon-lu4cn]

This might be a stupid question, but: can you practice scales and other technique stuff on this keybord?

[@CharlieAlbrightPianist]

I think so! The old Roland I had is what I worked 99% of the time learning the Rachmaninoff Paganini Variations on. This one seems to have a pretty great action.

[@SoniListon-lu4cn]

@@CharlieAlbrightPianist Thank you very much!

[@CharlieAlbrightPianist]

No prob@@SoniListon-lu4cn ! Be sure to sub for more, and thank you for your support! :)

[@joshuatorres1042]

I have been having problema with the C3 and C2 keys, they are louder than the others keys :( Is it a problem only in my piano? :((((

[@CharlieAlbrightPianist]

It’s possible the rubber sensors have an issue. I had a key that would rarely (maybe every 10-20th time I played it) suddenly come out loudly. I took it apart and found that that key’s rubber contact thing was folded over on itself. I managed to get it popped back the right way and it was fixed! 😀

[@joshuatorres1042]

@@CharlieAlbrightPianist thank you very much. I'll try to do that

[@ghostreborn_]

I have a question, can we actually use headphones on the USB one ?

[@CharlieAlbrightPianist]

That's a good question I don't know the answer to...I don't have a set of USB headphones to try it out on. I know the USB port can work to hook it up to the computer to use as a midi input with software like Logic Pro, but not sure if it can play sound through the USB connection itself. Thanks for your support, and be sure to sub if you haven't already! 😄

[@pijoseb]

Charlie DeMuro

[@CharlieAlbrightPianist]

Love @dougdemuro’s vids! Since back in the “unlimited bumper-to-bumper Land Rover warranty” days 🤣