Yamaha DGX-670 Finger Modes

[@lifesabeach8133]

Just got my DGX670 all set up today and as a new learner I'm feeling slightly overwhelmed. You are my lifeline right now.

[@PianoTone]

Hey congrats! And don't get overwhelmed; I know the DGX has a lot going on, but just take your time and have fun playing. If you're looking for any online courses I have a few reviews you can check out on courses that I took that worked great for me: kzbin.info/aero/PL_W0EMCT9oNb7OQ7TiB0WHZv7K4k1bScA Thanks for checking out the channel, feel free to subscribe.

[@CherryChauParis]

You are definitely the BEST !!!! I have the DXG 670 for a year now and I have been really frustrated for not being able to use it more than just a plain piano!!! Now that I found your video; I am going to make the most out of it! Your tutorial serie is the best Christmas present!!!! Thank you so very much!!!

[@PianoTone]

Thanks so much for the kind words, I'm happy you're finding the videos helpful! And thanks for checking out the channel, feel free to subscribe (if you haven't already ;)

[@tomlavelle8340]

You are the visual and auditory encyclopedia of the wonderful possibilities of the DGX670. I’ve been looking for this for so long! Thanks!!!😁

[@PianoTone]

Thanks so much!

[@ebolds4918]

This tutorial was very helpful. I have a DGX-670 and was unsure of the distinctions between the various fingering options. I appreciate you going through the manual to learn the specifics and then distilling this information into this instructional video 👍🏽🎹

[@PianoTone]

Thanks so much glad you enjoyed the video. Thanks for checking out the channel feel free to subscribe

[@egerm100]

I am about to buy this piano and your tutorial is very helpful in making the decision as it goes so in depth . I thank you.

[@PianoTone]

Glad you found the video helpful - thanks for checking out the channel, feel free to subscribe

[@-Cyrano]

@egerm100 Same means to me! Meanwhile I am sure not to buy the Roland FP-E50 even it is a bit lighter and better in use on stage. The opportunities over all on the DGX are lightyears away from it…;) Maybe in the future I may add a VOX Continental 73 for aditional stage things…;)

[@PianoTone]

@@-Cyrano Thanks for checking out the channel, feel free to subscribe

[@Munneke1962]

Thanks so much! You are, by far, the best DGX teacher🫡🫡🫡😍😍

[@PianoTone]

Thanks very much! And thanks for checking out the channel, feel free to subscribe

[@KountryCuz1]

Thanks for the Lessons I Love them You Have A Great Week !!!!!!!!!

[@PianoTone]

Thanks & you too!

[@CircleofFifth]

Hi from Edinburgh Tony, Thanks so much for these videos. I'm an intermediate level player who likes playing jazz standards (mainly). I've had my DGX-670 for a few months and usually play it as a straight 'piano' with some backing tracks from iReal Pro. I'd never manage to learn much from dry paper manuals, so your videos are priceless to me. I look forward to following your playlists as it develops. Keep it up and best wishes! Derek.

[@PianoTone]

Thanks so much glad you're finding the videos helpful! If you're a jazz player, you should set your fingered mode to "AI Full Keyboard" and try out some of the "session" styles in the Jazz style section - these styles will play more complex "jazzy" accompaniment chords. Thanks again for the kind words and have an awesome day!

[@vanessapalmer9714]

Thank you for this video. You have helped me a great deal in understanding the finger modes on the DGX670.

[@PianoTone]

Thanks glad you found the review helpful! And thanks for checking out the channel, feel free to subscribe.

[@robertsaunders7179]

Thank you so much for producing this very informative tutorial on the myriad of fingering modes available on the DGX670 and your in depth explanations of the pro's and con's associated with each one of them. I am learning so much about the DGX670 that I was not aware of just by watching your terrific instructional videos and look forward to your next one with great anticipation.

[@PianoTone]

Hey thanks so much! Glad you're finding these videos useful, and thanks again for the comments it's very appreciated!

[@robertsaunders7179]

Tony, I now have my keyboard Chord Detection Area set to Lower and my keyboard Split for Style B0 and Left B2 using Multi Finger Mode and the Style ClassicPianoBallad along with a Main Voice of CFX Grand and I get all my proper Chord changes for my song "Love Me Tender" which is great. Now, if I turn off my Main CFX Grand voice and instead use my Soundpaint VST Plugin 1928 Steinway as my piano voice when I play the Style the Chord changes sound terrible like a droning sound is being introduced into the playback of the Style. I have my MIDI set to KBD & STYLE currently but have tried other MIDI settings but the droning sounds still persist so I am hoping that you might be able to shed some light as to what settings I may have incorrectly set that may be causing this?

[@TheMg49]

Interesting and informative tutorial. Thumbs up!

[@PianoTone]

Thanks Thomas!

[@craigtobias3609]

Greetings from South Africa 🇿🇦 much appreciated

[@PianoTone]

Thanks for checking out the channel, feel free to subscribe

[@ulse8833]

Thanks for yet another great instruction video

[@PianoTone]

Thanks so much glad you enjoyed the video!

[@ron-almog]

I own the DGX 670 and love the full keyboard mode. because the thing is very heavy, I'm considering buying the PSR-EW425 for small gigs. Does it have something similar? or I'll have to change my playing style? in all demos I only see left hand accompaniment.

[@PianoTone]

Just saw your other comment; no full keyboard detection on the 425 which is a shame. Can you get away with just drums or pre recorded backing tracks for gigs? Thanks again

[@robik1980]

Thank You for your wonderful videos. We would be lost without them :) I wanted to ask if there is a faster way (like one key to press) method to switch between Fingered and Full Keyboard style. It looks kind of slow to go into all this menus to change the type you want. Thank You!

[@PianoTone]

Thanks so much! Only way I could think of doing that would be to save each one in a different registration bank (the chord fingering mode gets saved and recalled with everything else; voice, style etc) Thanks for the kind words and for checking out the channel

[@seiferalmasy157]

great guide! Do you also tweak the CFX grand sound to make it even better? I’m sure you’ve experimented with it 😀 Would like to know what everyone’s settings are. I don’t know much about tone editing, but I particularly like the CFX grand sound with the settings below: Mixer button > Effect tab > Reverb set to “Piano Hall” (piano hall seems to enhance the tone of all piano-related voices and is my go-to reverb effect) Damper resonance = 4 String resonance = 4 Reverb = 25 Chorus = 5 My top fave voices are the CFX Grand and the Ambient Piano (if the P515 has the CFX and Bosendorfer, then i think that the DGX has the CFX and Ambient Piano to answer that). I tend to turn off the delayed echo effect on the ambient piano voice, it makes it sound really beautiful for those slow classical pieces as well as slow contemporary songs. Though i’m starting to like playing around with the orchestral harp voice as well 😂

[@PianoTone]

To be honest I haven't tried any voice editing so far (still so many voices to investigate!) - so far I find myself leaning towards the CFX Grand most of the time, and sometimes the Pop Grand and sometimes the Rock piano (for brighter faster stuff). I might need to try the harp layered with the piano on some ballad songs. Thanks for checking out the channel, feel free to subscribe

[@captwillj.1168]

Tony, Thanks for such an in-depth, but easy to follow tutorial on the DGX-670. I'm a senior (79 today) and looking for an arranger keyboard that has the fingering choices of the DGX, in sonething more like the PSR or PSR-E series arrangers. I have been playing chromatic harmonica for 60 years, but play by ear. I do not sight-read music. I probably can learn some chords, but want to just play for my own enjoyment for the time I have left. That being said, are you aware of any arranger keyboards that have more than just fingered chord or smart chord selections? Thank you again for all of your remarkable videos.

[@PianoTone]

Yes I do know a couple - I just reviewed the Roland GO:Keys 5 (kzbin.info/www/bejne/fp2xnptqqpakfpIsi=Wgsx38JJIKOGs_4E); it's light and portable, but the keys are not fully weighted like a piano; they're piano shaped and do offer more resistance than a synth action board like the Yamaha PSR's. I also reviewed a fully weighted 88 key piano also from Roland, the FP-E50 (kzbin.info/www/bejne/qGOsamppec6BqaMsi=aEIbsU2VbF3PZxQg) that also has these options only it has fully weighted & graded hammer action keys. Note that both of these also have a super cool chord sequence feature where you can input a chord chart for a progression or even an entire song, and then have the keyboard play that back using any of the built in styles (so you don't have to finger the chords, it frees up both your hands). Hope that helps! Thanks for checking out the channel, feel free to subscribe

[@nine96six]

This is so useful video

[@PianoTone]

Thanks for checking out the channel feel free to subscribe

[@THEL0NEARRANGER]

Great demo. I will stick with the Single finger mode. I bend the guitar notes when playing the pedal steel and guitars. Can you save the Smart Chord feature TYPE into a registration? If not, I can't see being able to use it at a live gig, as it would take to long switching back and forth.

[@PianoTone]

Thanks! And yes you can (just tested it)

[@johnbrewer9541]

Nobody would play piano on full keyboard the way you demonstrated

[@PianoTone]

The demo for full keyboard mode is to demonstrate how this mode identifies chords regardless of where the keys are played on the piano, as long as they are played at the same time, and the AI full keyboard does an improved job of detecting/guessing at the chords you are playing regardless of whether you are keying enough notes of the chord at the same time for the piano to detect the chord or not, so it is a step up on the normal full keyboard mode. If you're accustomed to playing a piano across the full range of keys and want to hear what both of your hands are playing (as opposed to an arranger keyboard where you finger chords in the left hand without your left hand notes actually being heard), then this demo shows how full keyboard is a far better choice for a piano player (and AI full keyboard is even better still). It's not perfect, but for a piano player that wants to play on an arranger, it's a massive improvement on fingered modes. Thanks for checking out the channel.

[@user-hz5yb4bh5v]

Why not?

[@geoffboyd2895]

Great video, I'm also a purely piano player, generally octaves in left hand(matching root note) of right hand chords, is there a setting that work well for that style in ur opinion?

[@PianoTone]

That's exactly how I play (octaves left hand). Either full keyboard or AI full keyboard works beautifully. If chord changes are timed such that you only have your left hand playing, you'll get a power chord (1 & 5, neither maj/min) until a more complex chord from your right hand gets detected. Thanks for checking out the channel, feel free to subscribe.

[@geoffboyd2895]

Ah perfect wasn't exactly sure as I've only ever used a piano/digital piano and been eying up a dgx mainly to have some fun/one man band type play, I'm down to this or the roland fp e50, uve tried both, for fun/one man band which out of the two would u say is the best? I'm happy with either on the action side, my question is more on features/sounds/speakers etc, will never leave my house either

[@PianoTone]

@@geoffboyd2895 That's tough they're both awesome. If you're ok with either action, then I think each one has one main advantage over the other: DGX: onboard sequencer for doing multi track recordings (if you're into this, it's awesome) FPE50: Chord sequencer; this is an amazing feature where you can input an entire song of chords if you want, then choose a style and it plays it back for you (so you don't have to play it as "an arranger"); it's like a backing track generator If it was me (and I could live with Roland's action; I personally find it too heavy for me) I would probably get the Roland just for this feature, but it depends what's important to you. The DGX probably has nicer sounding speakers too because the case is so big and heavy it adds some bass and warmth. Hope that helps! (They're both awesome choices though)

[@geoffboyd2895]

Ah really appreciate the answers, it's a very tough choice. As I'm so un techincal my main aim us to have a machine that autos the accompanying track and basically does all that stuff for me,y digital is a old p255 quite heavy keys, not many sounds but just a great piano, this new one is for the sounds and fun but without too much of a steep learning curve at my age lol! Basically hit a chord and a great track plays behind and then changes when I change, sorry for all the questions but it's a really specific and probably quite basic function I'm looking for, all the tech stuff will just not he used, I don't even record anything or use a tablet for tracks 😂

[@PianoTone]

@@geoffboyd2895 With everything you've said? I would recommend the DGX, especially if you're not going to use the Roland's chord sequencer or move the piano much. The speakers are nicer, the screen and user interface is nicer as well, and personally I prefer the Yamaha sounds (that's a personal preference though)

[@JoeLinux2000]

I have a DGX-670 and have always been confused by it. Presently I just use it as a traditional grand piano with no automation. I combine the internal voices of the DGX with Pianoteq Pro and the resulting tone quality of the two voices sounding simultaneously is extremely good. This is only possible because there is no perceptible latency between the two voices. The biggest disappointment I have had with the DGX is that I have never been able to get the String voices to sustain with the sustain pedal in the same was as they do with a key press.

[@PianoTone]

Yes the latency is very minimal (if there at all) when connecting with the built in audio interface. As far as the sustain on strings patches, I've never noticed that myself, but you should be able to modify the sustain time in settings somewhere.

[@JoeLinux2000]

@@PianoTone I've looked and looked, but can't figure out how to make the strings and other similar voices that should sustain with the pedal actually sustain. My definition of sustain is a note that sustains with a key press should sustain with the pedal. In other words there should be no difference in the behavior.

[@PianoTone]

@@JoeLinux2000 I think by default the sustain time on strings is set to lower or none on purpose (since a string instrument has no sustain pedal); a lot of cheap pianos (and some not cheap) have too much sustain applied to strings and when you layer strings over piano, the strings sustain so much they overpower the piano sound - that's probably why Yamaha does this (Casio always has strings that I found too loud and sustain too long)

[@JoeLinux2000]

@@PianoTone If a voice sustains with a key press, it should sustain with the pedal. Orchestral stings do sustain in real life. Roland's Juper JX-10 had some of the very best analog strings; and trust me, they do sustain with the pedal. In the case of the DGX the strings are very unnatural unless you finger the keys. In the case of earlier Casios the basic string tone was never much good - just a harsh saw tooth wave. I don't know about the newer ones. For really good string effects you need cross velocity fading. Here is an example of good synth strings: kzbin.info/www/bejne/pmKnlZugjLifadE You will notice his strings do sustain with the pedal. Please don't argue about what are good synth strings. If you know how to get the DGX to sustain the strings with the pedal, just pass the information on. The fundamental timbre of the DGX strings is very good. The issue is with the lack of pedal control.

[@PianoTone]

@@JoeLinux2000 Oh not trying to argue at all sorry if I gave you that impression! If I can figure anything out I'll let you know!

[@alphabeta8403]

30:45 Overall thoughts

[@PianoTone]

Thanks for checking out the channel, feel free to subscribe

[@winterheat]

Number 1

[@athanasiosdovas1419]

is it hammer weighted as a real piano or electric yamaha pianos ? has a good touch sensivity ?

[@PianoTone]

It has Yamaha's GHS graded hammer action, with options to adjust the touch sensitivity levels. This is a dual sensor action (it's my favorite piano action), and is a little on the "light" side. Action is a personal preference, some people love this action, others do not and prefer a heavier action like the Roland PHA4 (which I'm not a fan of). Thanks for checking out the channel, feel free to subscribe

[@realstreetuk]

Hi does the Roland FP E50 have the equivalent to the ai full keyboard that this dgx-670 has? Thanks

[@PianoTone]

Not EXACTLY but it has some cool similar modes; first off, other than the "easy" mode, you ALWAYS hear your left hand which is a nice feature. Then there is "intelligent" mode which guesses at your chords with less than 3 notes (but only below the split point) then there are 2 "pianist" modes which use the entire range of the keyboard for detecting chords; one of those also uses any sustained notes. I didn't have the FPE50 rented long enough to really test all those thoroughly, but I would probably use one of those "pianist" modes if I owned one. Thanks for checking out the channel, feel free to subscribe

[@realstreetuk]

@PianoTone thanks for info. I would like to play like a Pianist and let the backing guess the right chords as the ai full keyboard mode. So sorry for lack of knowledge. Which keyboard would you recommend? Because if I purchase the Roland and then it wouldn't perform as the ai full keyboard mode then I would not want it

[@PianoTone]

@@realstreetuk I think the DGX will be a better choice for that; the full keyboard modes in the FP-E50 require at least 3 notes for detecting a chord (the option that includes the sustained note might be a close substitute but without having tested it I think the DGX is a safer option). Here is my full description on the FP-E50 from my website: Standard will only detect notes played below the split point, so in your left hand; see how if I play a full chord in my right hand, nothing is detected; most arranger keyboards will work similarly to this mode, except you wouldn’t be hearing what you play in your left hand; and you will only get a “full chord” recognized if you play 3 notes (example: if you play just C&G you will get a “C (3)” chord (“C with no 3rd”) Intelligent is the same as standard except when you play less than a full chord in your left hand it will guess at a chord for you, so if I play C-G it will give me a C Major Easy: This is only available in split mode, and this is the only mode where you don’t hear what your left hand is playing. And this is one of the modes I really dislike on any arranger keyboard where you have 2 key shortcuts to trigger types of chords where the keys actually have nothing to do with the actual notes in the chord (to me this is just training you in some bad habits - it’s much better to actually LEARN how to properly finger chords). Whatever the right most note is that you play will be your root note. So for example a C note alone gives you a C major chord, that’s fine - but for a C minor, you also press any black key to the left of your C; for a 7th chord, you press any white key to the left of your root note. Pianist: chords are detected from the entire range of the keyboard, but only if you play at least 3 keys Pianist2 is an interesting option; it works the same as pianist but will also include any notes that are still sustaining in determining what chord is being played

[@realstreetuk]

Thanks for detailed explanation 👍

[@MrJsfingers]

Is there an alternative board with very similar specs for playing out? 47 lbs is quite heavy.

[@PianoTone]

Roland FP-E50 would be the closest (FP-E50 Preview kzbin.info/www/bejne/e329lH6YpZutnZY); Casio PX-S3100 also has arranger features and is super portable (even runs on batteries) but the arranger features pale in comparison to the Yamaha

[@gouthaml895]

Hi How to use articulation effect Does it require 3 pedals? When i select superarticulation voice and select [6]..it says voice to be played in legato Now sure how to use

[@PianoTone]

Some articulation effects can be triggered by how you hit the keys; legato is like a see saw from one note to the next (hold down first note then let go at the same time as you play the next one; search on KZbin you will find many examples). If you have the triple pedal unit you can use it instead to trigger the articulation- and some articulation effects require the triple pedal unit Hope that helps! Thanks for checking out the channel feel free to subscribe

[@Yuliana_lisova]

I can’t figure out how to from Split point screen go to Chord fingering 😢

[@winterheat]

is Tony an instructor or professor before? Tony looks like the computer science instructor back in my college and also a bit like my physics instructor

[@PianoTone]

Lol not a math person so no :)

[@michaelalberson126]

This video really helped me to better understand the finger chord and chord styles on the DGX 670. Thank you for this and I am like you I am a pianist and also and organist and I am really excited about this instrument and all that it has to offer. It seems almost limitless and the sounds and rhythms for the $$ P R I C E $$ are amazing bargain as no other 88 keys 🎹 keyboard 🎹 of any of the other brands come close to it for the 💥💥💨B A N G💨💥💥 for the $$ B U C K $$. I have a KORG X-2 vintage 1994 that I bought new in early 1995 and it recently went dead on me so I get it back from the repair shop shortly and it was the memory battery 🔋 that had finally died🪫and the 3-1/2 inch floppy disc drive had died several years ago. However it was replaced with a SSD DRIVE and some keybed and button work it should be back in great shape. It has lots of sounds that are still quite useable still especially guitars 🎸 and strings 🎻🎻🎻and very C😎😎L special effects sounds. So I should be able to put together some awesome multitrack songs between it and the KORG. I also have a Alesis HR-16 drum machine that is really a great drum machine and will probably use it in some cases. Again thanks for the awesome video support very much appreciated.

[@PianoTone]

Thanks so much, glad you found the video helpful! And thanks for checking out the channel, feel free to subscribe

[@francescoesposito100]

SCUSA SONO ALLE PRIME ARMI CONOSCO TUTTI GLI ACCORDI E LE SCALE PER FINGERED QUALE MI CONSIGLI PER QCCOMPAGNARE UN BRANO E CANTARLO PURE GRAZIE PER LA RISPOSTA

[@PianoTone]

If you're asking what fingering mode works best with accompanying yourself singing? Whichever mode you are best at/most used to using would be my recommendation. Thanks for checking out the channel, feel free to subscribe

[@fingerhorn4]

This is ok for absolute chord beginners, but you avoid extended chords: 7ths, 9ths, 13ths, 11ths and so on, citing these as "advanced jazz player chords". Well they are hardly advanced or expert. Actually they are quite basic and just involve mainly building chords in successive thirds at their most rudimentary. So anyone wanting info about more than the most basic finger mode options is not really addressed. The DG660 was quite poor at recognising complex chords, particularly in non root position (slash chords with a 7th, 9th, 11th, 13th) but I am now not sure whether the DG670 is any improvement.

[@PianoTone]

Thanks for checking out the channel.

[@fingerhorn4]

@@PianoTone I should say that I really appreciate your general guides to the DGX670. They are by far the most comprehensive and well explained on KZbin, so thank you.

[@PianoTone]

@@fingerhorn4 Thanks so much, very appreciated!

[@francescoesposito100]

CONVIENE FULL KEYBOARD COSI LE TRIADI VANNO SIA CON LA MANO SINISTRA CHE LA DESTRA

[@francescoesposito100]

QUINDI COME SPIEGHI CONVIENE FINGERED E AL FINGERED SI

[@delysmurphy8103]

Confusing i feel i wasted my money on this machine

[@PianoTone]

It can be overwhelming at times for sure; when I feel that way I just stop investigating the hundreds of features and just play piano or electric piano. Thanks for checking out the channel, feel free to subscribe

[@1950harleycharley]

Don’t feel like that! It is one of the best pianos I’ve played! I’ve played several dozen, and this piano is way better! Don’t think you’re a failure because you can’t do everything it can do! The instrument sounds are authentic! This piano can meet the requirements of many pianists, with each one having the ability to do their thing!

[@johnbrewer9541]

Sorry far to much talking and you are deliberately trying to make it stall. Also if your playing arrangers you don't need to be that busy. Let it play

[@PianoTone]

Thanks for checking out the channel