Yamaha NP15 - comparison with NP12 Piaggero digital piano keyboard

[@DecPlayPiano]

I've done a detailed article on the best keyboards for beginners at decplay.com/best-piano-keyboard-for-beginners/ I've also published a free video lesson at decplay.com/FREE showing the unique DecPlay method (as featured on BBC) - to help adults / seniors learn songs on piano quickly and easily - without reading music notation. hope this helps :) cheers Declan

[@Not2CoolJazz]

Now that the NP 15/35 have been officially released, the cost difference between them and the NP 12/32 in the US is not that much. The NP 15 is only $30 more than the NP 12. In addition, for those of us playing jazz/pop music, the biggest limitation of the prior models was the lack of a jazz organ and Wurlitzer e-piano sounds. The 5 new sounds of the NP 15/35 include these, plus two additional pads and a third piano sound. This makes the Piaggero much more useful on jazz/pop gigs where equipment portability is a high priority. For me, the NP15 upgrade was well worth it.

[@DecPlayPiano]

yes - now the NP15 has reduced in price and the NP12 isn't available - the NP15 is now my favourite

[@aktempland]

Audio interface two way is a massive plus !Prices change all the time. And now prolly same.

[@DecPlayPiano]

Yes agreed - now the price is similar - the NP15 is my favourite

[@MrLibardoq]

Hello, thank you the review, I love the sounds of this piano. Which one do you recommend me? I want to practice at home and learn gospel music. Do I need the 76 key piano or the 61 key will be enough? Thank you

[@DecPlayPiano]

As it very hard to get NP12 any longer, the NP15 is a great alternative and 61 keys is enough for many people - although if your budget stretches to a NP35, then you may prefer the 76 key option.

[@14000091]

Declan, as you don’t really use much on your favourite models by your own admission, the smart pianist and rec share compatibility are a big step up, the price in the uk for the P-35 this week is £235 inc vat. Not worth an upgrade but certainly worth it as a new purchase.

[@DecPlayPiano]

£235 for P35 is a great price

[@Hild1]

The sounds of the NP-12 are really good. Additionaly to the pianos, the 2 organs and harpsichords sound amazing, definitely better than on our Celviano.

[@susancalvert2112]

I was wanting a portable keyboard and bought A keyboard from my Church which is sadly closing. It’s a Casio with multiple sounds and very complicated so I’m not going to keep it. Declan you’ve sold me on the YamahaPiaggero range. Price is reasonable too, thanks

[@mikecronin3464]

Thanks Declan, as ever a very sensible, balanced review, and top advice!

[@DecPlayPiano]

Thanks Mike

[@mariesherpa]

Thanks Declan, that's a really useful comparison from someone we can trust ☺️

[@DecPlayPiano]

thanks :)

[@iangardner465]

I have an NP12. I find it's just the job for starting to learn the piano.. definitely agree with Declan's thoughts.

[@DecPlayPiano]

Thanks for your feedback :)

[@85yuv]

Hi ! My daughter is 5 , just started learning piano. Which models would you recommend to explore for beginners? Of her age.. i was thinking of NP-12. Is that good ? Any other options ?

[@DecPlayPiano]

The NP12 or NP15 are great or you could try the Yamaha PSR or E series keyboards which have lots of extra sounds and instruments/rhythms that can be fun for children to explore

[@_n_d_]

Great video. I'm a 48 year old who wants to learn piano/keyboard and I have zero musical experience. Firstly, am I better off buying a 61 key or 76, or 88 key piano? Secondly, is it a waste for a beginner to bother with something like the Yamaha PSRE-473 with all the extras that it has, and should I instead stick with something like the NP15 or the Yamaha P145 or Roland FP10? I'm not too bothered by price. I just want to get the one that suits a beginner the most and am happy to pay extra for that.

[@DecPlayPiano]

great question - all those options like are fine for a beginner. You don't need more than 61 keys initially but if budget is no problem, then buying a 76 or 88 key keyboard will future proof you for when you play advanced styles. 'Digital pianos' like the NP range are designed to mimic real pianos, whereas 'home keyboards' are designed to provide accompaniment to your playing, sounding more like a full band. The Yamaha PSR and E ranges of 'home keyboards' eg the E373 or E473 include extra features such as rhythms, lots of instrument sounds (as well as piano), single finger chords, auto accompaniment etc.... In my opinion the piano sounds are better on the NP range, but the E373 and E473 still have quite good piano sounds. I personally use the NP range instead of the E range because I don't need the extra sounds and accompaniment features of the E range and I prefer the smaller size and 'piano' type look of the NP range (without lots of buttons). The larger keyboards and weighted keys of Yamaha P145 or Roland FP10 / FP50 are great if your budget allows. I've done a detailed article on this at decplay.com/best-piano-keyboard-for-beginners/ - hope this helps. cheers Declan

[@_n_d_]

@@DecPlayPiano Thanks for the reply. Yes I agree about the look of the NP range and similar without the extra buttons of the E473. I think it's between the Yamaha P145 or Roland FP10 as I was leaning towards an 88 key piano anyway, but I'll check out the article as well. Thanks again.

[@DecPlayPiano]

@@_n_d_ they are all great keyboards for the money. I have a Roland FP50 which is good. The volume control is slightly annoying but otherwise I like the feel a bit more than the Yamaha P145 - but they're all great really 😀

[@_n_d_]

@@DecPlayPiano I just watched another great video about the Roland FP10 and it has convinced me to buy that. It's currently $689 in Australia but I've only looked at one store so far. I'll shop around. I just need to find a sustain pedal for the FP10 if they are available.

[@DecPlayPiano]

@@_n_d_ cool - I assume any standard sustain pedal should work with the FP10

[@douglasw.7864]

I own the Yamaha NP-32. It replaced my Yamaha P-45 due to arthritis issues in my thumbs. I like the graded soft touch action of the NP series. I also own a Casio CT-S1. If Casio ever offers that in a 76 or 88 key version, it would be a huge seller for them. I doubt this will happen, since it would compete with sales of their other digital pianos.

[@DecPlayPiano]

Thanks for the feedback - did you find the semiweighted keyboard easier to play with arthritis, compared to the fully weighted keyboard?

[@douglasw.7864]

@@DecPlayPiano The lighter action of the NP-32 is much easier for me to play. It reduces my discomfort considerably.

[@DecPlayPiano]

@@douglasw.7864 thanks - that's very useful info - I will share this with my students :)

[@d0nj03]

Fast-forward to 2024 and there's now a CT-S1 76-key. 😁

[@douglasw.7864]

@@d0nj03 I’ve since replaced the NP-32 with a Casio CDP S360.

[@PetCar-k2y]

Most helpful, sound advice, thanks Declan.

[@DecPlayPiano]

Thanks for the feedback :)

[@_RabbitLeader]

Do they work with piano learning apps?

[@DecPlayPiano]

they should work with most - if not all piano learning apps. They also have a midi socket so can connect to computers / ipads etc...

[@AndrewRance-y3c]

I have an NP12 (also owned an NP11), but replaced it with a Casio CT-S1. For the extra £20 or so, the Casio represents better value - has better piano sound, a nicer keyboard, better interfaces and a much larger range of sounds. Looks better, too, and is more compact than the Yamaha.

[@DecPlayPiano]

thanks for the feedback - I will check out the Casio CT-S1 and include it in my blog. :)

[@LezamaDamian]

​​@DecPlayPiano Roland go keys 3 eats both for lunch 😂 The Roland go piano is stuck in the previous generation, maybe they renew it soon, but I don't find it as interesting as the go keys anyway.

[@DecPlayPiano]

@@LezamaDamian the GoKeys 3 is great if you want more than just piano sounds and don't mind the modern look and extra price compared to NP15

[@aktempland]

Hi Declan, is the Grand Piano sounds of the NP15 absolutely identical to the NP12?

[@DecPlayPiano]

Sorry - I’m not sure

[@aktempland]

@@DecPlayPiano Ok. Thank you for the reply! Ordered the NP15 anyways. Price is same as NP12 here. USB for audio recording might be useful. Def. would have liked stronger speakers than NP12 though, as you mentioned ...

[@mikhailvetiso662]

I think Np-15 has little louder speakers

[@GR8UKGB]

In theory is the powers is the same but the speakers are larger then it’s ability to deal with more sound types coming into the same speaker is better.

[@GR8UKGB]

In theory is the powers is the same but the speakers are larger then it’s ability to deal with more sound types coming into the same speaker is better.

[@Itsruffyouknow]

They can be used as a MIDI controller?

[@SuperExadidas]

Thank you....great info.

[@lizpickard6459]

Very interesting-thanks for the advice

[@DecPlayPiano]

:)

[@ayrtoninchejanampa6874]

Eso es lo que llamo un refrito...un claro ejemplo los nuevos Arius YDP... y mas en la serie piaggero que ni si quiera trae un pedal sustain, por lo cual hay que comprarlo a parte

[@ItsJuuj97]

The np12 is no longer available😢

[@DecPlayPiano]

yes but the NP15 price has now dropped so not all bad :)

[@JudithVanDenDool]

So sad np12 in white is not there. But I am 100% sure took it out because it was too cheap and popular. In India it’s out of stock.

[@derbjornmachtdiemusik23]

also… YAMAHA still seems to use the pretty shitty strings sound from what… 1991 or so!

[@robertohernandezbruno1717]

The sound np 15 is better than NP 12