Yamaha Digital Piano vs Clavinova Guide

In the market for a digital piano? Not sure if you should opt for a standard model or upgrade to the Clavinova collection from Yamaha? We’re here to help. A good digital piano should last a long time, so you want to be confident that you’re choosing something that will support your current levels of ambition, while also paving the way for more complex performances.

Choosing between a standard Yamaha Digital Piano and a digital piano from the Clavinova collection will often come down to a matter of budget, and how attached you are to a premium feel. Read on to learn more about the Clavinova range and how it stands out in a crowded market.

Understanding the Yamaha line up

If you’re in the market for a Yamaha digital piano, you’ll have a wide range of instruments to choose from. The standard range includes models like the P-Series and the Arius digital piano. These portable console designs sit firmly in the entry-to-mid level, offering authentic piano tones and hammer action keys on a budget.

The Clavinova Series offers a premium instrument, designed to replicate the sound and feel of a concert grand. These advanced models include features like Virtual Resonance Modeling and binaural sampling to help virtually place you in a much grander space.

Within the Clavinova collection, there are three distinct sub-families:

• CLP Series, offering a traditional focus and the closest sound to an acoustic piano

• CSP Series, that prioritises guided learning features from the Smart-pianist app

• CVP Series, with versatile entertainment options, including hundreds of backing styles

Key differences: Standard Vs Clavinova

Some of the key differences between these models include the key action, the sound engine and the cabinet. In general, the standard Yamaha digital pianos offer a budget feel, while the Clavinova is more grand and refined.

Key action differences

The standard Yamaha models will typically offer synthetic graded hammer keys, which offer weight and response, but lack the refinement of a real acoustic piano. The Clavinova collection features real wood keys with GrandTouch technology with escapement to replicate the real feel of grand piano inertia.

Sound engine differences

The tagline for the Clavinova collection is “digital never felt so grand”, and it’s easy to see why. The Clavinova features multui-channel sampling of world-class concert grands, so you can lose yourself in the music anywhere. This is paired with the heavy internal speakers that deliver premium quality sound.

Cabinet and built differences

The final difference between these collections is the quality of the build. Standard Yamaha digital pianos are lighter and more compact, perfect for fitting into smaller living spaces. The Clavinova offers a heavy cabinet with stunning polished or matte finishes. This is designed to replicate the furniture-grade style of an upright or baby grand.

How to choose the right one for you

When budget isn’t an issue, it makes sense to spring for the premium Clavinova, no matter where you are in your playing journey. The key action alone is enough to make the additional spend worthwhile, and when paired with the concert hall sound sampling, it can make the most novice player feel more accomplished.

For those looking for the sound of an authentic acoustic in a compact package, the standard Yamaha range is sure to tick all of the boxes. This option is ideal for education settings, where the needs for silent practice need to be balanced alongside occasional performance.

Another solid option for an aspiring pianist would be the Clavinova CSP or CVP series, which offer light up keys to help teach hand placement alongside the Smart Pianist app.