New York, NY (Top40 Charts) "A student's first keyboard is very important; it needs to provide a strong platform for learning the fundamentals, as well as for instilling the excitement and joy of playing music from the very first note," said Mark Anderson, Yamaha.
Yamaha today introduced the PSR-E353 and PSR-E253 portable keyboards, which offer beginners and aspiring musicians high quality Voice and
Style content, as well as robust feature sets that belie their entry-level price points, at the 2015 NAMM Show.
"A student's first keyboard is very important; it needs to provide a strong platform for learning the fundamentals, as well as for instilling the excitement and joy of playing music from the very first note," said Mark Anderson, director of marketing, Keyboard Division, Yamaha Corporation of America. "The PSR-E353 and PSR-E253 succeed on all counts. Add to this a very attractive value proposition and these models are tough to beat."
The critically acclaimed Yamaha Education Suite (Y.E.S.), featured in both models, uses the latest learning tools and technology to make studying and practicing more enjoyable and fulfilling than ever before. Y.E.S. puts the beginner musician in control of powerful learning tools, including more than 100 pre-set songs. These songs can be broken down into individual components, like pitch and rhythm, making them easier to master. For example, students can develop their technique by practicing with one hand while the keyboard simultaneously plays the other.
The comprehensive educational suite's "
Waiting" mode pauses song accompaniment until the keyboardist plays the correct notes indicated on the display. "Your Tempo" mode monitors playing and adjusts the tempo according to the student's accuracy. Finally, "Minus One" mode grades full performances at their conclusion so students can track their progress.
Both the PSR-E253 and the PSR-E353 feature 61 full-size keys that ease the student's transition to playing an acoustic piano or a more advanced digital keyboard as their skills develop. The PSR-E353's keys are also touch-sensitive—responding to how hard they are played—which adds dynamics to the player's performance. These models also offer Ultra-Wide
Stereo Effect, which simulates an extended, wide and dynamic sound field.
Duo Mode, available for the first time at the PSR-E253's price point, as well as on the PSR-E353, effectively divides the keyboard in half for duets and student/teacher playing. In this mode, the keyboards automatically adjust their playing ranges so that each half has a middle C. Recording features are available in both models, allowing performances to be captured for future playback.
The new Aux Line input on the PSR-E253 allows keyboardists to play along with their favorite recordings through the instrument's onboard speakers. This is also a great companion feature for Yamaha's NoteStar and other apps that require audio playback."
The PSR-E353 goes a step further. For playing along with favorite songs stored on connected portable devices, a new Pan Adjustment function has been added to the Aux Line input's
Melody Suppressor feature. This enables anyone to step into the shoes of their favorite performers and play songs with the accompaniment of the original recorded versions.
Offering USB connectivity to computers and mobile devices, The PSR-E353 gives players access to a world of creativity, entertainment and learning. By connecting to an iOS device using a Yamaha i-UX1 connector cable, this keyboard can be used to act as a controller and/or sound source with a variety of music creation applications, or interact with a variety of Yamaha's own apps.
In addition, the PSR-E353 has an Arpeggiator feature that generates rhythmic and melodic elements for performances by simply holding down keys.
Pricing and Availability
The PSR-E253 (MSRP: $169) will ship in May 2015. The PSR-E353 (MSRP: $269) will ship in April 2015.
For more information, visit the Yamaha Booth at the 2015 NAMM Show in the Anaheim Marriott Hotel, Marquis Ballroom, January 22-25, 2015 or https://4wrd.it/usayamaha.
