Home > Consumer Reviews > Yamaha PSR240 61-Note Touch-Sensitive Portable Electronic Keyboard

This keyboard is great, and my children have really enjoyed it since we bought it for christmas. it is easy for them to use and to play with.

one BIG downside : it doesn't come with a power adaptor, so when you receive it, you have to buy 6 batteries. It would be a lot better to have the power adaptor included in the package, this is a real nuisance to have to order again, and it is not clear in the description that it is not included

Yet another keyboard has entered the "home" keyboard territory, the Yamaha PSR-240. In keeping in tradition with other "home" keyboards, it offers more features than a children's toy but has no where near the amount of capabilities that a professional workstation has. In essence, it is a simple tool teaches the user how to play keyboard instruments, and it helps to familiarize him or her with the basic functions of the electronic keyboard. It includes the Yamaha Education Suite (YES), which is actually a quite effective educational package for teaching piano playing. It also has a stereo-sampled grand piano, which also has enormous quality and should be useful enough for basic piano playing. However, alas, even these virtues cannot differentiate this keyboard other (and often less costly) competitors. Like other keyboards in this price range, the voices except for the grand piano are harsh, unrealistic, and practically uneditable due to the lack of true effects. It even has the infamous unpractical, even-the-dog-can-play-it styles associated with "home" keyboards. However, most damaging keyboard's overall value is the fact that many other competing keyboards offer almost identical features for much less money. So, with this in mind, although the PSR-240 does a fair job in its own respects, there are much better, cheaper alternatives.

I am experienced with keyboards with over 4 years of learning about them and playing and magnifying every spec and feature one has to offer. This one ranks 3 stars. Why? This is not close to being a perfect keyboard. Then again, this isn't a horrible invention. At first when i pushed the red button, I felt that this had countless features and there was a lot of variety. That was until I played the keyboard for a week. I got tired of the unoriginal sounds. Some of the sounds are really cool to mess around with, but I wasn't thouroughly impressed. This is because it's cheaper than most other keyboards. And since my parents didnt think i was that experienced with the keyboards at that time, I had to get this one. It's not bad, but now I am begging for a new one. And it's been a year since I bought this one. Now I'm looking for a good Yamaha keyboard, the closest thing to a workstation. I would like 250+ voices, a mode where you can record songs you make or just a Dj-ing kit. I have found what I needed in stores, and might get one for my birthday. My advice is, for the good keyboardist/pianist, to go for the pricy instruments. If you have talent use the talent in an expensive one. Keyboards are different from guitars and drums. Guitars and drums can last a lifetime with different compositions. Keyboards are synthesized, and this keyboard especially wears out in the technical department. If you have a kid under 13 who is inexperienced with keyboards, this is a 5 star for you. if you have a kid or are a kid that knows how to key around, go for something else.

There is no other portable key boards like this available for less money. I already own this...and after looking at several models for more and less nothing offered one feature I had to have at this price or lower...TOUCH SENSITIVE KEYS. Not to mention stereo sound, back lit display and an educational learning tool built into the machine.

The keyboard is alright considering that in was very inexpensive compared to others. After a while, it does get sort of boring. I have had this keyboard for about a year, and you eventually get tired of hearing the same thing over and over. The only real feel of diversity you could get from this machinery is if you have a home music studio on your pc. Then, if you hook up your keyboard, you can add to the diversity of your music program. Considering the money spent, I would say that it is a very decent buy.