Home > Consumer Reviews > Yamaha PSS16 37-Note Portable Electronic Keyboard

I've never purchased a keyboard before. I never thought I would need one. However, I found myself in the situation of learning vocal music and realizing that while I knew the name of the note, I couldn't always remember the sound of the note.

"A keyboard", my vocal coach suggested.

"A keyboard," I sighed.

I hunted around town and found that the cheapest I could get was 80 or more dollars -- too much for my budget. Then I saw this gem. I figured that if it was too much like a toy, I could send it to my nephews (and really annoy my sister!).

I've tried it and I like it. Read the description for the details of what it has. As for me, this review is what I like and dislike about it.

While it has a three-octave range, by shifting the selected voice to a bass voice, one can get lower notes -- this is good, for basses and baritones who need notes while learning vocal scores. By shifting to a sopranino voice (like the piccolo) one can cover the full soprano range.

The keys are very small -- I find myself hitting strays when running 5 and 8 note scales. The good point to the small keys is that the player must hit the keys precisely in the center to play anything accurately; however, it also means that the player gets used to having the intervals closer than they are on a full sized keyboard.

Yes, there are lots of voices and combinations, but don't expect them to sound identical to the instrument. Remember that this is a $40.00 keyboard, not a several hundred dollar Roland or Yamaha.

It is lightweight and VERY portable; however, spend a wad on batteries -- this thing uses 6 "C" cells. Do yourself a favor and pick up the adapter the same time you buy the keyboard.

The built in speakers sound good for the midrange voices; however, they do not give full sound the lower voices and the higher. If you demand better sound, then jack in additional speakers or a set of headphones.

I bought this keyboard for my daughter, but everyone wants to play it because it's so much fun. I particullarly like the 100 instrument settings, and playing along with the preprogrammed songs. It has several features to make keyboard playing easier.

The keyboard isn't well suited for serious music reading though, having only 3 octaves and small keys. Also, it uses up batteries rather quickly. If you use it much at all you'll need the power adapter or rechargeable batteries.

This Is An Awesome Product Than Can Be Used By People Of All Ages, It Comes With 15 Fun To Listen Songs On It's Memory And It Can Be Set To Sound As 100 Different Rythms Or Musical Intruments.

this is a ok product.....for babys.if u are begining you should not use this product.this is a childs play thing, sure its fun for babys to pound on.so i gave it 1 star