| Having trouble choosing which Yamaha Clavinova | | | | with piano, strings, bass and drum parts (or |
| to buy? Don't worry, my article will help you get | | | | whatever sounds you want to really). All of the |
| through the minefield of information and endless | | | | CVP's have an LCD (liquid crystal display) from |
| specifications. My article is aimed at those of you | | | | which you can access all of the gizmos. |
| who are either absolute beginners, or the | | | | In my opinion when you're deciding which range to |
| intermediate piano players amongst you. | | | | choose from, you need to ask yourself these |
| Why Yamaha Clavinovas? | | | | questions. |
| For those wondering why you should choose | | | | 1. Are you more interested in playing classical |
| Yamaha Clavinovas over other brands, let me | | | | traditional music or contemporary music? |
| give you a very brief potted history. One of the | | | | 2. If you like the idea of having lots more |
| major reasons why people choose Yamaha | | | | functionality, are you prepared to dedicate enough |
| Clavinovas over any other brand is that they | | | | time to learn how to use the software used to |
| invented digital pianos in the early 80's. They are | | | | access all of the functionality? |
| pioneers of digital sound technology and have | | | | 3. What is your playing ability? Absolute beginner, |
| invested huge amounts of money to ensure they | | | | intermediate or advanced? Be honest with |
| continue to be at the forefront of digital sound | | | | yourself. |
| technology. So you know you are choosing a | | | | If you are only ever likely to play more traditional |
| trusted brand. | | | | music, the choice is simple you should go for a |
| What is the difference between the CLP and CVP | | | | CLP. |
| clavinova models? | | | | Even if you like the idea of playing more |
| Because there are so many models available in | | | | contemporary you need to ask yourself if you |
| each range it can become a daunting task to | | | | have the time to learn how to use the software. |
| compare them, especially if you're not familiar | | | | I know plenty of people who've bought the next |
| with the jargon used. To make life easier for you | | | | new thing with every gizmo under the sun |
| lets have a look at the basic differences between | | | | available at the touch of a button. But not having |
| the CLP's and CVP's. | | | | done any research or sat down to think what |
| 1. The CLP's are slimline whereas the CVP's a | | | | they wanted to achieve musically, or even to try |
| more bulky. There's not a huge difference, but if | | | | it out before buying, they ended up becoming |
| you're tight for space its an important | | | | frustrated and not using the instrument at all. |
| consideration. | | | | If you are an absolute beginner having lots of |
| 2. The reason the CVP is larger in size is due to | | | | functionality could be a distraction, especially for |
| the fact it has a lot more technology under the | | | | younger players. The CVP is more suited to those |
| hood. For a start the CVP's have more sounds to | | | | who have reached an intermediate level; are |
| choose from, whereas the CLP models will come | | | | comfortable playing more complex pieces of |
| with a maximum of 10. In essence the CLP would | | | | music and want to add to their repertoire with |
| be the choice for those who are mainly interested | | | | new sounds, backing tracks and have reached a |
| in piano sounds and more traditional music. The | | | | stage where they want to composing their own |
| CVP's are for those who like more contemporary | | | | pieces of music. |
| sounds as well the more traditional. | | | | You'd be making a good start to deciding which |
| 3. Aside from providing extra sounds, the CVP | | | | Clavinova to choose by considering the above. But |
| uses very sophisticated software providing all | | | | rather than take my word for it, I would always |
| kinds of wonderful functionality, such as being able | | | | advise trying one out for yourself at one of the |
| to play along to backing tracks, which can be | | | | many stores that sell them. I would also suggest |
| very helpful as a learning tool, and fun too. You | | | | calling Yamaha themselves to ask about anything |
| also have the ability to record your music onto | | | | you are unsure of. They have a very good |
| the CVP's memory and create your own tracks | | | | helpdesk with friendly and knowledgeable staff. |