Piaggero combines the words “piano” and “leggero”, the Italian term for “light”, a name that reflects the character of this compact home keyboard. Weighing just 5.2kg, this digital piano can be easily carried under the arm, while the keyboard remains comfortable and easy to play, making it suitable for everyday use at home. Its clearly structured controls, along with a selection of appealing sounds and built-in speakers, offer a straightforward and accessible playing experience, particularly for beginners. A built-in metronome is great for regular practice sessions, and the recording function makes it possible for learners to listen to their progress at any time.
The NP-15 features an easy-to-play keyboard that is well suited to beginners and amateur musicians, with adjustable touch sensitivity available if needed. Its 61-key range is sufficient in most cases for practising or playing well-known songs and Pop music; pianists interested in the Classical repertoire and more complex piano pieces may prefer the larger NP-35 model, with its 76-key Graded Soft Touch keyboard. The Piaggero offers 15 different sounds, including pianos, electric pianos, organs, strings and harpsichords, with the main voice based on a Yamaha CFIIIS concert grand piano. For more variety, two sounds can be combined as layers, such as piano and strings for a ballad, and the Piaggero also has connections for a sustain pedal and headphones, as well as a computer or tablet via USB.
The NP-15 is suitable for anyone interested in learning to play the piano, as well as for those who can only enjoy making music from time to time. Simply switching it on, selecting a sound and playing relaxing music is easy thanks to the light keyboard and the extremely straightforward operation. There are no compromises when it comes to sound quality, as Yamaha uses the same sound sources found in its larger models. The built-in 2 × 2.5W speaker system is designed for normal use at home, while higher volumes can be achieved by connecting the keyboard to a mixing desk or directly to an amplifier. Thanks to its low weight, the instrument is also easy to transport, making it convenient for playing music with friends.
For decades, Yamaha has been one of the world's best-known manufacturers of musical instruments and audio technology. The Japanese company's long history began at the end of the 19th century with the harmonium. The product range has constantly expanded since then, which has made Yamaha one of the few manufacturers today to offer almost the entire range of existing musical instruments: From upright and grand pianos to guitars, wind instruments, and bowed string instruments and from drums and percussion to electronic keyboards and synthesizers. Yamaha is also a major force in the field of audio engineering as a manufacturer of mixing consoles, amplifiers, PA systems, and more. Yamaha's guiding principle is to combine traditional craftsmanship with state-of-the-art technology.
The Piaggero comes with a sheet music holder that can be easily attached to the top, providing space for traditional sheet music and scores, but also perhaps a smartphone or tablet. These devices can be connected to the keyboard via USB/MIDI or the optional Yamaha UD-BT01 Bluetooth MIDI adapter, making it simple to integrate digital content into daily practice. Yamaha also offers learners the free Smart Pianist app, which displays sheet music clearly and includes a range of useful additional functions: Music pieces can be played back via MIDI for relaxed listening, then replayed or used for practising along, while the app also allows convenient remote control of the keyboard's main settings, depending on the connected model.