Yamaha Arius Digital Piano Overview

I am also a pianist as well as a trumpet player and I wanted to share my thoughts on Yamaha's range of digital pianos with you. I have owned a Yamaha Arius digital piano for the last 5 years and it is still going strong. It lives upstairs in my house and so was the only option for me, as a normal piano would be extremely difficult to get up the stairs. It is very light weight and the keyboard comes off the stand to make it even more portable.

It also allows me to practice whenever I want as I can simply plug in headphones and play away without worrying that I am disturbing anyone. This makes it perfect for anyone who lives in an apartment or a busy household. It has two headphone slots to allow a teacher also to listen to you play in detail.

The exact model that I own in the YDP-140 (now discontinued) but there are lots of other models available. Yamaha are well known for there 'Clavinova' series of digital pianos but the Arius is a slightly more affordable range, with many of the same great features. The full range can be seen here. They also come in a range of different wood shades so that they fit perfectly with the decor in your home if you wish.

The Arius has a very authentic piano sound and the weighted keys feel very much like a real piano. Like a real piano, it also has three pedals (damper, sostenuto and soft).

 This particular model has six inbuilt voices including harpsichord and string ensemble. This is makes it very fun to play around with! It also has fifty inbuilt classic piano pieces that are in the music book that is supplied with the piano (50 Greats for the Piano). The metronome is also very useful and also allows the inbuilt songs to be slowed down, so that it is easy to play along with them.

This model can also store one recorded track so that you can listen to yourself play, a very useful tool for practicing.

A digital piano is in many ways a great alternative to a real piano, especially because it is a lot cheaper to maintain as it never has to be tuned.

I really like this piano and it has taken me all the way from a beginner to grade 8 standard. Because of its real piano like feel it is perfect for beginners and more advanced players alike. Highly recommended.

8 Things Every Musician Should Own

This is a small list of a few items I would recommend to all musicians:

1. Metronome
A metronome is essential tool for a musician to ensure correcting timing and tempo. I would recommend downloading 'Metrotime' from the App store for free: https://itunes.apple.com/gb/app/metronome/id416443133?mt=8

2. Tuner
If you want to make sure you are in tune, a tuner is an essential item. I would recommend the 'Trevor James Chromatic Clip-on tuner': http://thetrumpetplayer.blogspot.com/2013/09/trevor-james-jmt-9006c-tuner-review.html  or download 'Cleartune' for £2.49 from the App store: https://itunes.apple.com/gb/app/cleartune-chromatic-tuner/id286799607?mt=8  

3. Music Stand
Get a folding stand to take to rehearsals and I would recommend a more durable orchestral stand for home use - especially if you are using the Arban! Check out K&M stands: http://www.k-m.de/en

4. Practise Book
If you have lessons, then I would definitely recommend getting some sort of practise book. This means that you teacher can write down important things for you to practise. If you don't have lessons then a practise book is still useful the right down things you have practised and what you need to focus on next session.

5. Pegs
If you are a member of ensembles, or busk then pegs are a must for outdoor gigs/concerts to prevent those sheets from flying off into the audience. (They are also useful for keeping the Arban on your stand!)

6. Lots of Sheet Music
Try and have a collection of many different styles of music - useful for sight reading practise too!

7. Recordings of Your Favourite Musicians
Listening to musicians that inspire you can real help to motivate you.

8. An Instrument Stand
I like to keep my trumpet out on its stand all the time. I find that it really motivates me to practise and makes it easier just to pick up and play. Find a suitable sturdy stand that is going to keep your instrument safe. Here is a review of a couple of trumpet stands: http://www.thetrumpetplayer.blogspot.com/2013/01/trumpet-stands.html

Trevor James JMT-9006C Tuner Review

I recently purchased the Trevor James JMT-9006C Clip-on Chromatic Tuner and really like it. It not only is a tuner, but also a metronome - two essential items for all musicians. It easily clips onto the bell of my trumpet (it only works when clipped onto the instrument), so I can check my notes are in tune while playing. It is very good quality, with a very clear display and the screen moves so it can easily be used with any instrument. It also has a backlight option (perfect for orchestra pits etc).

Backlight Function

The metronome function is very easy to use and is loud enough to be heard over the sound of the trumpet (a problem I often find with conventional tuners).

A highly recommended tuner and metronome for any musician. £24.99 from Woodwind Warehouse. https://www.woodwindwarehouse.com/Accessories/Forflutes/TrevorJames/TransposingcliponMetronome-Tuner