Yamaha EZ 310

[Johne]

Hi, I’m completely new to keyboards and music in general, however I really want to be able to play a keyboard to a reasonable level.
I’m quite long in the tooth, so not as lively as I once was.
I’ve been looking at the EZ 310, it looks to be a good beginners keyboard, but I’d appreciate your thoughts on it.
Much thanks

 

[Biggles]

Welcome.

For a beginner a Yamaha is a good place to start.

Now it depends upon if you want to play Piano or play Keyboards!

The learning process is different Between the two.

Playing Piano requires independent left and right hand actions and a learning process that trains in this manner. The keyboard is an 88 key digital piano with an acoustic piano type of keybed.

Playing Keyoard requires lefthand chords and melody line played by right hand. This is the normal system for us seniors and the keyboard we use is an Arranger.

As for which keyboard, I really do suggest that you up your budget and look at a Yamaha PSR e583 which is vastly superior to the EZ but without breaking the bank. It is a keyboard which you will grow into and it will last you considerably longer than an EZ. The natural progression from a e583 is presently a PSR SX 720 which is £1000 from Promenade Music in Morecambe (other venders are available), it is a shop I know & have visited and bought from them.

Do look at online reviews.

If you can visit a Music Store then do ring them up prior to arrange to go and have a demo.

https://uk.yamaha.com/en/musical-instruments/keyboards/products/portable-keyboards/psr-e583/

Scroll down on the website until you see the video demo’s.

This is a Youtube link which shows the basic operations

Enjoy your Musical Journey

 

[Johne]

Biggles, much thanks for taking the time to provide me with such valuable information. I shall choose carefully and hopefully wisely.

 

[Biggles]

You are welcome.

Do visit a Music Store if you can to see what is on offer but do not buy in-store. Always buy online as the Stores Return Policy will be very different between the two buying options.

Online purchase are likely to have a 30 day Return so you have chance to learn the Menu system and get the basics understood, so do read the policy as it maybe that you have 14 days to notify them of the return.

Our Forum sections do have a lot of info that can help so do search them for say Practice Routine.

 

[Johne]

Excellent tip regarding buying online. Thanks.

 

[hubalken]

Yes, excellent advice!! I bought my Roland and Yamaha digital pianos and my smaller, more portable Yamaha keyboard online. Sweetwater(U.S.A.) is an excellent source to buy from. Shipping from their Ft. Wayne, Indiana store to my home takes one day. I primarily play piano, hence my preferences toward digital pianos. I second the suggestion of the Yamaha PSR E 583!! It has excellent piano, organ and many other voices. I played one that was on loan to me for three months and enjoyed it immensely!! The 583 also has the capability for an expression pedal which really comes in handy for organ voices. I used the PSR E 583 until I bought my Yamaha DGX 670 digital piano/arranger workstation which has the graded hammer action, weighted 88 keys which I require for my piano music. There is a difference between playing keyboard and playing piano. If you can manage it, the PSR E 583 is a better option with excellent voices and touch sensitivity. Best of luck to you!!

 

[Biggles]

Whilst I advocate buying from a local Music Store via an Online purchase if this is not viable then there is always Amazon.

A Yamaha PSR e583 is currently £419.00 with free delivery & free no cost return.

Do note that in addition to the keyboard you will require a keyboard stand and stool. I suggest that you do buy a keyboard stand by a reputable make, such as On-Stage, K&M, Roland etc.

There are four basic types of Keyboard stand, X brace, Z stand, Table & Column.

X brace tend to be the cheapest, if you do buy one of these do get a heavy duty version and always use a safety strap between the top two arms. A double X brace will be more stable that a single.

Z stands give more legroom when seated and then tend to be more stable.

Table, as the name suggests, there are Pros and Cons but they do look better in a home environment.

Column, look fantastic but cheap ones are not stable in that as you play the keyboard can move.

This is what I use, a K&M 18820 which costs £132, but it does support my Korg Pa arranger.


An On-Stage heavy duty X brace will be about £70.

 

[Johne]

Thanks for the info on stands Biggles. Are all of these stands adjustable, or all at a set height?

 

[Biggles]

All stands are adjustable in height, the manufacturers website gives the range of adjustment.

This is my stand which has a 420mm height adjustment range.

For me there is no cross brace as there is with X and Z stands so it is comfortable to sit at.

 

[Johne]

Thanks again Biggles

 

[Gourockian]

All stands are adjustable in height, the manufacturers website gives the range of adjustment.

This is my stand which has a 420mm height adjustment range.

For me there is no cross brace as there is with X and Z stands so it is comfortable to sit at.


View attachment 4145

Double X-stands are great - I have two heavy duty 3-tiers - but they won't provide stability on an uneven floor. I used to have a good Z-stand but it had the same problem.

One other type of keyboard stand that is seriously worth considering is a platform stand, such as this one produced by On-Stage. https://www.sweetwater.com/store/de...e-stands-ks7150-platform-style-keyboard-stand.

The big advantage of these is that not only is it adjustable for height and the width extends from 29 - 43.5", the individual feet can all be adjusted by screwing or unscrewing them and locking them with a nut. I use one for my 72lb Yamaha CP300, which is normally located on a slightly uneven tiled floor at home and it is rock-solid. If I use my On-Stage heavy duty double x-stand in the same position, the whole setup wobbles and drives me nuts. My platform stand has even been used outdoors on rough ground without any issues, so can be recommended for any situation.

These stands fold flat and are easily carried, weighing just under 18.5 lbs but can support 230lbs. However, if someone wants to use it for gigging, an adjustable or open-ended 13mm spanner (wrench in the US) is essential, to adjust for floor surface at different venues.

A cheaper and lighter version is this one and although the feet can swivel, it doesn't look like they are independently adjustable for height but perhaps they are. https://rockvilleaudio.com/products...=2325260935202220&utm_content=Audio+Equipment

 

[Jon80]

Hi, I’m completely new to keyboards and music in general, however I really want to be able to play a keyboard to a reasonable level.
I’m quite long in the tooth, so not as lively as I once was.
I’ve been looking at the EZ 310, it looks to be a good beginners keyboard, but I’d appreciate your thoughts on it.
Much thanks

Hi Johne, I’m another Jon who’s quite long in the tooth, as well. Looks like you’ve already got plenty of good advice from far more experienced kb users, so nothing really of import to add here, other than my experience with beginner kbs, all Yamahas. I currently have an MX61, which I don’t consider a beginner model, but then I’m a guitarist. I’m not familiar with the EZ 310, but after looking at a lot of YouTube videos, I opted for the E383, which I see is still $200 on Amazon and Sweetwater, I think. No sustain pedal included, so tack on another $25+ as you’ll definitely want one. I definitely consider the E383 a beginner kb, but surprisingly I’ve been able to replicate all but one of my MX “performances” that required a third party app to create two split points (allows three instrument parts at different sections of the keyboard. Doubt you’d be interested in doing that for awhile.) Anyway, I would consider E383 as an option, if the demo videos look good. Just another old guy’s 2¢.

 

[hubalken]

I agree on the Yamaha PSR E 383. I have one which I use for gigs outside of my home. It's very light, has excellent voices and touch sensitivity, among it's myriad of other features. I think it weighs about 10 lbs and for me, is light enough to carry back and forth from my apartment to my car without compromising my already bad lower back. You will definitely want to budget some funds for a sustain pedal as has been mentioned. I purchased my PSR E 383 for $200.00. The sustain pedal I obtained on Amazon for about $10.00 last year. I use a Roadrunner 61 note keyboard bag for storage and transport.
This is a nice 61 note keyboard that I can set up on my patio and practice outside with and it can run on 6 AA alkaline or rechargeable batteries for something like four hours, possibly a little longer. If you're looking for something with more features, then the PSR E 583 is great as well. I think that the PSR E series models from Yamaha are great beginner's keyboards. Even though I'm more of an intermediate, hobbyist player, I've found that the PSR E series keyboards are sufficient for my needs and have been using them now for awhile. Whichever model you choose, there's plenty to keep you busy for a long time.

 

[Johne]

This forum is is a great find. I never expected such a detailed and knowledgeable response to my question. Much thanks to all of you that have given up some of your valuable time to pass on your experience and knowledge to me.