Yamaha P-145BT

The Yamaha P-145BT is an 88-key digital piano. It’s the entry-level model in Yamaha’s P series. It’s designed for people who are serious about learning to play. Its weighted keyboard replicates the feel of an acoustic piano, in a significantly more compact format than the rest of the P series. If you’re short on space at home and are deciding between several entry-level models, its small size and simple controls (physical buttons, no menus to navigate) make it a great starting point. And you don’t have to sacrifice the quality of the touch.

Highlights

• GHC keyboard with 88 weighted keys: graduated touch (more resistance in the lower registers, just like on an acoustic piano) to learn proper piano technique
• The most compact model in the P series: fits easily into a small space or apartment
• Physical-button interface: easy to use right away—no need to dig through menus or the manual
• Built-in Bluetooth audio: stream your favorite songs from your phone to play along
• Sampled sound from the Yamaha CFIIIS concert grand piano: clear and bright tone
• Damper resonance reproduced via the pedal: adds depth to passages played with the sustain pedal
• Smart Pianist app: adjust sounds, the metronome, and recording settings from your smartphone
• 303 classical sheet music pieces included: enough to practice without having to buy sheet music right away

GHC keyboard: weighted action that prepares you for a real piano

The keyboard uses GHC (Graded Hammer Compact) technology. This is a more compact version of the graded hammer action found on acoustic pianos. The lower keys require more resistance than the higher ones, just like on a grand or upright piano.

This graded weighting allows you to develop authentic keyboard technique. This technique will carry over if you ever switch to an acoustic piano or take music lessons. The action replicates the feel of the GHS keyboards found in previous models of the P series, while fitting into a slimmer cabinet. This partly explains the instrument’s compact size.

Sound: a sampled grand piano with pedal resonance

The sound comes from samples recorded on the CFIIIS, the Yamaha concert grand piano that inspired the CFX series. You’ll enjoy a clear, luminous tone rather than a flat, digital sound. When you use the sustain pedal, the instrument also reproduces damper resonance—the vibration of the strings that continues to resonate after the note is released. This detail adds depth to your playing, especially on slow or expressive pieces.

Built-in Bluetooth audio: Play along with your favorite songs

The P-145BT features built-in Bluetooth audio. You can pair your smartphone or tablet and stream your favorite songs directly through the instrument’s speakers, so you can practice by ear or play along with your songs. Be careful not to confuse this feature with the Yamaha UD-BT01 Bluetooth MIDI adapter, which is sold separately and is iOS-compatible only. That adapter is used to connect the piano wirelessly to the Smart Pianist app—not to listen to music.

Compact design: made for small spaces

This is the model with the sleekest design in the entire P series. It’s designed to take up as little space as possible on a desk or in a corner of a room. If you live in an apartment or don’t have a dedicated music room, you can store it against a wall or easily move it from one room to another. With the optional soft case, you can also take it to class, a friend’s house, or the studio without having to lug around a bulky instrument.

P-145BT, the entry-level model in the P Series: what’s included (and what isn’t)

The P-145BT is positioned as the entry-level model in Yamaha’s P series. It’s an affordable option if you want a weighted keyboard without immediately investing in a higher-end model. Headphones and a pedal are not included with the instrument. If you want to play with headphones (useful in an apartment so you don’t disturb anyone) or use a sustain pedal, you’ll need to purchase them separately.

The free Smart Pianist app lets you control settings (sounds, metronome, recording) from your phone. This saves you from having to comb through the manual to find a feature. You also get 303 classical music scores included with the instrument, giving you plenty to practice with without having to buy additional sheet music right away.