Yamaha CVP Series

About the Yamaha CVP Series

The Yamaha CVP Series is part of the Clavinova family of digital pianos, combining the feel and sound of a piano with the creative possibilities of a full arranger keyboard. Designed for players who want more than a traditional digital piano, CVP instruments bring together expressive piano sounds, a wide range of instrument Voices, automatic accompaniment and performance features in one integrated instrument. A Yamaha Clavinova CVP piano can provide the sound and response of a concert grand while allowing you to play alongside a virtual backing band, explore different musical styles, record performances and sing along using a compatible microphone. Touchscreen controls make it easier to navigate the extensive features, while built-in speakers create a complete playing setup at home.

The range suits experienced pianists, enthusiastic learners, entertainers and musicians who enjoy arranging music. With different models and cabinet styles available across the series, you can choose an instrument that fits your playing needs and home.

What Makes the Yamaha CVP Series Different?

Piano Playing with a Full Backing Band

One of the defining features of the Yamaha CVP Series is its automatic accompaniment. Built-in Styles provide backing arrangements featuring instruments such as drums, bass, guitars and keyboards, responding to the chords and notes you play. These accompaniments cover a broad range of genres, including pop, jazz, rock, Latin and traditional styles. You can use introductions, variations, fills and endings to shape a performance, creating the feel of playing with a band without needing additional musicians. This makes the CVP particularly appealing to solo performers, entertainers and players who enjoy experimenting with arrangements. You can still use the instrument as a piano, but the accompaniment features offer another dimension when you want to build a fuller performance.

Expressive Piano Sounds and Keyboard Action

The CVP Series is designed to deliver an expressive piano-playing experience. Current CVP-900 models feature sounds sampled from Yamaha's CFX concert grand and the Bösendorfer Imperial, alongside technologies designed to reproduce aspects of acoustic piano resonance and changes in tone as you play. Keyboard action is another important part of the experience. The CVP-905 features a GrandTouch keyboard, while the CVP-909 adds counterweights for its 88-key Linear Graded Hammer action. GrandTouch pedals also provide nuanced pedal control, helping experienced players shape dynamics and sustain. For those who want the appearance of a grand piano, the CVP-909GP combines the flagship model's features with a grand piano-style cabinet.

A Wide Selection of Instrument Voices

Beyond piano sounds, CVP instruments include a substantial selection of instrument Voices. Depending on the model, these can include electric pianos, organs, guitars, brass, strings, woodwind and many other sounds. Selected Voices use Yamaha's Super Articulation technology to reproduce characteristic details of acoustic instruments, helping parts sound more natural and expressive. This gives players more options for arranging songs, accompanying singers or creating layered performances. The breadth of sounds is one of the main differences between the CVP and the more piano-focused Yamaha CLP Series. CVP instruments are designed to support both traditional piano playing and arrangements involving multiple instruments.

Touchscreen Control, Recording and Singing Features

The CVP Series brings many of its functions together through an integrated colour touchscreen. This provides access to sounds, accompaniment Styles, settings and other performance tools without relying entirely on physical buttons. Recording features let you capture performances and develop musical ideas. Compatible models also support audio recording and playback, while Bluetooth audio makes it possible to play music from a compatible device through the instrument. CVP models with microphone support can also add vocal harmonies to singing, making the series particularly useful for home entertainment and solo performers. These features turn the piano into a more complete music-making setup rather than an instrument dedicated solely to playing keys.

Understanding the Yamaha CVP Series Range

The Yamaha CVP range includes different generations and specifications, so it's worth checking the individual model details when comparing instruments. The CVP-900 generation includes the following models:

Yamaha CVP-905: The entry model in the CVP-900 generation, with GrandTouch keyboard action, CFX and Bösendorfer piano samples, a touchscreen, extensive Voices and automatic accompaniment Styles.

Yamaha CVP-909: The flagship upright-style model in the CVP-900 generation, with an enhanced GrandTouch keyboard, counterweights, an advanced speaker system and a larger touchscreen. It offers an extensive range of sounds and accompaniment features.

Yamaha CVP-909GP: Combines the core features of the CVP-909 with a grand piano-style cabinet. It is suited to players who want the CVP's extensive functionality in a more traditional grand piano-inspired design.

Other CVP models from earlier generations may also be available, depending on stock and condition. Compare the keyboard action, sound system, touchscreen, available Voices and Styles, recording options and cabinet design before deciding.

Who Is the Yamaha CVP Series For?

The Yamaha CVP Series is suited to pianists who want a realistic piano experience alongside a broad range of creative features. Experienced players can benefit from its expressive keyboard action and piano sounds, while the accompaniment functions offer new ways to practise, arrange and perform music. It is also a strong option for entertainers and solo performers who want to create the sound of a larger ensemble from one instrument. The ability to switch between piano, other instrument Voices and backing Styles can be useful for performing different genres or accompanying a singer.

For families and hobbyists, the built-in songs, guided practice functions and wide choice of sounds can make playing more varied and engaging. However, if you mainly want a straightforward digital piano for practising classical repertoire, a Yamaha CLP model may be a better match.

Choosing a Yamaha CVP Digital Piano

Start by considering how you want to use the instrument. If you mainly play piano repertoire, focus on keyboard feel, piano sounds and the speaker system. If you enjoy arranging songs or performing, the range of Voices, accompaniment Styles and live controls will be equally important. The cabinet style can also influence your choice. Upright-style CVP models fit naturally into many home settings, while the CVP-909GP offers a grand piano-style appearance. Next, compare the additional features. A touchscreen can make navigating a large sound library easier, while recording and Bluetooth audio may be useful for practice and music creation. If singing is part of your setup, check the microphone and vocal harmony facilities on the specific model. Finally, consider the size of the instrument and your available space. CVP pianos are substantial home instruments, designed to provide an integrated piano and arranger experience rather than the portability of a stage keyboard.

People Also Ask

Yamaha CVP Series FAQs

What is the Yamaha CVP Series?

The Yamaha CVP Series is a range of Clavinova digital pianos that combines realistic piano playing with arranger-keyboard features. Alongside piano sounds, CVP instruments offer a broad range of Voices, automatic accompaniment Styles and creative tools for recording and performance.

What does Clavinova mean?

Clavinova is Yamaha's family of digital pianos. It includes the CLP Series, which focuses on piano playing, and the CVP Series, which combines piano performance with extensive sounds, backing arrangements and interactive features.

Is the Yamaha CVP Series good for beginners?

Yes, although the range's extensive features may be more than a beginner needs. The built-in songs and practice functions can support learning, while the expressive keyboard action provides room to develop piano technique. Players looking for a simpler starting point may prefer a more straightforward digital piano.

What is the difference between Yamaha CVP and CLP?

The Yamaha CLP Series concentrates on piano sound, keyboard feel and expressive playing. The CVP Series includes these piano-focused features but adds automatic accompaniment, a larger selection of instrument sounds and more extensive performance and recording functions. CVP is generally the better fit for players who want to arrange music or perform with backing parts.

Can you sing through a Yamaha CVP piano?

Selected CVP models support microphone input and vocal harmony features, allowing you to sing while playing and add harmonies to your voice. Connections and vocal functions vary by model, so check the specifications of the instrument you're considering.

What is the difference between Yamaha CVP models?

The main differences include the keyboard action, speaker system, touchscreen, sound library, accompaniment Styles and cabinet design. The CVP-909 offers more advanced performance features than the CVP-905, while the CVP-909GP provides the CVP-909 experience in a grand piano-style cabinet.

Explore Other Yamaha Digital Piano Series

Yamaha CLP Series

The Yamaha CLP Series focuses on realistic piano playing, with expressive keyboard actions, detailed piano sounds and integrated speaker systems. It's worth exploring if your priority is piano technique and you don't need the extensive arranger functions found in the CVP range.

Yamaha CSP Series

The Yamaha Clavinova CSP Series includes guided-learning features such as Stream Lights, which illuminate keys to help players follow songs. It is an option for learners who want visual guidance and app-based support during practice.

Yamaha P Series

The Yamaha P Series offers portable digital pianos with weighted keys and a compact design. It suits players who want a more portable instrument for piano practice without the larger cabinet and extensive features of a Clavinova CVP.

Yamaha PSR Series

The Yamaha PSR Series includes portable keyboards with varied sounds and automatic accompaniment. It is worth comparing for players who want arranger features in a more portable format than a CVP digital piano.

Choosing a Yamaha CVP Series Piano

The Yamaha CVP Series brings piano playing, automatic accompaniment and a wide range of creative features together in one instrument. From the CVP-905 to the flagship CVP-909 and grand piano-style CVP-909GP, the range offers options for players who want more from their digital piano.

At Absolute Music, you can explore the Yamaha Clavinova range and compare available CVP models to find the right instrument for your playing style, home and musical ambitions. If you need advice on the differences between CVP and CLP models, contact our team for help choosing the right Yamaha digital piano.