Best Yamaha Piaggero NP-12 deals April 2024: learn to play today with these compact keyboard bargains

Overheard shot of Yamaha NP-12 keyboard on a white background
(Image credit: Yamaha)

Finding your first beginner keyboard can be a nerve-racking experience. There are so many keyboards to choose from (like, literally hundreds), and it's not easy knowing where to start. But fear not. We've found the best Yamaha Piaggero NP-12 deals out there, so you can pick up one of the most popular home keyboards for a bargain price.

Most modern electronic keyboards come jam-packed with an array of features, from drum beats and accompaniment to light-up keys and a list of sounds as long as your arm. The Yamaha Piaggero NP-12 forgoes all of this, favouring a compact and sleek design focussed purely on the essential sounds you need to learn the piano. Let's dive into the best deals online today, as well as discuss what makes the NP-12 the perfect beginner keyboard and one of the best Yamaha keyboards available today.

The best Yamaha Piaggero NP-12 deals

Yamaha Piaggero NP-12

Simple no-fuss keyboard, perfect for learning piano

Launch price: $219/£199/€207 | No. of Keys: 61 | Key Type: Full-size | Velocity Sensitive?: Yes | No. Of Sounds: 10 | No. Of Rhythms: 0 | Battery Operated?: Yes | Built-in Speakers?: Yes | Connectivity: Sustain pedal input, USB, Power | Dimensions (cm): W104 x D26 x H11 | Weight (kg): 4.5

Simple to use
Great Yamaha build quality
Lightweight and portable 
Great piano sounds      

The Yamaha Piaggero NP-12 fills a much-needed gap in the market. Before, budding pianists had the choice of an all-singing-all-dancing home keyboard, a bulky digital piano or a full-sized acoustic piano

Yamaha has designed this elegant looking keyboard around the essential elements you need to learn to play the piano with no distractions. Gone are the banks and banks of redundant sounds, in favour of 10 very usable voices (Piano1, Piano2, E.Piano1, E.Piano2, Organ1, Organ2, Strings, Vibes, Harpsichord1, Harpsichord2). 

Among these voices are two grand piano options, sampled from one of Yamaha's most iconic concert grand pianos. This impressive sound engine definitely gives Yamaha a leg on the competition at this price point. 

The NP-12 features 61 keys, making it considerably smaller than a standard piano - which typically has 88. It may have fewer notes, but Yamaha hasn't compromised on the size of those individual keys. The full-size, waterfall-fronted keys are perfect for novice piano players getting used to the instrument while feeling familiar to experienced pianists. The distinct styling of the keys gives the NP-12 a piano look, helping it stand out from the other home keyboards in the Yamaha catalogue. 

One feature that is becoming more and more essential on home keyboards is connectivity. The NP-12 can easily be used as a MIDI controller via the USB port located on the keyboards back panel, making it perfect for your home studio

Don't worry if you aren't quite ready to record yet - there is still plenty you can do with the NP-12. Yamaha offers a wide range of apps designed for beginners that work perfectly with the Piaggero series of keyboards. Digital Piano Controller, Metronome and NoteStar can be accessed through your iOS device (and a Lightning Camera Adaptor), unlocking the potential of your new instrument. 

The Yamaha Piaggero NP-12 offers fantastic value for money, a simple user interface, and world-class sounds. Whether you're a beginner just starting out, an experienced player needing a smaller instrument or a producer looking for a new MIDI controller, you'll find something to love about the Yamaha Piaggero NP-12.

The best Yamaha NP-12 deals: Alternatives

If you love the look of the NP-12 but find yourself longing for more keys, then a great alternative would be the Yamaha Piaggero NP-32. This keyboard features everything that makes the NP-12 so appealing, but with 76 Graded Soft Touch keys. Perhaps it’s a piano with full 88 notes and weighted keys you’re after - then it's worth taking a look at the Yamaha P-45. This piano may be bigger than the NP-12, but it does benefit from a more authentic piano key action - meaning you won't need to upgrade it as fast as the NP-12.

Daryl Robertson
Senior Deals Writer

I'm a Senior Deals Writer at MusicRadar, and I'm responsible for writing and maintaining buyer's guides on the site - but that's not all I do. As part of my role, I also scour the internet for the best deals I can find on gear and get hands-on with the products for reviews. My gear reviews have also been published in prominent publications, including Total Guitar and Future Music magazines, as well as Guitar World.

I have a massive passion for anything that makes a sound, particularly guitars, pianos, and recording equipment. In a previous life, I worked in music retail, giving advice on all aspects of music creation and selling everything from digital pianos to electric guitars, entire PA systems, and ukuleles. I'm also a fully qualified sound engineer who holds a first-class Bachelor's degree in Creative Sound Production from the University of Abertay and I have plenty of experience working in various venues around Scotland.