Buy a digital piano and learn to play at the same time, without grinding through theory books first: that is exactly what the Yamaha CSP is built for. The name stands for Clavinova Smart Piano, and the range combines a full digital piano with the Smart Pianist app and a light-guide system above the keys.
If you want to play along to a favourite song rather than drill theory first, the Yamaha CSP offers an unusually direct way in. This spotlight explains the learning system, the sound and key-action technology, and who the range is made for.
01Stream Lights and Smart Pianist: the learning system
Above each key of the Yamaha CSP sits a small row of LEDs, the Stream Lights. Like a downward stream of light, they show which key comes next and how long to hold it. Instead of reading notation, you follow the light and play along.
It is driven by the free Smart Pianist app on a tablet or smartphone. Its Audio To Score function analyses songs from your own music library and turns them into a piano arrangement to play along with. Your favourite song becomes practice material, not just the built-in repertoire.
02Sound and keyboard: the piano under the app
The learning features sit on a serious instrument. The CSP range uses samples of two concert grands, the Yamaha CFX and the Bösendorfer Imperial, for two clearly different tonal characters, from bright to warm.
The keyboard is a GrandTouch action with weighted wooden keys that comes close to the touch of an acoustic grand, heavier in the bass, lighter in the treble. That keeps the Yamaha CSP capable even when an easy start turns into serious playing.
03Which models and who for
The current range comes as upright models and in grand-piano form. The variants available right now are shown in the Digitalpianos.
The CSP range suits learning-motivated players who want to play songs quickly, families with children starting out playfully, and pop and song players who practise with their own music. The table gives an overview of the individual models.
| Model | Form | Sound engine | Highlight |
|---|---|---|---|
| CSP-255 | Upright | CFX and Bösendorfer Imperial | GrandTouch-S keyboard, Stream Lights, entry into the range |
| CSP-275 | Upright | CFX and Bösendorfer Imperial | GrandTouch keyboard, more speaker power |
| CSP-295 | Upright | CFX and Bösendorfer Imperial | Top upright model, GrandTouch keyboard |
| CSP-295GP | Grand form | CFX and Bösendorfer Imperial | Grand-piano look, same learning system |
04CSP or CLP: what is the difference
Yamaha's CLP Clavinovas are classic digital pianos for focused practice, without a light-guide system and without the deep app integration of the CSP. The CSP adds Stream Lights and the Smart Pianist learning features on top of the same Clavinova foundation.
If you are simply after playing and practising, a CLP serves you well. If learning, playing along to your own songs and visual guidance matter most, the Yamaha CSP is the choice. Both ranges are in the Digitalpianos.
The Yamaha CSP is the digital piano for anyone who puts learning and playing along first, without compromising on the instrument. To take the next step, compare the available models in the category.
Frequently asked questions
What does CSP mean at Yamaha?
How do the Stream Lights work?
Can I practise my own songs with the CSP?
How does the CSP differ from the CLP range?
Who is the Yamaha CSP for?
Explore the Yamaha CSP
Available CSP models and other digital pianos at a glance.
View digital pianosView the CSP-255