Yamaha U1 SH3 Silent Piano review

Full review

A silent piano is a normal acoustic piano with an extra system built in. Move a lever and a rail stops the hammers just before they hit the strings, while sensors under the keys send your playing to a digital sound module heard on headphones. Move it back and you have a full acoustic piano again.

The SH3 is Yamaha's latest system and the U1 SH3 pairs it with the U1 described above. In headphone mode you can choose between samples of Yamaha's CFX concert grand and the Bosendorfer Imperial, recorded with binaural microphones placed where a listener's ears would be. It sounds remarkably natural and is far less tiring than a cheap digital piano on headphones. The sensors read continuous key position rather than on or off, which helps soft playing.

This is the obvious choice if you live in a flat, have a baby sleeping upstairs or practise late. Yamaha includes headphones and there are two sockets, so a teacher and pupil can listen together. The Smart Pianist app lets you change sounds and settings from a phone or tablet.

In silent mode the keys feel very slightly different, because the hammers stop short. Most players adapt within days. Remember that the acoustic side still needs regular tuning.