Yamaha P 155 Instruction Manual

							Before Using the Instrument
P-155 Owner’s Manual
ENGLISH
11
Using the Pedals
Sustain Pedal (Sustain Pedal jack)
This jack is for connecting the included fo ot switch FC4. The pedal functions in the 
same way as a damper pedal on an acoustic piano. Connect the included foot switch 
FC4 to this jack and press the pedal to sustain the sound.
Wh en “Damper Resonance” is on, the instrument simulates the sustain sound that 
occurs when you press the damper pedal of a grand piano, as you press the damper 
pedal and play the keyboard.
An  optional FC3 foot pedal or FC5 foot switch can also be connected to this jack. For 
the FC3, the further down the pedal is pressed, the longer the sound will be sustained. 
(It can be used like a half pedal effect).
• The depth of the effect produced by the Sustain Samples can be adjusted via the Pedal func-
tions (pages 39, 43) in Function.
AUX Pedal (AUX Pedal jack)
This jack is for connecting an optional FC3  foot pedal, FC5 foot switch or FC7 foot 
co ntroller. An included foot switch FC4 can also be connected to this jack. A wide 
r ange of functions, including the Soft Pedal function, can be assigned to this jack. For 
instructions on assigning the pedal, refer to pages 39, 43.
• The FC7 Foot Controller can be used to control Expression (pages 39, 43).
Using Headphones
Co nnect a set of headphones to one of the [PHONES] jacks. 
Tw o  
[PHONES] jacks are provided.
Y ou can connect two sets of standard stereo headphones. (If you are using 
only one set of headphones, y ou can plug them into either jack.)
CAUTION
Do not use the instrument at a high volume level for a long period of ti\
me, or 
your hearing may be damaged.
CAUTION
The speakers are automatically shut off when a plug is inserted into thi\
s jack.
• Optional headphones:
HPE-150 Yamaha headphones
M usic Rest
The instrument includes a music rest that can be attached to the 
instrument by inserting it into the holes at the top of the control 
panel.
If the sustain pedal doesn’t work, 
make sure that the pedal cord is 
properly plugged into the jack.
TERMINOLOGY
Half-pedal:
While playing the piano with Sus-
tain and you want to slightly mute 
the sustained sound, release the 
pedal from maximum position to 
half position.
NOTE
FC4
On front panel
Standard stereo 
phone plug 
						

							Listening to the Demo Songs
P-155 Owner’s Manual
ENGLISH
12
Listening to the Demo Songs
Demo songs are provided that effectively demonstrate each of the instrum\
ent’s voices.
1.Press the [STANDBY/ON] switch to turn the power 
on (page 10).
When the power is turned ON, one of the voice button indicators will light.
2.Adjust the volume (page 10).
Initially set the [MASTER VOLUME] dial about half way between the “MIN” and 
“MAX” settings. Then, when you start playing, re-adjust the 
[MASTER VOL-
UME]
 dial to the most comfortable listening level.
3.Press the [DEMO] button to listen to the Demo 
songs.
The VOICE button indicators will flash in sequence, then the GRAND PIANO 1 
demo song will start. Demo songs provided for each voice will play back in 
sequence until you press the 
[DEMO] or [STOP] button. 
Changing a demo song
Y ou can change to another Demo song during playback by pressing the desired 
V OICE button.
Demo Song List
• The demonstration song of CHURCH ORGAN features short rearranged excerpts of the 
original composition.
• All songs except CHURCH ORGAN are original (© 2008 Yamaha Corporation).
4.Press the [DEMO] or [STOP] button to stop the 
Voice demo.
3
4
34
Demo song data is not transmit-
ted via the MIDI terminals.
MIDI reception is not possible 
during Demo song playback.
Demo songs cannot be played 
during song recording (page 25) 
or in the File Operation mode 
(page 39).
Y ou cannot adjust the tempo of 
demo songs.
Y ou cannot use the Part Cancel 
function (page 14) or the Song 
A-B Repeat function (page 15) in 
Demo.
NOTE
NOTE
NOTE
NOTE
V oice NameTitleComposer
GRAND PIANO 1 Original Original
GRAND PIANO 2 Original Original
ELECTRIC PIANO 1 Original Original
ELECTRIC PIANO 2 Original Original
J AZZ ORGAN Original Original
CHURCH ORGAN Herr Christ, der ein’ge Gottes-
Sohn, BWV.601  J.
 S. Bach
STRINGS 1 
([STRINGS/OTHERS]   o 1 ) Original Original
Reference 
						

							Using the 50 Piano “Preset” Songs
P-155 Owner’s Manual
ENGLISH
13
Using the 50 Piano “Preset” Songs
Listening to the 50 Piano Preset Songs
The instrument provides performance data of 50 piano songs. You can simply listen to these songs 
(page 60) or use them for practice (page 14).
1.Press the [SONG SELECT] button a few times until 
the “PRESET” indicator lights.
2.Press the [–/NO], [+/YES] buttons to select the num-
ber of the tune you want to play.
The number will appear on the display.
1–50:  Select a preset song number and play only the song.
ALL : Play all preset songs in sequence.
rnd : Play all preset songs continuously in random order.
3.Press the [PLAY/PAUSE] button to start playback.
Adjust the tempo
You can use the 
[TEMPO/FUNCTION –, +] buttons to adjust the playback tempo 
as required. This produces a relative tempo variation, with a range from “–50” 
through “0” to “50” at maximum; the range will differ depending on the 
selected song.
The default tempo can be recalled by simultaneously pressing the 
[–] and [+] 
buttons.
4.Stop playback.
Playback will stop automatically when the selected preset song has finished. To 
stop the song during playback (or continuous playback), press the
 [STOP] but-
to n. You can also pause playback by pressing the 
[PLAY/PAUSE] button.
To  play back another song continuously, see step  2 above.
5.Press the [SONG SELECT] button to exit Preset Song 
playback.
The indicator turns off, and the instrument returns to normal play.
52
3
41
Preset songs cannot be played 
during Demo/USER/USB songs 
playback, song recording 
(page 25), or in the File Operation 
mode.
TERMINOLOGY
Song:
On the instrument, performance 
data is called a “Song.” This 
includes demonstration tunes and 
piano preset tunes.
Preset:
Preset Data supplied with the 
internal memory of the instrument 
shipped from the factory.
Y ou can play the keyboard along 
with the preset song. You can 
change the voice playing on the 
keyboard.
The default tempo “0” is automati-
cally selected whenever a new 
preset song is selected, or when 
playback of a new preset song 
begins during “ ALL” or “ rnd” 
playback.
When you select a different song 
(or a different song is selected 
during chained playback), appro-
priate reverb and effect types will 
be selected accordingly.
Y ou can adjust the Brilliance con-
trol (page 20) and Reverb type 
(page 20) that is applied to the 
voice played from the keyboard 
and to preset song playback. You 
can change the Effect settings 
(page 21) and Touch sensitivity 
(page 22) for the keyboard voice 
as well.
NOTE
NOTE
NOTE
NOTE
NOTE 
						

							Using the 50 Piano “Preset” Songs
P-155 Owner’s Manual
ENGLISH
14
Practicing a One-Hand Part Using the 50 Preset Songs 
(Part Cancel Function)
The 50 preset songs have separate left- and right-hand parts on individu\
al parts. You can turn the 
left- and right-hand parts on or off as required so you can practice the\
 corresponding part (the part 
that is turned off) on the keyboard. The right-hand part is played by  [RIGHT] and the left-hand part 
is played by  [LEFT].
1.Turn off the playback part you wish to practice.
Af ter you select a song to practice, press the [RIGHT] or [LEFT] button to turn 
off the corresponding part.
Wh en you first select a song, both 
[RIGHT] and [LEFT] indicators light up, indi-
cating that you can play back both parts. When you press one of the buttons to 
turn off playback, the corresponding button indicator turns off and the corre-
sponding part playback is muted.
Pr essing the buttons repeatedly toggles playback between on and off. The parts 
can be turned on or off even during playback.
2.Press the [PLAY/PAUSE] button to start playback 
and playing.
Play the part you just turned off.
Starting playback automatically 
as you start playing the keyboard (Sync Start)
Y ou can cause playback to begin when you play the keyboard (Sync Start). Hold 
down the 
[STOP] button and press the [PLAY/PAUSE] button. The [PLAY/
P AUSE]
 indicator will blink, and the instrument will wait for Sync Start. Now 
when you play the keyboard, playback will begin at the same moment. If you 
press the 
[STOP] button while waiting, Sync Start will be cancelled.
Pedal Play/Pause
A pedal connected to the 
[AUX PEDAL] connector can be assigned to play and 
pause preset song playback via the AUX Pedal function described on pages 39, 
43.
3.Stop playback.
Wh en playback is complete, it automatically stops and the instrument locates 
the top of the song. If you wish to stop playback in the middle of a song, press 
the 
[STOP] button. You can also pause playback by pressing the [PLAY/PAUSE] 
button.
1
2
3
 The Preset Song Part Cancel 
function cannot be used during 
“ ALL ” or “ rnd” (page 13) play-
back.
Resetting the part playback
Both parts are automatically 
turned ON whenever you select a 
new song.
NOTE
NOTE
TERMINOLOGY
Sync:
Synchronized; occurring at the 
same time. 
						

							Using the 50 Piano “Preset” Songs
P-155 Owner’s Manual
ENGLISH
15
A-B Repeat for the 50 Preset Songs
The A-B Repeat function can be used to continuously repeat a specified\
 phrase within a preset song. 
Combined with the Part Cancel function (page 14), this provides an exc\
ellent way to practice diffi-
cult phrases.
1.Select and play a preset song.
2.Press the [TEMPO/FUNCTION] button at the begin-
ning of the phrase you want to repeat.
This sets the “A” point (  will appear on the display).
3.Press the [TEMPO/FUNCTION] button a second 
time at the end of the phrase. 
This sets the “B” point (  will appear on the display). 
At  this point, repeat playback will begin between the specified A and B points.
 
4.Press the [STOP] button to stop playback. 
A-B repeat playback will resume if you press the [PLAY/PAUSE] button.
To  cancel the A and B points, press the 
[TEMPO/FUNCTION] button once.
43
2
The A-B Repeat function cannot 
be used during “
ALL” or “ rnd” 
(page 13) playback.
NOTE
•T o set the “A” point at the very 
beginning of the song, press 
the  [TEMPO/FUNCTION]  but-
ton before starting playback.
•Y ou can have the B point auto-
matically be set to the song’s 
end, by setting the A point and 
letting the song play to the end.
An automatic lead-in (to help 
guide you into the phrase) starts 
at the A point of the song. 
After setting the A and B points, 
you can set the Sync Start 
(page 14) and Pedal Play/Pause 
(page 14) functions.
NOTE
NOTE
NOTE
AB
Repeat A through B
The A and B points are automati-
cally canceled when a new song 
is selected.
NOTE 
						

							Selecting & Playing Voices
P-155 Owner’s Manual
ENGLISH
16
Selecting & Playing Voices
Selecting Voices
Select the desired voice by pressing one of the Voice 
buttons.
[STRINGS/OTHERS] button
Pressing the 
[STRINGS/OTHERS] button switches among the following eleven 
voic es.
Then, when you start playing, re-adjust the 
[MASTER VOLUME] dial for the most com-
fortable listening level.
V oice Name
To  familiarize yourself with the 
characteristics of the voices, lis-
ten to the demo songs for each 
voice (page 12). Refer to “Preset 
V oice List” on page 57 for more 
information on the characteristics 
of each preset voice.
TERMINOLOGY
V oice:
On the instrument, the term 
“voice” means “instrument 
sound.”
Y ou can control the loudness of a 
voice by adjusting the force with 
which you strike the keys, 
although different playing styles 
(touch sensitivities) have little or 
no effect with certain musical 
instruments.
Refer to “Preset Voice List” on 
page 57.
If you select the voice via the 
[STRINGS/OTHERS]  button then 
press another VOICE button, the 
voice last selected via the 
[STRINGS/OTHERS]  button will 
be maintained. In other words, 
pressing the  [STRINGS/OTH-
ERS]  button again calls up the 
last selected voice. 
NOTE
NOTE
NOTE
DisplayV oice Name
o  1STRINGS 1
o  2STRINGS 2
o  3CHURCH ORGAN 2
o  4HARPSICHORD
o  5E.CLAVICHORD
o  6VIBRAPHONE
o  7CHOIR
o  8GUITAR
o  9W OOD BASS
o10BASS & CYMBAL
o11E.BASS 
						

							Selecting & Playing Voices
P-155 Owner’s Manual
ENGLISH
17
Combining Voices (Dual)
You can play voices simultaneously across the entire range of the keyboar\
d. In this way, you can 
combine similar voices to create a thicker sound.
1.Press two voice buttons at the same time (or press 
one voice button while holding another) to engage 
Dual.
The voice indicators of both selected voices will light when Dual is active.
Play the keyboard.
If  y ou want to use a voice selected via the 
[STRINGS/OTHERS] button, press the 
[STRINGS/OTHERS] button several times to call up the desired voice while 
holding any other VOICE button. The number of the voice name of the 
[STRINGS/OTHERS] button is displayed on screen.
Ac cording to the voice numbering priority shown in the diagram below, the 
lower value voice number will be designated as Voice 1 (the other voice will be 
designated as Voice 2).
The Function provides access to a numb er of other Dual functions, such as vol-
ume balance setting and octave setting (pages 39, 41). (If you do not set the 
Dual functions, the appropriate setting will be set in each voice by default.)
2.Press any single voice button to return to the nor-
mal single-voice play.
21
T wo voices in the  [STRINGS/
O THERS]  button cannot be 
engaged at the same time.
Dual and Split cannot be 
engaged at the same time.
[REVERB] in Dual:
The reverb type assigned to 
V oice 1 will take priority over the 
other. (If the reverb is set to OFF, 
V oice 2 reverb type will be in 
effect.)
[EFFECT] in Dual:
Depending on the condition, one 
effect type may take priority over 
the other. The depth is deter-
mined according to the default 
depth value of the voice combina-
tion. However, using function F3 
(page 41) you can adjust the 
depth value for each voice to your 
liking.
NOTE
NOTE
NOTE
1234567
V oice numbering priority 
						

							Selecting & Playing Voices
P-155 Owner’s Manual
ENGLISH
18
Splitting the Keyboard Range and Playing Two Different 
Voices ([SPLIT])
Split enables you to play two different voices on the keyboard — one \
with the left hand and 
another with the right hand. For example, you can play a bass part using\
 the Wood Bass or Electric 
Bass voice with the left hand, and a melody with the right hand.
1.Press the [SPLIT] button to engage Split.
The [SPLIT] button lights.
As  a default setting, WOOD BASS will be selected for the left-hand part.
 
The Function provides access to a number of other Split functions (pages 39, 
42). (If you make no settings for the Split functions, the appropriate setting will 
be set in each voice by default.)
2.Specify the split point (the border between the 
right- and left-hand range).
Pr ess and hold down the [SPLIT] button and play the key you wish to assign as 
the split point. 
(T he split point is initially set at the F #2 key by default. If you do not need to 
c hange the split point, skip this step.) You can check the name of the current 
split point key on the LED display by holding down the 
[SPLIT] button.
An example of split-point key display
Split point (default setting: F #2)
Bass voice Melody
1 45
23
Dual and Split cannot be 
engaged at the same time.
TERMINOLOGY
Default setting:
The “Default setting” refers to the 
factory setting obtained when you 
first turn on the power to the 
instrument.
A specified “split point” key is 
included in the left-hand range.
The split point can also be set by 
the Function F4.1 (page 42).
The split point can also be 
changed by simultaneously hold-
ing down the  [SPLIT] button and 
pressing the  [–/NO] or [+/YES]  
button.
The default split point can be 
r ecalled by simultaneously hold-
ing down the  [SPLIT] button and 
pressing both the  [–/NO] and [+/
YES]  buttons together.
NOTE
NOTE
NOTE
NOTE
F 2
F#2
E b2
f
ollowed by a high bar if sharp
f ollowed by a low bar if flat 
						

							Selecting & Playing Voices
P-155 Owner’s Manual
ENGLISH
19
3.Press a voice button to select a voice for the right 
hand.
If y ou want to use a voice selected via the [STRINGS/OTHERS] button, press the 
[STRINGS/OTHERS]  button several times to call up the desired voice. The voice 
nu mber of the 
[STRINGS/OTHERS] button is displayed on screen.
4.Press the corresponding voice button while holding 
the [SPLIT] button to select a voice for the left hand.
The indicator of the left voice button will light while the [SPLIT] button is 
pressed.
If  y ou want to use a voice selected via the 
[STRINGS/OTHERS] button, press the 
[STRINGS/OTHERS] button several times to call up the desired voice while 
holding the 
[SPLIT] button. The voice number of the [STRINGS/OTHERS] but-
to n is displayed on screen.
5.Press the [SPLIT] button to return to the normal sin-
gle-voice play.
[REVERB] in Split
The reverb type assigned to the 
right voice will take priority over 
the other. (If the reverb is set to 
OFF, the left voice’s reverb type 
will be in effect.) Reverb depth 
settings made via the panel con-
trols (i.e., pressing the  [–/NO] or 
[+/YES]  buttons while holding the 
[REVERB]  button; see page 20) 
will be applied to both voices.
[EFFECT] in Split
Depending on the conditions, one 
effect type will take priority over 
the other. The depth will be 
decided according to the default 
depth value of the voice combina-
tion. However, using Function F4 
(pages 39, 42) you can change 
the depth value for each voice as 
you like. Effect depth settings 
made via the panel controls (i.e., 
pressing the  [–/NO] or [+/YES] 
buttons while holding the 
[EFFECT]  button; see page 21) 
will be applied to the right voice 
only.
NOTE
NOTE 
						

							Selecting & Playing Voices
P-155 Owner’s Manual
ENGLISH
20
Adding Variations to the Sound – [BRILLIANCE]/
[REVERB]/[EFFECT]/“Damper Resonance”
[BRILLIANCE]
Y ou can use this control to adjust the brilliance of the tone and change the tonality to 
suit your preference.
BRIGHT:Brig ht tone
NORMAL:Standard tone
MELLOW:Soft and mellow tone
To  select a brilliance type, press the 
[BRILLIANCE] button a few times until the indica-
to r corresponding to the desired type lights (the indicator lights in sequence each time 
y ou press the 
[BRILLIANCE] button). Brilliance can be selected among five types. When 
two adjacent indicators are lit, the type that is between the two indicated types is 
selected. For example, when both NORMAL and MELLOW are lit, the brilliance set-
ting between NORMAL and MELLOW is selected. 
[REVERB]
This control enables you to select various digital reverb effects for adding extra depth 
and expression to the sound and creating a realistic acoustic ambience.
OFF: When no reverb effect is selected, no REVERB indicator is lit.
ROOM: This setting adds a continuous reverb effect to the sound, similar to the 
acoustic reverberation you would hear in a room.
HALL 1: For a “bigger” reverb sound, use the HALL 1 setting. This effect simulates 
the natural reverberation of a small-size concert hall.
HALL 2: For a truly spacious reverb sound, use the HALL 2 setting. This effect simu-
lates the natural reverberation of a large concert hall.
STAGE: Sim ulates the reverb of a stage environment.
Pr essing the 
[REVERB] button repeatedly toggles the reverb on and off.
The indicators light in sequence each time the 
[REVERB] button is pressed. When all 
indicators are off, no effect is produced.
Adjusting Reverb Depth
Ad just the reverb depth for the selected voice by using the 
[–/NO] [+/YES] buttons 
while holding the 
[REVERB] button. Default depth settings are different for each voice. 
The depth range is from 0 (no effect) through 20 (maximum reverb depth). The cur-
re nt depth setting appears on the display while the 
[REVERB] button is held.
[BRILLIANCE] button
[–/NO] [+/YES] buttons
[REVERB] button[EFFECT] button
Default setting = NORMAL
When the BRILLIANCE is set to 
BRIGHT, the overall sound will be 
slightly louder. If the MASTER 
VOLUME is set at a high level the 
sound may become distorted. If 
so, lower the MASTER VOLUME 
level.
NOTE
NOTE
The default reverb type (including 
OFF) and depth settings are dif-
ferent for each voice.
NOTE
Releasing the 
[REVERB] button 
changes the reverb type.
If you are changing the reverb 
depth by holding the  [REVERB] 
button, releasing the  [REVERB] 
button will not change the reverb 
type. 
NOTE