Whether you have a Yamaha PSR-2000 arranger keyboard (introduced back in 2001) or have just purchased the latest PSR-SX900 or (2024) PSR-SX920 keyboard, you can use the lessons provided here to help you master the main features in your keyboard. All of the Yamaha mid-range (PSR, PSR-S and PSR-SX) and top-level (Tyros and Genos) arranger keyboards have a similar user interface and operating system. Newer models have introduced additional, and more realistic, voices, more styles and more capabilities. But how the user interfaces with the keyboard (selecting styles and voices, saving keyboard setups, playing and recording songs) has remained unchanged from the original PSR-2000 up to and including the latest PSR-S975/S775 models. All of the Tyros models have also used essentially the same system as the PSR and PSR-S models.

Starting in 2018 with the high-end GENOS model (replacing the Tyros5) and continuing in 2019 with the PSR-SX models (SX900 and SX700), a new touch-screen interface replaced the button-based interface of earlier models. Many of the features of earlier keyboards are still there, but how you get to the feature is different with the touch screen.

The lessons provided here using the button-based interface generally apply to all the PSR, PSR-S, and Tyros models. The Yamaha CVP digital pianos also operate similarly so CVP owners as well can benefit. Over time, additional lessons will be added to cover the differences in the new GENOS and PSR-SX models. They will be added throughout the Lessons section where appropriate.

The lessons are divided into five main sections described below and accessed via the secondary navigation bar you see above under "Lessons".

• Start Here - This section is for new owners who have just received their keyboard and are anxious to simply get it up and start playing as quickly as possible. It introduces you to your keyboard (no matter what model you have) and explains the key things you need to understand to start playing songs. The latest PSR-SX920/SX720 model is included in all the Start Here lessons.
• Playing - This section focuses on helping you understand how your keyboard works, how the file system is organized, the kind of information you need to navigate the keyboard and take advantage of major features. It has four major subsections:
  • Yamaha's File System -- Your keyboard, like your computer, uses many different "files" in its operations. There are style files, voice files, registration files, song files. This section explains how these files work and how you use them.
  • Music Finder System -- Having so many options available for playing a song, it can be difficult to know where to start. The Music Finder is a database that can instantly set up your keyboard with an appropriate style and tempo for a wide variety of songs. Pick a song and start playing. NOTE: the Music Finder system has been replaced with a new PLAYLISt sytstem in the GENOS and PSR-SX models
  • Registrations -- Most users will want to pick their own voices and styles for their songs. Registrations allow you to "save" your settings so all your careful settings are instantly available the next time you want to play your song.
  • Recording Songs -- Not only can you capture and save your keyboard settings, but you can also record and save your playing on the keyboard. Record your songs and share them!
• Tuning - Once you know how to use what you've got, the next step for many users is to want to change things. It has four subsections:
  • Adjusting Styles -- Styles can be the lifeblood of an arranger keyboard. Users will soon come to want to make some adjustments in the styles that come with your keyboard. Here you will learn how to put in your own right-hand voices, change tempos, or even change some of the accompaniment.
  • Creating New Styles -- Making a brand new style is not for everyone. However, if you like the rhythm in one style and want to blend it with the guitars of a different style, you can do that. This section shows you how to blend style sections to make new styles.
  • Adjusting Songs -- There are many places where you can get midi files, all of which will play on your keyboard. This section provides some hints on how you can modify a midi file to rearrange it as you want.
  • Vocal Harmony -- Some of these keyboards come with a microphone so you can sing along as you play. For the singers out there, this section will help you understand some of the ins and outs of vocal harmony.
• Workshops - Here are a number of in-depth tutorials and workshops focusing on the Tyros3/4/5 models but useful to PSR-S and PSR-SX owners as well. Learn how to organize your file structure, what kind of files are used in your keyboard and how to access them, how to setup a registration saving all your specific settings, how to develop a system for storing all of your registrations and, finally, some tips on arranging your music.
• FAQs - Frequently Asked Questions - In this section, you can download an extensive pdf file created by Michael Bedesem with answers to 461 topics of interest to PSR and Tyros owners.

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