Yamaha EZ-AG Self-Teaching Guitar
No longer available at zZounds
The excitement of a guitar without the sore fingers, broken strings, poor tuning and tedious exercises. 6 lighted frets.
Overview
The EZ-AG is a new musical instrument that provides all the fun and excitement of a guitar without the sore fingers, broken strings, poor tuning and tedious exercises. Now, anyone, of any age, can learn chords and strumming by following lights.
It features 6 lighted frets that show beginners the actual hand positions for chords, plus six "strings" that emulate strumming or finger-picking. EZ-AG frets 1 through 6 are illuminated and will glow red when pressed. The onboard selection of songs can be expanded via the Web - songs can be downloaded into the guitar's Flash ROM via MIDI IN/OUT connections and a quick connection to a computer.
This Self Teaching guitar reproduces realistic guitar sounds, bass guitar sounds and the timbres of a banjo, piano and more through its built-in speaker.
Yamaha technology has made the EZ-AG one of the first, and certainly the easiest pathways to playing and having fun with the guitar. You're literally playing in minutes. And, as easy and fun as the EZ-AG is - you're really learning to play.
"Guitar"-type features include volume, tempo, and balance controls, standard and open tuning options, plus an electronic capo for pitch adjustment. You can plug the EZ-AG into a standard guitar amplifier, or use the mini-headphone jack for private practice.
Sore fingers?
No sore fingers because there are no strings to press.
How do I learn to strum?
The EZ-AG lets you learn to strum while it plays the chords.
How do I learn to play chords?
The EZ-AG… read more shows you the notes for chords using the lights.
How do I tune this thing? Which one is the "E" string? "A" string?
This guitar is always in tune - no tuning required.
Where do I buy strings 'cause I just broke one?
No strings required.
It's boring learning to play an instrument with no music to play along with!
The EZ-AG comes with 25 built-in songs and riffs to play along with.
I want to learn to play my favorite song.
Find your favorite MIDI song file on the Internet and transfer it into the EZ-AG.
It's been a month and I'm tired of guitar.
Change the voice on the guitar to a piano or bass sound & play those instruments.
Lighted frets: Help you learn to play
The EZ-AG has 25 built-in songs and riffs for you to learn to play separated into left and right hand parts, allowing you to learn to strum and play chords at your own pace.
Chord Training: Start one of the songs and the EZ-AG will show you the chords by lighting the frets. Just press the lighted frets and the chord will sound (the EZ-AG strums for you). You can slow the tempo or put the guitar in "Waiting mode" where it will actually wait for you to press the correct frets and then continue on through the song to the next chord!
Strumming: The EZ-AG plays the chords (left hand part) for you while you concentrate on strumming (right hand part) in time with the music.
Full Play: You strum the chords (both hands together) to the current piece of music.
Sounds like a guitar to me
One of the differences between the EZ-AG and a conventional guitar is the LED and the series of switches that surround it. This control center allows you to:
1. Adjust the volume of the guitar and the balance between the lead voice and song/riff tracks
2. Select a new song
3. Choose a different lesson mode
4. Select a different sound
5. Adjust the tempo
6. Change the tuning using capo controls
7. Select Standard Tuning or one of the Open Tunings.
Buttons are clearly labeled and the guitar is easy to operate. There are a total of 20 voices or sounds for you to choose from including 9 guitar, 8 bass, banjo, shamisen and piano. For learning and playing along with, the guitar comes with 12 songs and 13 riff-based patterns. In addition, the guitar is GM (General MIDI) and Yamaha XF compatible, allowing you to add new songs from your computer via MIDI.
Note: Although the EZ-AG will play back any GM file, the lighted fret learning function will only work with specially designed XF MIDI files like the selection found at yamahamusicsoft.com.
The EZ-AG uses the PA3C AC adaptor (not included.) For portability, you can also play the guitar using batteries. It has a built-in speaker, so no external amplifier is required. However, there is an output jack so that you can connect the guitar to an external amplifier or to headphones (not included.)
MIDI in/out is also built in and, in addition to downloading songs into the Flash ROM, can be used to transmit data (example: note data, strumming etc.) to your favorite sequencing program. With the EZ-AG, learning to play has become as easy as following the lights on a fret board. It not only prepares you for a future of playing, but also makes learning interactive and fun for those who may prefer the guitar to a traditional keyboard.
Don't forget your Survival Kit!
Designed to provide you with everything you need to get started. Includes a Yamaha PA3C Power Adaptor, 2-year extended warranty, Stereo Headphones, Yamaha Survival Kit CD-ROM. read less
It features 6 lighted frets that show beginners the actual hand positions for chords, plus six "strings" that emulate strumming or finger-picking. EZ-AG frets 1 through 6 are illuminated and will glow red when pressed. The onboard selection of songs can be expanded via the Web - songs can be downloaded into the guitar's Flash ROM via MIDI IN/OUT connections and a quick connection to a computer.
This Self Teaching guitar reproduces realistic guitar sounds, bass guitar sounds and the timbres of a banjo, piano and more through its built-in speaker.
Yamaha technology has made the EZ-AG one of the first, and certainly the easiest pathways to playing and having fun with the guitar. You're literally playing in minutes. And, as easy and fun as the EZ-AG is - you're really learning to play.
"Guitar"-type features include volume, tempo, and balance controls, standard and open tuning options, plus an electronic capo for pitch adjustment. You can plug the EZ-AG into a standard guitar amplifier, or use the mini-headphone jack for private practice.
Sore fingers?
No sore fingers because there are no strings to press.
How do I learn to strum?
The EZ-AG lets you learn to strum while it plays the chords.
How do I learn to play chords?
The EZ-AG… read more shows you the notes for chords using the lights.
How do I tune this thing? Which one is the "E" string? "A" string?
This guitar is always in tune - no tuning required.
Where do I buy strings 'cause I just broke one?
No strings required.
It's boring learning to play an instrument with no music to play along with!
The EZ-AG comes with 25 built-in songs and riffs to play along with.
I want to learn to play my favorite song.
Find your favorite MIDI song file on the Internet and transfer it into the EZ-AG.
It's been a month and I'm tired of guitar.
Change the voice on the guitar to a piano or bass sound & play those instruments.
Lighted frets: Help you learn to play
The EZ-AG has 25 built-in songs and riffs for you to learn to play separated into left and right hand parts, allowing you to learn to strum and play chords at your own pace.
Chord Training: Start one of the songs and the EZ-AG will show you the chords by lighting the frets. Just press the lighted frets and the chord will sound (the EZ-AG strums for you). You can slow the tempo or put the guitar in "Waiting mode" where it will actually wait for you to press the correct frets and then continue on through the song to the next chord!
Strumming: The EZ-AG plays the chords (left hand part) for you while you concentrate on strumming (right hand part) in time with the music.
Full Play: You strum the chords (both hands together) to the current piece of music.
Sounds like a guitar to me
One of the differences between the EZ-AG and a conventional guitar is the LED and the series of switches that surround it. This control center allows you to:
1. Adjust the volume of the guitar and the balance between the lead voice and song/riff tracks
2. Select a new song
3. Choose a different lesson mode
4. Select a different sound
5. Adjust the tempo
6. Change the tuning using capo controls
7. Select Standard Tuning or one of the Open Tunings.
Buttons are clearly labeled and the guitar is easy to operate. There are a total of 20 voices or sounds for you to choose from including 9 guitar, 8 bass, banjo, shamisen and piano. For learning and playing along with, the guitar comes with 12 songs and 13 riff-based patterns. In addition, the guitar is GM (General MIDI) and Yamaha XF compatible, allowing you to add new songs from your computer via MIDI.
Note: Although the EZ-AG will play back any GM file, the lighted fret learning function will only work with specially designed XF MIDI files like the selection found at yamahamusicsoft.com.
The EZ-AG uses the PA3C AC adaptor (not included.) For portability, you can also play the guitar using batteries. It has a built-in speaker, so no external amplifier is required. However, there is an output jack so that you can connect the guitar to an external amplifier or to headphones (not included.)
MIDI in/out is also built in and, in addition to downloading songs into the Flash ROM, can be used to transmit data (example: note data, strumming etc.) to your favorite sequencing program. With the EZ-AG, learning to play has become as easy as following the lights on a fret board. It not only prepares you for a future of playing, but also makes learning interactive and fun for those who may prefer the guitar to a traditional keyboard.
Don't forget your Survival Kit!
Designed to provide you with everything you need to get started. Includes a Yamaha PA3C Power Adaptor, 2-year extended warranty, Stereo Headphones, Yamaha Survival Kit CD-ROM. read less
Specs
Specifications
3 play modes:
- Strumming (right hand)
- Chord Training (left hand)
- Full Play (L/R)
12 built-in songs plus 13 guitar riffs to learn and play along with
Flash ROM: download new songs for learning from the Internet
General MIDI compatible: Internet ready
LED gives visual feedback
Volume, tempo, balance and capo controls
20 voices:
- 9 realistic guitars
- 8 bass guitars
- banjo
- shamisen
- piano
Built-in speaker
MIDI In/Out
Headphone jack
Power: 6 'D' batteries or PA130 power adaptor (not included)
3 play modes:
- Strumming (right hand)
- Chord Training (left hand)
- Full Play (L/R)
12 built-in songs plus 13 guitar riffs to learn and play along with
Flash ROM: download new songs for learning from the Internet
General MIDI compatible: Internet ready
LED gives visual feedback
Volume, tempo, balance and capo controls
20 voices:
- 9 realistic guitars
- 8 bass guitars
- banjo
- shamisen
- piano
Built-in speaker
MIDI In/Out
Headphone jack
Power: 6 'D' batteries or PA130 power adaptor (not included)
Documents and Manuals
For support or warranty questions, please contact the manufacturer:
Phone: 714-522-9011
Web: https://usa.yamaha.com/support
Phone: 714-522-9011
Web: https://usa.yamaha.com/support
Reviews
Reviewers gave this product an overall rating of 4 out of 5 stars.
(224 ratings)
Submitted November 13, 2007 by a customer from aol.com
"Great knock around toy. I love being able to use the capo in either direction."
Verified Customer
zZounds has verified that this reviewer made a purchase from us.
I just bought another one.
Sound
Twenty sounds are built in. Six string & twelve string guitar sounds are excellent. Piano, shamisen and slap bass are good. The rest are marginal.
Features
Always in tune of course. The action on the right hand string portion is very good for finger picking. Also most useful is the ability to capo down as well as up. No need to transcribe chords to lower the key to fit your voice. Can't do that with a real guitar. Again with finger picking this flexibility allow me to stick with chord fingerings I'm most comfortable with. So if you are composing or trying to find the right key for your voice all you need to do is press a button to raise or lower the pitch till you find the right fit. The most annoying feature is the pre programmed songs. Hit the wrong button and the thing goes right into playing "Tears in Heaven", which might leave you in tears if you happened to be performing at that moment. If I could figure out how to kill that feature I surely diable it. The built in speaker is adequate for practice but probably not for performance. Also has built in modal & drop tunings available.
Ease of Use
Again, no tuning needed. No strings to change. Turn it on and pick the sound and the key in seconds. Can't beat that. As far as the buttons on the neck are concerned, the action isn't bad, but if you're used to sliding your left fingers down strings… read more while pressing down on them well, you can't do that so well with buttons. The smaller size of the unit took some time for me to get used to. Still can't find a comfortable and stable position for the thing while playing sitting while sitting. The small size though does make it possible to play in unusal positions, for example in a car or lying on your back while sunbathing. Also can be played fairly easily while lying on your back in the dark, which is also interesting since the buttons light up in red when you press them. A simple 3/4 backpack bag gets it done for travelling. Haven't tried taking it on a plane, but it might be acceptible as a carry on.
Quality
It's held up fine after a good deal of use. They could have done a better job on the plastic molded neck. They molded actual frets in the neck. The frets don't do anything because there are buttons. They could have made them a bit lower. Frustrating sometimes to get my finger stuck sliding over a useless fret. Most frustrating thing though is that after you play this for awhile you thing how great it would be if they made a more expensive high quality model. I would be interested if they did. They could make the button action much smoother. I bet they could also design the neck so that you could remove it for travel. If so the thing would just about fit in a gym bag.
Manufacturer Support
The manual is OK. Haven't bothered them for any support. These days one doesn't expect much TLC over a $200 item.
The Wow Factor
It's so ludicrous it's sexy. Sexy like walking around with a pen holder pouch in your pocket or wearing a slide rule on your belt. If you're idea of the ideal mate is someone like Velma from Scooby Doo it might be just the babe magnet you need.
Musical Background:
Hobbyist songwriter singer
Musical Style:
Alt rock & folk, finger picked guitar, read less
Sound
Twenty sounds are built in. Six string & twelve string guitar sounds are excellent. Piano, shamisen and slap bass are good. The rest are marginal.
Features
Always in tune of course. The action on the right hand string portion is very good for finger picking. Also most useful is the ability to capo down as well as up. No need to transcribe chords to lower the key to fit your voice. Can't do that with a real guitar. Again with finger picking this flexibility allow me to stick with chord fingerings I'm most comfortable with. So if you are composing or trying to find the right key for your voice all you need to do is press a button to raise or lower the pitch till you find the right fit. The most annoying feature is the pre programmed songs. Hit the wrong button and the thing goes right into playing "Tears in Heaven", which might leave you in tears if you happened to be performing at that moment. If I could figure out how to kill that feature I surely diable it. The built in speaker is adequate for practice but probably not for performance. Also has built in modal & drop tunings available.
Ease of Use
Again, no tuning needed. No strings to change. Turn it on and pick the sound and the key in seconds. Can't beat that. As far as the buttons on the neck are concerned, the action isn't bad, but if you're used to sliding your left fingers down strings… read more while pressing down on them well, you can't do that so well with buttons. The smaller size of the unit took some time for me to get used to. Still can't find a comfortable and stable position for the thing while playing sitting while sitting. The small size though does make it possible to play in unusal positions, for example in a car or lying on your back while sunbathing. Also can be played fairly easily while lying on your back in the dark, which is also interesting since the buttons light up in red when you press them. A simple 3/4 backpack bag gets it done for travelling. Haven't tried taking it on a plane, but it might be acceptible as a carry on.
Quality
It's held up fine after a good deal of use. They could have done a better job on the plastic molded neck. They molded actual frets in the neck. The frets don't do anything because there are buttons. They could have made them a bit lower. Frustrating sometimes to get my finger stuck sliding over a useless fret. Most frustrating thing though is that after you play this for awhile you thing how great it would be if they made a more expensive high quality model. I would be interested if they did. They could make the button action much smoother. I bet they could also design the neck so that you could remove it for travel. If so the thing would just about fit in a gym bag.
Manufacturer Support
The manual is OK. Haven't bothered them for any support. These days one doesn't expect much TLC over a $200 item.
The Wow Factor
It's so ludicrous it's sexy. Sexy like walking around with a pen holder pouch in your pocket or wearing a slide rule on your belt. If you're idea of the ideal mate is someone like Velma from Scooby Doo it might be just the babe magnet you need.
Musical Background:
Hobbyist songwriter singer
Musical Style:
Alt rock & folk, finger picked guitar, read less
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