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18 Yamaha Annual Report 2005
Yamaha pianos are played by many of the world’s top pianists in
leading concert halls and other world-renowned conservatories.
Yamaha supplies intensively examined grand pianos for many lead-
ing international piano competitions as their official instruments, and
along with the support offered by many highly skilled piano tuners,
helps expand the world of artistic expression for many up-and-com-
ing young pianists.
To cultivate strong relationships with pianists, Yamaha has oper-
ations offering artist services in Paris, New York and Tokyo. For wind
instruments, Yamaha operates workshops for repairs, maintenance
and adjustments in Frankfurt, Vienna, Grand Rapids (Michigan, USA),
New York and Tokyo. These bases help solidify relationships with
leading musicians.
During the year ended March 2005, Yamaha relocated artist
services operations for pianists in New York to central Manhattan
and also augmented the services offered by wind instrument facili-
ties, in the process creating a new subsidiary. In China, Yamaha
is responding to growing demand for pianos by setting up a new
base of operations for artist communications and the training of
local personnel.
Going forward, Yamaha plans to reinforce its position as the
world’s leading musical instrument manufacturer by combining
efforts to develop better instruments with programs to deepen links
with leading artists across a wide range of genres.
Electronic and digital instruments
World-class digital sound generating technology enables Yamaha’s
home keyboards to produce highly realistic sounds close to those
of original acoustic instruments. Yamaha’s music production equip-
ment like synthesizers are also a mainstay of live musical perform-
ances and music production following always the latest trend in
pop music. As well as instruments in their own right, these music-
production platforms deliver pioneering digital music solutions.
The high-end ElectoneTM model STAGEATM, which was introduced
in March 2004, achieved good volume growth. Direct Internet access
functionality enables STAGEATM users to download song data or con-
duct auditions without the need for a computer. Television commer-
cials and other promotions in Japan primarily targeted young users.
In electronic pianos, Yamaha launched the CLP-F01, a new model
within the ClavinovaTM range based on a novel lifestyle-related interior
design concept. The product was well received in Japan and Western
markets. Yamaha continues to pursue new possibilities in digital musical
instruments, blending innovative design with the latest technology to
develop products that customers will fully enjoy.
Hybrid instruments
Combining acoustic and digital technologies, Yamaha’s hybrid instru-
ments are creating a whole new segment of demand. The DisklavierTM
Mark IV series, a new range of player pianos with the latest automatic
functions, has sold well in the U.S. market since its introduction.
Player pianos remain in demand in the U.S. as entertainment items,
and the increased range of digital functions on the latest models is
expected to help broaden overall usage. For instance, network tech-
nology opens up the novel possibility of piano users enjoying profes-
sional artists’ live performances remotely from the comfort of their
own homes. Similarly, piano lessons could be given over a network,
an idea that Yamaha is currently developing with various music col-
leges in Japan.
First introduced in 1993, the SilentTM series of instruments uses
Yamaha’s advanced sound muting technology to allow players to
rehearse or practice in complete privacy. These instruments have
proven popular with beginners and profession-
als alike around the world, and are even used
in live performances and CD recordings.
The range now includes pianos, guitars, violins
and other string instruments, brass instru-
ments such as the trumpet and Silent session
drumsTM. In the year under review, Yamaha
extended the lineup of the SilentTM series of
pianos, bass and drums.
Another recent hybrid hit is the easy trum-
pet EZ-TPTM, a voice-controlled instrument that
allows even a raw beginner to mimic the sounds
of a real trumpet and enjoy performing. As with
other Yamaha portal instruments such as the
easy guitar EZ-EGTM, this concept is simple
Portable PA System
STAGEPASTM 300
Digital mixing console
PM5D-RH
Review of Operations Musical Instruments
Silent Electric ViolinTM
SV-200