Yamaha Design Laboratories worked with seven designers to

create seven prototypes – from grand pianos to keyboards – for the Milano

Salone 2008 with the theme “key for you”.

With catchy names like “key between people”, “key for

journey” and “key in cantilever”, Yamaha says the idea behind the product

concepts centers around a “Minimal Element/Maximum effect” to reinterpret the

way we look at the traditional keyboard, and their integration into living

spaces as objet d’art, and in our lifestyles.

For example, the “key for journey” resembles a sketchbook,

with a leather-stitched cover holding a keyboard with chromed keys, and lets

users compose music and sketch the scores down on the move.

The “key in cantilever”, designed by Sam Hecht, appears as

two rectangular slabs of marble, and the piano keyboard is only unveiled when

the recessed top is slid back. Another trick up this white pony’s sleeve is the

cleverly concealed and detachable 89th key, which serves as a remote

control for playback and navigation.

Then there’s the “key between people” by French designer

Yves Plattard, which aims to increase the interaction between pianist and

audience. This is achieved through the unique shape of the grand piano. Guests

get up close and personal with the pianist, as they sit at spatially arranged

seats around the piano, which radiates outwards in a circle.

www.global.yamaha.com