Yamaha Makes Playing The Keyboard 'EZ'

LAS VEGAS -Yamaha breaks new ground in interactive teaching keyboard products with the introduction of the EZ20 and EZ30 portable keyboards at CES 2001. The EZ20 and EZ30, with respective estimated street prices of $199.99 and $299.99, are expected to ship in the second quarter of 2001.
"It doesn't matter how great a musical instrument is if you don't know how to play," states Allen Gharapetian, product and marketing manager, Consumer Products Division. "Yamaha has always been involved with music education; its musical instruments used in many schools and institutions, as well as its own successful worldwide music schools. That heritage and expertise has been applied to the new EZ keyboards."

The EZ keyboard is a virtual tutor. Embedded above each key is a light that operates as a guide to tell the user which note to play and when. In addition, the keyboard actually speaks to the user, in English. It will listen to him or her play, and, depending on the performance, respond with encouraging with phrases like, "Try again," or "Excellent!" This virtual tutor will also sing the notes as they play, either using the note's letter name or in solfege syllables (Do, Re, Mi). And, as is the case in most Yamaha keyboards, the sounds have been recorded digitally.

The EZ20 contains a selection of hits and teaching materials in its internal song library, just like a well-versed music teacher. There are also several lesson modes that will allow for right- or left-hand exercises.

The EZ30 contains all the features of the EZ20, with the additional advantage of touch sensitivity, making it more appropriate for use as a piano. In addition, General MIDI compatibility makes the EZ30 Internet-friendly. Sonic quality is enhanced with 32 notes of polyphony, two-way speakers, bass ports and a back-lit LCD display. Another key feature is the ability to download additional songs into a FLASH memory.

The voice of the EZ20 and EZ30's tutor is GRAMMY® Award-winning singer/songwriter Melissa Manchester, an active supporter of children's music education who was fascinated by the idea of an affordable interactive teaching keyboard. Manchester took time away from other projects-including writing music for her upcoming CD and Disney's animated feature, Lady and the Tramp II-to work on this project for Yamaha.

For additional information on Yamaha products, visit www.yamaha.com; telephone (714) 522-9011; or fax (714) 228-3913.

Source: Yamaha