Clavinova Digital Piano Gives Rise To Unique Ensemble Performing Group
BUENA PARK, Calif. In search of an exceptional new piano and on a mission to inspire and motivate her students, Florida-based piano teacher Chris Mori was surprised to find one instrument that held the key to both goals: The Yamaha Clavinova digital piano. "I walked into the Piano Distributors store and the farthest thing from my mind was to buy a digital piano," admits Mori, a Juilliard-trained classical pianist and long-time performer with the Florida Orchestra. But since purchasing the Clavinova, her acoustically-oriented mindset has been transformed.
Mori has since seen her teaching practice revitalized, with students of all ages becoming increasingly motivated through the use of the instrument's technological features and accompaniments. "I have an acoustic piano and a Clavinova in my classes," muses Mori. "The kids love the Clavinova, they fight for it. They don't even realize its benefit."
"Most kids don't have the opportunity to play in an ensemble or orchestral setting," continues Mori, noting that the instrument helps students improve rhythm, which can be a challenge to developing pianists. "It's like being in a large chamber orchestra. The kids learn to listen to one another. Even our 'babies,' at age four or five, learn to count and to listen to multiple melodic lines. They absolutely love this instrument."
The overwhelming response to the Clavinova also had an unanticipated effect: it helped give rise to a new performing group The Florida All-Clavinova Ensemble (FACE). Along with Piano Distributors' product specialist Theo Boylan, Mori initiated the concept of an all-Clavinova performing group to more fully capitalize on the piano's versatility as a teaching and performing tool. Named for the space notes on the treble clef, the group ranges in age from five to 50 years old. The performers use multiple Clavinovas, with one to two players per instrument, utilizing the instrument's keyboard splitting and transposing capability to offer everyone a performance opportunity.
Piano Distributors continues to provide support to the group, offering them the opportunity to rehearse and perform recitals at the store and at other local performance venues.
"It's a constant evolution; we learn new things every day," raves Mori, also noting that the instrument taps into kids' natural affinity for technology. One student, Andrew Granholm, even taught himself how to save song and style settings onto a disk, to accelerate set up time, for performance and practice.
"The Clavinova is a great instrument," declares the eleven-year-old Granholm. "Not only can I use it to practice my classical pieces, I can make it sound like another instrument. Best of all, FACE gives me the opportunity to belong to a music group, and we sound like an orchestra or a band even though we are all playing pianos. That is awesome!"
Nine-year-old Zoe Schaffel, who has been playing piano since she was five, concurs. "I love the Clavinova because you can make it sound like anything you want. We really do sound like a whole orchestra. I love the way people smile when they watch us play."
For more information, write Yamaha Corporation of America, Piano Division, P.O. Box 6600, Buena Park, CA 90622; telephone (714) 522-9011; or email infostation@yamaha.com.
About Yamaha:
Yamaha Corporation of America manufactures a complete line of musical instruments, professional audio products, customer-driven support products and computer-based products targeted to both the amateur and professional markets.
 The Clavinova CVP 309 |
"Most kids don't have the opportunity to play in an ensemble or orchestral setting," continues Mori, noting that the instrument helps students improve rhythm, which can be a challenge to developing pianists. "It's like being in a large chamber orchestra. The kids learn to listen to one another. Even our 'babies,' at age four or five, learn to count and to listen to multiple melodic lines. They absolutely love this instrument."
The overwhelming response to the Clavinova also had an unanticipated effect: it helped give rise to a new performing group The Florida All-Clavinova Ensemble (FACE). Along with Piano Distributors' product specialist Theo Boylan, Mori initiated the concept of an all-Clavinova performing group to more fully capitalize on the piano's versatility as a teaching and performing tool. Named for the space notes on the treble clef, the group ranges in age from five to 50 years old. The performers use multiple Clavinovas, with one to two players per instrument, utilizing the instrument's keyboard splitting and transposing capability to offer everyone a performance opportunity.
Piano Distributors continues to provide support to the group, offering them the opportunity to rehearse and perform recitals at the store and at other local performance venues.
"It's a constant evolution; we learn new things every day," raves Mori, also noting that the instrument taps into kids' natural affinity for technology. One student, Andrew Granholm, even taught himself how to save song and style settings onto a disk, to accelerate set up time, for performance and practice.
"The Clavinova is a great instrument," declares the eleven-year-old Granholm. "Not only can I use it to practice my classical pieces, I can make it sound like another instrument. Best of all, FACE gives me the opportunity to belong to a music group, and we sound like an orchestra or a band even though we are all playing pianos. That is awesome!"
Nine-year-old Zoe Schaffel, who has been playing piano since she was five, concurs. "I love the Clavinova because you can make it sound like anything you want. We really do sound like a whole orchestra. I love the way people smile when they watch us play."
For more information, write Yamaha Corporation of America, Piano Division, P.O. Box 6600, Buena Park, CA 90622; telephone (714) 522-9011; or email infostation@yamaha.com.
About Yamaha:
Yamaha Corporation of America manufactures a complete line of musical instruments, professional audio products, customer-driven support products and computer-based products targeted to both the amateur and professional markets.