Calling All Freestylers: Yamaha Keyboards USA Launches Freestyle Performance Contest

BUENA PARK, Calif. — Seeking out the talents of Yamaha Clavinova and arranger keyboard users nationwide, Yamaha Keyboards USA is thrilled to launch the Yamaha Freestyle Performance Contest. The contest will demonstrate how the Style content found in Yamaha instruments like Clavinova CVP digital pianos and arranger keyboards provide a simple and powerful way for a single musician to deliver a total performance – completely arranged and controlled in real time. Entering is easy and the winner takes home a new Tyros 4 Arranger Keyboard valued at over $6,000!

"This contest is designed to showcase both the quality sound of these instruments and the creative talent of the people who use them," said Dane Madsen, Yamaha Electronic Keyboard Marketing Manager. "We're looking for the ultimate performance using Yamaha Style technology and we can't wait to see what amazing videos these instruments will inspire."

Anyone with access to a MegaVoice-equipped instrument, a digital video camera and an Internet connection can participate. Simply capture your performance on video and upload it to the dedicated contest web site, www.yamaha.com/freestyle, between February 1 and March 31, 2011 for your chance to win.

If you don't currently own a qualifying CVP Clavinova or Yamaha arranger keyboard, no problem. Simply enter your zip code into the FreeStyle dealer locator to find a store in your area with instruments on display where you can capture video of your performance. Videos of FreeStyle finalists will be posted on the FreeStyle homepage on April 11, 2011, where voting opens to the public and a winner will be declared.

The contest is open to any US resident over the age of 18 (employees of Yamaha Corporation of America are not eligible). See contest rules for full details.

Entrants may us any MegaVoice-equipped CVP Clavinova or arranger keyboard capable of capturing a .WAV audio file of their performance (the audio and video are submitted together when entering the contest). This includes the following models:

Performance Specifics

Performances can be any piece or song from any genre of music; they simply need to include Yamaha's accompaniment Style content as part of the performance. Videos must be one take, non-edited, where the full keyboard showing the performer's hands playing and/or operating the Style controls is within view. Any background or accompaniment elements must be generated live from the keyboard's Style engine. Playing along with pre-recorded audio or MIDI files is not allowed in this competition. Contestants who wish to perform using vocals (either themselves or with a vocalist) are required to use the microphone input of the instrument to capture the performance all in one take. While the use of vocals is allowed, judging will be weighted primarily on creative use of the keyboard.

A panel of judges will review all videos looking for two key elements, each comprising 50% of the total score―Style Performance: creative use of Style elements such as Intros, Fills, Breaks, Variations and Endings; and Keyboard Performance: Voice selection, playing style, execution of the arrangement, and vocals (if used). Judges will narrow down qualified performances to a list of finalists that will be posted on the contest website on April 11, 2011. Viewers will then vote on which video will become the final winner.

Visit the contest website at http://www.yamaha.com/freestyle.

Follow Yamaha Keys US on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/yamahakeysus.

For more information, write Yamaha Corporation of America, P.O. Box 6600, Buena Park, CA 90622; telephone (714) 522-9011; e-mail infostation@yamaha.com; or visit www.yamaha.com.