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