This issue’s cover artist, Alicia Keys has already had a successful career—and she has only just begun. When I try to narrow down what to me is the essence of Alicia Keys, two words come to mind...substance and style.

There is obviously substance in everything she does. Her music has depth and emotion that practically oozes off the CD. In performances, her presence combines with her compelling music to connect with the audience. And her charity work with organizations like Keep A Child Alive demonstrates her dedication to more than just her art.

And yet, she has a definable style as well—the purple Yamaha piano she plays in the “Karma” video is a good example. Some would argue that the style portion is really marketing, but the style and the substance are connected to give us the whole picture of the artist. There is no trade off of balance between substance and style. To create the magic, substance and style must work together, as epitomized by Alicia Keys.

As musical instrument makers, we are always looking for that same elusive combination of substance and style in an instrument that connects with musicians on a personal level. Yamaha’s international slogan is “Creating ‘Kando’ Together”. The Japanese word kando is that emotional connection that people feel when substance and style come together and create music, or a product that is not just good—it’s magical.

Most musicians need to have that special connection with their instruments. Our instruments are how we communicate and connect with our audience. Nowhere in the musical instrument world is this connection more personal than with guitars.

At the January 2005 NAMM show, the guitar that people couldn’t stop picking up was the RGX-A2, an other-worldly looking guitar that, because of a combination of design, feel and sound, really connected with guitarists.

One of the ways Yamaha creates magical instruments is by working with artists that already make music that inspires us. Yamaha Guitar Development in North Hollywood, California, works to design those instruments. In one recent project, Yamaha designer John Gaudesi collaborated with Limp Bizkit guitarist Wes Borland, to create his new instrument. Wes plays that guitar in “The Truth” video. The video hit the Limp Bizkit web site (www.limpbizkit.com) well before The Unquestionable Truth, Part 1 was released. We immediately saw the response to the guitar in online discussion groups. People wanted to know what Wes was playing in the video. It looked great. It sounded great. It was magic. The Wes Borland signature model guitar will be available soon.

I hope you find that special connection with the instrument of your choice and enjoy this issue of All Access.

Sincerely,

Tom Sumner
Vice President/General Manager
Pro Audio & Combo Division
Yamaha Corporation of America