Yamaha Design “Synapses” Venova™
2017 / CASUAL WIND INSTRUMENTS
GOOD DESIGN GRAND AWARD
JIDA Design Museum Selection
Design for Asia Awards
German Design Award
A unique instrument with a compact body and authentic sound.
Elegance
We sought to distill the essence of cylindrical acoustic wind instruments. Utilizing unique technology to connect right and left molds with precision, Venova™ achieves the stable performance and appearance as a wind instrument.
Revolutionary
Despite being a cylindrical wind instrument, the Venova™ exhibits the timbre and easy fingering of conical wind instruments due to the compact, simple branched-pipe structure of its cylindrical bore. The relationship between its sinuous form and its branching bore also appears in its logo.
Honest
A dignified elongated topside of the body, combined with a meandering underside. With a form that is like peeling the skin off a fruit to see its flesh, it has a structure that demands to be seen. By reducing the distance between tone holes to achieve a simplified structure, we have created a unique shape that is functional as a musical instrument.
Tactile
The difference in textures is impressive, having a lustrous surface across its entire body, and textured internal areas where the fingers do not touch. The parting lines are covered improving the finger-feel on the tone holes.
Inspiring
An instrument with a presence similar to that of a wind instrument and an exterior that lends it a casual air, and which allows players to enjoy authentic performance. The Venova allows people to begin playing with ease, then guides them to a broader worlds of musical expression as they gain proficiency.
Instantly-usable
Fingering similar to that of the familiar soprano recorder allows the Venova to be used with ease in a range of situations. It can be carried in a case over the shoulder outdoors, or played together with other friends—the possibilities for musical enjoyment are endless.

- Keizo Tatsumi
- Designer
- Yamaha Design Laboratory