Sustainability in Yamaha Pianos:
A Design Pursuing Expressiveness
and Circular Consumption

Yamaha's Definition of a "Good Piano"

Yamaha’s piano making philosophy is rooted in the idea that an instrument is more than a physical object—it responds to the performer’s touch and reveals deeper tone over years of playing.

A piano can last 50, 100, or more years. Some pianos made more than 100 years ago still produce a rich sound. Well maintained pianos often develop a deeper tone over time.

We design and manufacture pianos with a deep respect for the relationship between performers and their musical instruments. In fact, customers have shared that they "enjoy playing as if interacting with the piano" and that "after years of playing, the piano now responds to [their] touch."

For us, the most important aspect of piano craftsmanship is achieving exceptional expressiveness —responsiveness that can respond to the performer's subtle nuances.

A piano responds to the performer’s expression, and over time the performer and instrument influence one another, allowing musical expression to deepen. To support this relationship, a piano with such responsiveness must be designed to endure long-term use.

Yamaha's definition of "making good pianos" is based on these characteristics of the piano as a musical instrument.

"Making Good Pianos" is Sustainable

A piano's longevity, allowing it to accompany its owner throughout life, and its ability to develop rich sound over time are inextricably linked to what makes it a "good piano." We believe that crafting good musical instruments is inherently a highly sustainable endeavor.

The key to Yamaha piano design and manufacturing is to achieve a unified sound throughout the entire instrument. What becomes crucial here is the quality control of the wood, which accounts for about 90% of the instrument's volume, particularly the drying of the wood prior to processing.

Furthermore, Yamaha's extensive experience and technical expertise are poured into the handling of this wood, including the bonding and joining processes at dozens of joints between pieces.

Treat wood and other natural resources with care for as long as possible. These factors also lead us to believe that pursuing high-quality piano craftsmanship is sustainable.

Ensuring Longevity While Maintaining the Piano's High Performance

For piano craftsmanship that continues to accompany performers for decades, quality verification tests across multiple design stages are also indispensable.

For example, environmental testing to confirm that it does not lose functionality even after prolonged exposure to high temperatures and humidity is also part of this process. The internal mechanism of the keyboard, known as the "action," has been tested under conditions simulating a vast number of keystrokes to ensure it can withstand long-term performance.

Only pianos whose quality has been verified through numerous tests, such as those represented here, become products and qualify to be released to the market.

It is also inevitable that parts will need adjustment or replacement when using an instrument for many years. Yamaha is also committed to creating an environment where customers can enjoy many years with their piano.

Yamaha has established a global network of service centers and skilled technicians, providing an environment where users can continue to enjoy their pianos with peace of mind. Additionally, we are focusing on training piano technicians at our in-house training institution, the Piano Technical Academy.

Giving a Treasured Piano a New Lease on Life

Yamaha Certified Reconditioned Pianos represent our unique initiative toward achieving sustainability for Yamaha pianos, complementing our continued focus on quality and the development of our after-sales support system.

Yamaha Certified Reconditioned Pianos are Yamaha's official used pianos. This initiative has existed for over 20 years, but its value is being reevaluated amid growing global interest in the SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals) and the circular economy.

What is crucial in our Certified Reconditioned Piano initiative is that it is not merely about buying and selling used instruments. When we manufacturers guarantee quality, it not only allows the next owner to enjoy their piano with peace of mind, but also gives a piano that has been treasured a new lease on life.

The initiative reflects our commitment to a circular economy and our respect for customers’ attachment to their pianos.

Meanwhile, encouraging customers to continue using their pianos over the long term presents certain challenges from a business perspective. What matters to us is offering users the choice between new pianos and high-quality used pianos. The Certified Reconditioned Piano initiative is a vital undertaking within Yamaha's piano business to deliver on its core values.

Crafting a Good Piano Contributes to Well being in This New Era.

Crafting good musical instruments contributes to sustainability.

Through our pursuit of high quality, enhanced after-sales support, and the development of Certified Reconditioned Piano systems, we aim not only to bring the piano to more people but also to ensure our customers can enjoy their instruments for as long as possible.

We believe that by building pianos we consider truly “good” and by keeping them in the hands of players for many years, we can help unlock the full value that instruments bring to people’s lives—and, in turn, support the growth of musical culture. We will continue to take on new challenges to enhance the well being of those who love music.

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