ANAHEIM, Calif.—Yamaha introduces the 88-note Graded Hammer action Arius YDP-161B Digital Piano at Winter NAMM 2011. The new model is perfect for home use as a practice and performance piano and features high-quality AWM Dynamic Sampled piano Voices. The new black walnut finish adds an attractive option to the already popular Arius line and the key action helps build proper finger technique for playing on an acoustic grand piano.

"Anyone who walks into a piano store quickly realizes that the most popular color for pianos is black," said Dane Madsen, marketing manager, Yamaha Electronic Keyboards. "Though Rosewood has become the most common color in digital pianos for decades, the Arius YDP-161B in black walnut will undoubtedly be a welcome color option for digital piano customers."

Providing true piano touch and tone, the YDP-161B is perfect for beginners and experienced pianists alike. The half-damper effect gives players expressive control over sustained sounds when pedaling for a more realistic acoustic piano experience. The two-track song recorder, which captures and reproduces any performance, is ideal as both a musical scratch pad and for using built-in recordings of standard piano repertoire during practice.

Another great feature is the ability to mute either hand of the 50 preset songs, letting players practice each hand independently at their own tempo until they're ready to put the two parts together. Dual headphone jacks allow two people to sit at the instrument and play, practice or teach in privacy without making a sound out of the speaker system. The entire instrument is covered by Yamaha's Rock Solid Reliance warranty covering both parts and labor for three years, which is an exceptional time period for both the home electronics and musical instrument industries.

The YDP 161B (MSRP: $1,899) is expected to ship in February 2011.

For more information about the YDP-161B, visit Yamaha at Winter NAMM 2011 at the Marriott Hotel Marquis Ballroom; 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/press.