Tenori-on Music Device Reaches the U.S.

By Geoff Duncan
June 20, 2008

Yamaha's artsy, 21st-century musical instrument Tenori-on is finally available in the United States...for only about $1,200.

One of the little known ironies of the music world is that that largest maker of musical instruments on the planet isn't a name like Fender, Gibson, or Martin—although those names certainly command a lot of brand recognition. No: it's Japan's Yamaha—its logo with three tuning forks!—the same people who make motorcycles, golf carts, jet skis, and powerboats. And a lot of those instruments—and audio gear—command the respect of industry pros.

Last year, Yamaha partnered with Japanese media artist Toshio Iwai to create the Tenori-on, billed as a 21-st century musical instrument for the iPhone generation. The hand-held device boasts a matrix of 256 LED buttons that illuminate as users press them, enabling access to different sounds and textures over a constantly evolving sequence of notes and sounds. Users literally ...

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