Yamaha Pianos

International music innovation: Yamaha pianos

Yamaha pianos were first produced in 1900 with the upright piano. Two years later, Yamaha unveiled its first grand piano and began to gain recognition throughout the world for manufacturing quality pianos. By 1904, yamaha pianos had received the Honorary Grand Prize at the St. Louis World's Fair.

Before Yamaha made pianos, they were in the organ business. In 1897, Torakusu Yamaha built his first reed organ and started to make and sell them based on custom orders. In 10 years, he would found Nippon Gakki Co. with himself as president and export 78 organs the first year. After the success of their pianos, however, Yamaha began to venture into other instrument markets. In 1914, Yamaha began producing and exporting harmonicas. By 1942, Yamaha had spread out to phonographs, pipe organs and acoustic guitars.

Yamaha Corp. did not stop at musical instruments. They soon began venturing into motorcycles, electronics, and stereo equipment. By spreading out their resources, you would expect their dedication to music would wane, but that was not the case. Yamaha continued to devote themselves to bringing the world better musical instruments, both electronic and acoustic. Yamaha pianos were no exception. Even today, Yamaha is still considered a major player in the music world, featuring top class instruments and academies all over the world. Yamaha pianos have the tradition of excellence and the determination in creating new innovations that make them dependable and cutting edge.