Introducing Yamaha Silent Pianos

First launched by Yamaha in c1993, a Silent Piano combines acoustic and digital piano technologies, enabling the pianist to mute the strings of the piano and hear a digital sound when wearing headphones. Utilising technology derived from their class leading Clavinova series digital pianos, including useful features such as recording, MIDI connectivity and audio outputs, a Yamaha Silent piano is a perfect compromise for those who require the touch, tonality and elegance of an acoustic piano yet find that playing an acoustic instrument is not always convenient.

Unlike other manufacturers, Yamaha produces a Silent version of each model in their piano lineup. Every piano is designed to incorporate a Silent system, which is fitted at the Yamaha factory during the manufacturing process, to further ensure there is no compromise on its performance as an acoustic piano. Two systems are currently available, the SC3 system on the b Series uprights and GB1 baby grand, with the higher specification SH3 system fitted to P, U, YUS, SE and SU series uprights, along with GC, CX, SX and CF series grands. 

Perfect acoustic piano sound reproduction

At the heart of an SC3 and SH3 Silent piano is an acoustic instrument, pefectly playable without headphones and without compromising on touch or tonal quality. Activate the Silent mode and select from the sound of two meticulously sampled concert grand pianos, the highly acclaimed Yamaha CFX and world renowned Bosendorfer Imperial.

Yamaha Silent pianos feature a newly developed non-contact sensor system, cleverly interpretting how the acoustic piano would respond to the movements of the pianists fingers and adjusting the sound accordingly. A specially created algorythm simulates the precise movements of the hammers as they strike the strings, perfectly reproducing the performance as it would be played in acoustic mode. With proprietary modelling technologies including Grand Expression Modelling and Virtual Resonance Modelling, Yamaha Silent pianos accurately recreate the subtle tonal changes and resonances produced as the hammers strike the strings and the sound resonates throughout the piano.

Intuitive user interface

Yamaha's Smart Pianist app opens up new ways to explore and make music. Serving as the control interface for the Silent system's wealth of features, app based technology removes the need for an unsightly control box affixed to the piano, connecting wirelessly via your home network. Smart Pianist can also analyse music in your iTunes library and automatically produce a basic piano chord chart, also displaying the score for the built in songs and lesson features.

Key features