The Clavinova is a long-running line of digital pianos created by the Yamaha Corporation. The name is a portmanteau of the two words Clavier meaning 'keyboard instrument” and nova meaning “new”. It is similar in function to an acoustic piano but also includes many features common to various electronic keyboards, such as the ability to save/load songs and to play demo songs, including original Yamaha compositions, and the ability to play in a variety of voices. More recent models can be connected to a computer via USB or wireless network for music production or interactive piano lesson programs. In 2023, the Clavinova celebrated the 40th anniversary of its debut in 1983.

Technical information

All current (and many past) Clavinovas (CLP and CVP-Series) feature Yamaha's “Graded Hammer” technology, a mechanical system of small metal hammers, weighted to be similar to those of an acoustic piano. These then activate a digital pressure sensor that then translates into sound. The graded action is intended to reproduce more accurately the varying weights of the hammers of an acoustic piano where the hammers vary in weight from the bass section to the treble. Higher-end models, such as the CVP-600 Series from 2012, incorporate real wooden keys and linear grading for added realism. The built-in synthesizer produces the sound. Early Clavinova models used FM synthesis. Later models use sample-based synthesis to produce the sound. Information comes in a MIDI or similar format either directly from the piano keyboard or a stored source (from within the piano or via a computer or external sequencer). The synthesizer can imitate a large array of acoustic instruments, electronic instruments and other sound effects. Recent models of CVP Clavinova have hundreds of such voices. These usually include many types of pianos and organs, string, percussion, brass and woodwind instruments, as well as modern and vintage synthesizer sounds, sampled effects etc. The more recent CVP models also feature many accompaniment styles, ranging from traditional dance and classical orchestration to more modern club, pop, rock, big band and jazz styles. As of July 2020, the current line of Clavinova CLP models is the CLP-700 series, and the current Clavinova CVP models are the CVP-800 series. In August 2017, Yamaha introduced a new line of tablet computer-enabled Clavinovas, the CSP series, which is designed for use with Yamaha's SmartPianist app to access and control features of the instrument.

Graded hammer

The various graded or progressively weighted keys are:

Keyboard "feel" feature matrix for current models

From Yamaha Clavinova microsite. From Yamaha Product Spec page.

Tone feature matrix for three past generations and current models

From Yamaha Clavinova microsite. From Clavinova Spec page.

History

Clavinovas and their immediate predecessors have been in production since 1983.

Predecessors (YP and CV)

YP (CVP Predecessor)

CV (CLP Predecessor)

CVP and CGP models

CLP models

History reference.

CSP models