Yamaha keyboard/notepad hybrid

Compose your song, then write it down...
Compose your song, then write it down...

While many of us are now using our laptops as fully-fledged production studios, it seems that Yamaha has devised a musical notebook of a different kind.

Via Engadget, we´ve learned of the ‘Key For Journey´ - a keyboard/sketchpad hybrid that was on show at the Milano Salone design exhibition in Italy.

So, how does it work? We´re not sure, to be honest; our suspicion is that the keyboard probably has a built-in piano sound and a headphones socket so that you can write songs on-the-go. A USB output would make sense, too, though we can´t see where this might fit.

Presumably, the notepad has been included so that you jot down your ideas - be they lyrics, melodies, chord progressions or anything else.

We should stress that this is very much a concept product, but it´s certainly an interesting one. Whether it really offers anything over and above a laptop, though - those keys look too small to be used for anything other than simple note input - is open to debate.

You can check out more of Yamaha´s concept pianos here.

MusicRadar

MusicRadar is the number one website for music-makers of all kinds, be they guitarists, drummers, keyboard players, DJs or producers...

GEAR: We help musicians find the best gear with top-ranking gear round-ups and high-quality, authoritative reviews by a wide team of highly experienced experts. TIPS: We also provide tuition, from bite-sized tips to advanced work-outs and guidance from recognised musicians and stars. STARS: We talk to musicians and stars about their creative processes, and the nuts and bolts of their gear and technique. We give fans an insight into the craft of music-making that no other music website can.