Yamaha's MusicCast could help you learn to play the piano

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By connecting Yamaha's new WXAD-10 AV adapter to a Disklavier or Clavinova, the keyboard can play songs you've streamed to it via MusicCast.

At its booth at Frankfurt's Musikmesse show, Yamaha demonstrated a few more of its new WXAD-10 MusicCast adapter's talents.

Once the WXAD-10 is connected to a piano or keyboard, MusicCast technology can stream audio through compatible speakers - so you hear a live interpretation by the instrument. Yamaha has a select range of songs, in WAV format, available to send wirelessly via MusicCast to the instrument.

Yamaha's focus is primarily educational - it hopes kids will become more invested if they can practice with songs they know.

There are a couple of caveats. Firstly, it only works with select pianos or keyboards: Disklavier (priced at around €18,000 to €28,000) and Clavinova (priced at around €4150). Secondly, the software is not yet sophisticated enough to separate out components of songs so, while the piano can record and play the piano melody once a person has played it, it cannot automatically discern between the harmony, melody, or piano section of a track.

While it's unlikely you'll be using your piano as a hi-fi system any time soon, the extra functionality of the WXAD-10 might pique the interest of those looking to learn piano. As long as they can handle the price.

MORE: Yamaha MusicCast to get Alexa voice-control function this autumn

Adam Smith

Adam was a staff writer for What Hi-Fi?, reviewing consumer gadgets for online and print publication, as well as researching and producing features and advice pieces on new technology in the hi-fi industry. He has since worked for PC Mag as a contributing editor and is now a science and technology reporter for The Independent.