YAMAHA DEBUTS KEIKO ABE SIGNATURE MARIMBA MALLETS

—Range of Hardnesses and Lengths Allows Flexible Expression in Solo or Group Music—

GRAND RAPIDS, MI (August 16, 2002)—Yamaha Corporation of America, Band & Orchestral Division, introduces new signature series mallets used exclusively by Keiko Abe, the founding artist of Yamaha Tuned Percussion. Abe gave a preview of the new mallets at a performance during the Percussive Arts Society International Convention (PASIC) in November.

Keiko MKA-01

The Keiko Abe Signature Series features nine different degrees of soft to hard mallets (MKA–01 through MKA–09) that make it easy for an artist to select a voiced set of four for any musical situation. The hard mallets are heavy and create a full sound from the upper range of the marimba, while the bass mallets pull the fundamental resonance out of the instrument's lower range. These mallets are ideal for solo work as well as concertos, and boast Yamaha's unique thick rattan shafts in a variety of lengths. Each mallet has a unique feature and texture as well as color-coded tape for easy identification during play.

"Yamaha's first-ever signature series of keyboard mallets condenses Abe's talent and expertise—and as seen at recent performances—they are a perfect reflection of her artistry," says Joel Tetzlaff, percussion accessory product specialist, Band & Orchestral Division, Yamaha Corporation of America.

Keiko Abe is linked to the marimba the way Isaac Stern is linked to the violin, or Yo Yo Ma to the cello. She has given master classes at leading music conservatories in North America, Europe, and Asia.

In addition, she has recorded extensively on the Denon label, and has received numerous awards, including being the first woman inducted into the Percussive Arts Society Hall of Fame. Abe is a Professor of Music at Toho Gauken School of Music in Tokyo, maintains a full schedule of composing and touring, and has released more than 20 recordings.

For more information, or write Yamaha Corporation of America, Band & Orchestral Division, 3445 East Paris Ave. SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49518; call (616) 940-4900; send e-mail to infostation@yamaha.com; or visit www.yamaha.com/band.