Using AI, 24-year-old Kiwa Usami, a Japanese musician with cerebral palsy, joined the Yokohama Sinfonietta at Suntory Hall in Tokyo to perform Beethoven’s Ode to Joy on Thursday. Usami was one of three disabled musicians who took part in this historic performance of Symphony No. 9. The musicians were assisted by the innovative Anybody’s Piano, a breakthrough AI technology that enabled them to play beyond their physical limitations.
A Revolutionary AI-Powered Piano
The Anybody’s Piano was developed by Yamaha in collaboration with Usami’s teacher. The technology tracks the notes being played and automatically adds the missing keys that a musician might not be able to press. This ensures a seamless performance, even when physical challenges prevent a musician from hitting every note.
Usami’s journey inspired the development of the piano. Despite her cerebral palsy, she started playing the piano at a young age, using just one finger. Her dedication to music encouraged her teacher to work with Yamaha on creating an instrument that could help musicians with disabilities perform at the highest level.
Empowering Other Disabled Musicians
Alongside Usami, 10-year-old Yurina Furukawa also performed with the Anybody’s Piano. Furukawa has congenital myopathy, a rare muscle condition that requires breathing assistance. She performed from a bed positioned in front of the grand piano, relying on the AI-powered instrument to help her play.
The Anybody’s Piano also provided real-time feedback. Unlike traditional auto-play systems, the piano stops immediately if the musician hits the wrong notes, encouraging accuracy and synchronization with the orchestra. This feature created a powerful sense of pressure to stay in rhythm with the piece.
Overcoming Limitations with Technology
Another performer, 39-year-old Hiroko Higashino, was born with only three fingers on her right hand. She had not played piano until the Anybody’s Symphony No. 9 concert program was announced. Higashino explained that the Anybody’s Piano made it possible for her to more faithfully recreate Beethoven’s music. “If the piano helps me and adds two missing keys for me, I can more faithfully recreate the rich harmony, the music that Beethoven intended to express,” she said.
A Historic Performance
The Anybody’s Piano made this performance of Beethoven’s Ode to Joy not only possible but also deeply meaningful. The event demonstrated how technology can break down barriers and provide musicians with disabilities the opportunity to perform at the highest artistic level. With this innovative tool, the musicians were able to bring Beethoven’s masterpiece to life, proving the transformative power of inclusive innovation in classical music.
