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”.

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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.^[1] More recent models can be connected to a computer via USB or wireless network for music production or interactive piano lesson programs.

In 2018, the Clavinova celebrated the 35th anniversary of its invention in 1983.^[2]

All current (and many past) Clavinova’s (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.

The various graded or progressively weighted keys are:^[3]

• Graded Hammer Standard (GHS), formerly Hammer Effect (HE) or Action Effect (AE)
• Graded Hammer (GH or sometimes GHE), somewhat heavier than GHS. GH is also closer to the weight of real piano keys.
• Graded Hammer 3 (GH3), like GH, but GH3 incorporate a third sensor, thus making the key respond more like "grand piano" behaviour. GH3 allows the player to trigger the sound when depressed a second time, even when the note is still decaying, and the player has not completely released the key after the first push of the key. This makes some techniques such as a soft legato "trill" easier to execute.
• Graded Hammer 3X (GH3X) keyboard features an "escapement" mechanism that reproduces a slight clicking sensation near the bottom of the key travel. It has been designed in such a way that the click is discernible only on the lightest keystrokes, similar to the keyboard of a grand piano.^[4]
• Natural Wood (NW) is graded like the GH3 but also uses spruce wood to make the feeling even closer to that of the acoustic grand piano.
• Natural Wood X (NWX) provides the keys of the NW keyboard, yet also has escapement, giving an even more accurate feel.
• GrandTouch Keyboard has a longer key length. The longer distance between the edge of the key and its pivot point means that it requires less strength to push down.^[5]
• 88-key Linear Graded Hammers provide 88 levels of gradation (each key has its own weight). With NWX, it has the most accurate feel of any of the Clavinovas, although also found on some NW keyboards.

From Yamaha Clavinova microsite.^[6] From Yamaha Product Spec page.^[7]

From Yamaha Clavinova microsite.^[12] From Clavinova Spec page.^[13]

Clavinovas and their immediate predecessors have been in production since 1983. ^[14]

• Piano acoustics