Musical instrument companies that offer music classes are turning their attention to Japan's growing elderly market.

More and more elderly people are joining piano or organ lessons, which have traditionally targeted children.

Almost 30,000 students who are 40 years old or older attend Yamaha Corp.'s music classes, up from about 10,000 in 1999.

The company has been aggressively promoting its classes to males by advertising in business magazines. It plans to start a new music course for people who are no younger than 50.

Roland Corp. and Kawai Musical Instruments Manufacturing Co. said the number of elderly students attending their classes has also grown recently.

They said most elderly students want to learn the piano.

"Many elderly people are joining our classes because they have a piano at home," said Masao Abe, an official of Kawai Musical Instruments. "They bought a piano for their children's education a long time ago but haven't used it for years."

The companies have been working to attract more elderly students.

Some classes specially designed for the elderly are being offered, and many music schools are expanding their classrooms to create a more relaxing space for their students.

A music course offered by Roland allows students to choose one favorite music piece and only practice that piece during the entire course. There are also programs planned outside the classrooms.

Yamaha occasionally hosts student concerts and organizes a ukulele concert on a cruiser during a night tour of Tokyo Bay.

A Yamaha official said that group lessons provide the elderly with opportunities to make new friends.

Roland executive Yasuhiro Iimura said the growing elderly market will expand in the future.

"Baby boomers, now at age 50 or more, have grown up with the songs of the Beatles, and they love music," he said.