Cool Music Instrument
is created by the artist singer-composer Priscilla Hernandez and contains articles and reviews of all kind of amazing instruments. Don't forget to visit our sponsors page which have kindly donated an instrument for our enjoyment and review.
Do you want to make a very special gift?
Look at this fantasy illustrated music album
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Do you have a video on youtube playing an instrument or have found someone playing an instrument or explaining techniques? Then...
This is an instrument I invented almost 10-years ago. I recently revived it and started running it through a digitech RP1000 guitar processor for the stringed part. The didgeridoo is simply miced and run through a PA with some reverb.
-Andy Graham andygraham.net
Michael Zarimis is presenting the Misa Digital Kitara an experimental new instrument, similar to an electric guitar in shape, but with an interface designed to easily and intuitively control digital audio.
Hevia is a world wide known bagpipe performer (Celtic Folk) from Asturias, Spain. He has launched his own trademark electronic MIDI bagpipes. The cool of thing of them! they're portable and easy to travel with (fitting as aircraft hand luggage so you don't have to risk it) and also they have all the versatile functions of the MIDI so you can make it sound virtually as anything you could imagine. You can read more at the official website of this bagpipes at:
Right now they come with custom software with ready to go sounds (including samples of several European bagpipes as well as other instruments) that works in MAC computers but they're developing it for the use in PC and Windows systems shortly. Bagpipes have a midi controller and can work via USB or bluetooth autonomous up to 25 meters, and will sound through the speakers of your computer system. What does it mean? that if you're a happy piper that likes to perform all day but your neighbors hate you and menace to kick you out of the building... yay, you can do cool things like lowering the volume of your instrument and of course make it sound like a completely different thing with VST (virtual instruments) or any sound from your sampler. Below you can see a demonstration and also how small it is packaged and folded to travel with. Cute huh?
The price of the new Hevia Electronic Bagpipes MBS 300 is 1.999 euros + 18% VAT (depending on the country) + shipping expenses. If you are interested in purchasing a set you can write directly to their email info@heviaelectronicbagpipes.com and ask them for more information or how proceed with the payment.
My only complaint remark is that the trademark is printed a bit too big in the instrument, a more subtle trademark would have made it a bit more elegant, still I'd not mind to have one, snif! :)
"Jal" means water, "Tarang" means Vibration. The Jal Tarang is a melodic percussive instrument used in India and used in classical repertoire of music from this country. The ceramic bowls are tuned with water and played with bamboo sticks in both hands.
The air piano was invented by Omer Yosha in Germany . First prototypes came out in 2008 Yes it's called a "piano" but it has no keys neither you need to play "keys" to make it work. Yes, it looks like magic while your hands move in the air. Somehow I feel (as piano player myself) that maybe "air piano" was not the right name for it as I'd say it's more a "digital controller" but I guess that as it looks similar to a keyboard this came to mind to his creator. It looks in fact like magic and offers so many possibilities!
Above: Omer Yosha (inventor of the Air piano)
The hardware (which by the way is built in an elegant walnut wood and dark red acrylic glass) makes no sounds on its own and it needs to work connected with a computer (MAC or PC) via an USB port and works like a MIDI and OSC (open sound control) controller, so how does the airpiano sound? It does sound however you want it to... considering you can link it to any VST (virtual instrument) of your library, with the eye catchy fact that you don't need (like the theremin) to touch in order to make it sound but they are in fact completely different instruments both in concept and way of being played..Still the fact that you seem to play the "invisible" air in both of this instruments sure you'll catch the curiosity of your audience as performer. The air piano has a layout The airpiano comes with its own software to control it and it has a matrix of 24 discrete keys and 8 faders which are not on the screen but above arranged in a touch-free interface. each assigned with MIDI messages ready to be triggered. The length of a triggered note is equivalent to the time a hand is placed on the corresponding virtual key, which is also confirmed by LED feedback.
The airpiano software allows setting the device in numerous ways and since there are no “rules” of how to play an airpiano, new creative ideas and playing techniques will come to life!. Good thing is that is rather small ( 960 x 160 x 26 mm) and lightweight (less than 3 Kg) making it rather portable.
More info at the official site of the airpiano. They offer a downladable zip brochure with the specifications.
Price in europe is 1099 Eur including shipping, so a bit pricy, but looks intuitive and really versatile specially for performers in electronica music and solo acts
Below you can see a demonstration of the air piano made by Jo Hamilton. A british artist that has become one of the most reknown performers of this instrument and first artist using regularly on tour.
Longer version with more details in this other video.
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