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Innovative Instruments

Please scroll down to view all innovative instruments: bandoneonbook, the Samchillian Tippie, the Continuuum Fingerboard, the Kelstone, etc.

Hans W. KOCH (http://www.hans-w-koch.net/ ) build alternative electronic instruments like the Bandoneonbook (it's a Apple Pismo Powerbook), which filters and tunes the feedback of the internal microphone through a Max-patch (music software). Koch evokes the sound by playing the keys of the computer keyboard and by opening and closing the lid for dynamic control of the sound.


The Samchillian Tip Tip Tip Cheeepeeeee is an innovative keyboard MIDI controller created by Leon Gruenbaum (US) based on changes of pitch, rather than fixed pitches. This design gives the performer the ability to perform extremely quick, rhapsodical lines in any key or scale without having to learn new fingering. Each key on the keyboard does not denote a fixed pitch, as it would on a normal keyboard, but rather a change of pitch. A user first selects a scale and a key (e.g. F# pentatonic), and then every note played will be in that set of notes. For example a key might be the "+1" key, which when pressed would sound the note one higher than the last note played in the selected note set; another might be "-2", and so on. By playing these two keys in rapid succession, for example, one would hear the following spiralling pattern: C#, G# (down), A# (up), F# (down), G# (up), D# (down) etc. Also the user is able to select from a number of scales, including microtonal scales and key signatures. A pattern, or "harmonic contour", once learned, can then be played in any key or scale without needing to relearn fingering.

The user is able to select from a number of scales - including microtonal scales - and key signatures. In addition, there is a pattern mode, in which a sequence is recorded in real-time and can then be manually replayed - forwards, backwards or skipping through the sequence as the user desires.

The instrument consists of a computer keyboard, which is strapped around the waist, which plugs into a pedalboard containing the circuitry that generates MIDI information. In its current incarnation, the instrument utilizes an ergonomic computer keyboard made by Kinesis®, which has been extensively modified.


The Continuum Fingerboard is designed by Lippold Haken and manufactured by Haken Audio. The Continuum Fingerboard is a new Midi / Firewire tactile controller that allows realtime musical control. It resembles a traditional polyphonic 88 note Midi keyboard in that it is approximately the same size, however the Continuum offers realtime continous control in three directions for every finger that is placed on the playing surface (a strip of red cloth sheet that feels dynamically) . The Continuum is compatible with any Midi synthesizer, sound module, or sequencer. On the surface it is a strip of cloth sheet that feels "gushy" to the touch. But when you place your fingers on it sound comes out (assuming you have it connected up to some kind of synth). The Continuum can be a virtual saxophon, a polyphonic microtonal keyboard, a raga performer, a pitch sliding dumppiano (sanza) etc. A half sized model ( 4 octaves) can be purchased for under 4000 US Dollar!! http://www.hakenaudio.com/Continuum/


The Kelstone is an electric guitar with 18 strings for two hands like a keyboard, it's a mix of an electric bassguitar and a keyboard. The Kelstone has twice a 5-octave range, together 7 octaves. Jan VAN KELST (Belgium) developped his new instrument to compose, arrange, accompany, only with two hands.

Listen to a tremendous excerpt on the KELST website (http://www.kelst.be/html/index.html) > Video/20070506-1.mov


Last but not least, I'm fascinated by low budget inspired modifications like Adam's intention to mount the Kaoss Pad 1 (KP-1) touch pad (xy) controller into the guitar, and modify the electronics on both the touch screen in the guitar etc. (http://kaosspad.blogspot.com/)

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