Classical piano improvisation is the order from Gabriela Montero
March 31, 2009
While there’s some element of improvisation (interpretation is probably a better word to describe it) in all performances of classical piano music, pianist Gabriela Montero takes this to a different level by taking requests from the audience and improvising her show.
What might be sacrilege to some, she incorporates soap opera themes, pop music tunes and even nursery rhymes into her original works.
Sounds interesting. You can catch some of her work on her MySpace page (how many classically trained pianists have that, I wonder) or her official web site. Certainly sound like an impressively talented musician however she chooses to interpret the classics.
(Via BlogTO)
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iPhone gets Star Guitar synthesiser
March 30, 2009
The number of music applications available for the iPhone just keeps growing, with Star Guitar being just one.
Amidio Software, creators of noise.io, put together an app that lets you play guitar in a variety of styles from a single touchscreen interface.
144 of the most common chords can be played just by tapping a few buttons on the interface, and there are several varieties of guitar and style available.
Unlike some software, the app isn’t designed to simulate the method of playing the guitar, but instead is meant to inspire and to provide an adequate “stand in” when you don’t have a real guitar or guitarist available.
It also allows vocals to be recorded along with the chords, and compositions can be saved in WAV file format and also used with the iPhone’s Beatmaker sequencing software.
Of course it’s not a perfect substitute for a real guitar but it can aid in composition, impromptu performances and just having fun.
Here’s a video demo of the app in action. It currently costs US$3.99 and can be downloaded from the iTunes App Store now.
Popularity: 1% [?]
Casio CK-500 unearthed by Retro Thing
March 17, 2009
Now this has got to be one of the most bizarre keyboards I’ve seen in a long time. Of course, at the time the Casio CK-500 was cutting edge, but now it shouts 1980 very loudly with all the retro stuff it has on it.
Even ignoring the fact it’s got a dual cassette deck which can be used for dubbing tapes (remember doing that), the whole thing just looks so ancient.
Bohus at Retro Thing describes the electronic beauty that he still owns:
The keyboard is nothing special – it’s the same guts as their MT-68. It’s got those same lovable analog “blip blip” rhythms that you fell in love with on the organ at your grandma’s. The tones aren’t anything really remarkable either, though the built in mixer to adjust the volume on the various automated parts of your performance are a nice touch. To get started, just hit a punch-button to dial up your instrument sound, then select between a dozen rhythms and auto-accompaniment styles.
The real eye-catcher here is the dual-well stereo tape deck. The A & B decks are switched from where you might expect them to be, but you can still easily dub tapes (though not with a single touch as many decks of the era). Now if we could only figure out those cool turntablist tricks on dual tape decks.The buttons ka-chunk satisfyingly into place – no servos here! Another interesting aspect is that the radio features AM, FM, and shortwave. So if you’ve got six D cells tearing a hole in your pocket, you can bring the CK-500 along on your boat or while you’re DXing around the country, and not miss any of the thrills of shortwave radio.
I almost feel like getting hold of one of these just to record and mash up some weird sound mixes. I probably won’t though. For a start, I don’t own any cassette tapes any more.
(Via Retro Thing)
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Sante Auriti to demonstrate Steinway casemaking in New York City
March 16, 2009
For a fortnight from today, renowned Steinway & Sons casemaker and craftsman will be moving his workspace to the front window of the Steinway Hall in New York City for a unique exhibition of Steinway craftsmanship.
Though each handmade Steinway piano takes a year to complete, this demonstration will show Sante fitting the braces, fitting and gluing the case mouldings, rough carving the bottom edge of the rim and fitting the legs of a new Steinway Louis XV (Model 501A) grand piano.
“The mission of Steinway & Sons founder Henry E. Steinway was to build the best piano possible,” said Dan Miceli, Senior Director of Retail Sales for Steinway & Sons. “We have always been committed to maintaining the talent, diligence and tradition of expert workmanship unique to the Steinway family of piano builders, and having Sante showcase his craft will be an exciting and fascinating exhibition.”
Auriti, a native of Italy, emigrated to the United States in 1979 and started his career with Steinway & Sons. During his illustrious 30-year career he has worked at Steinway as machine operator and soundboard specialist, but his current position of casemaker charges him with the responsibility of crafting one of Steinway’s most exclusive and beautiful pianos. Auriti’s career has been documented in many national and international reviews.
“One of the most fascinating things about Steinway pianos is the process through which they are created,” said Todd Sanders, Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Steinway & Sons. “This is a rare glimpse behind the curtain to see that artistry in action. Sante’s hands are pure magic. I’m so glad we’re going to share this experience with the community.”
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Yamaha shows off its “AvantGrand” hybrid digital/acoustic grand piano
March 10, 2009
The gap between acoustic and digital pianos just closed up a little with Yamaha’s latest innovation, the AvantGrand hybrid instrument that combines the best of both worlds.
Physically, it replicates a much larger acoustic grand piano in a much smaller (but not insignificant) space. It features highly realistic key and pedal action, and comes with 12 inbuilt speakers placed where the samples were originally recorded. It also boasts a whopping 256 note polyphony, so there should be no note cutoffs even during the most complex, sustain-rich passages.
The cabinet is polished ebony and the keyboard is made from Ivorite. It’s dimensions are 1.48m (W) x 1.2m (D) x 1.0m (H) and it weighs 199kg.
More than the pure specifications, though, this instrument is supposed to have more of a feel to it, including the subtle vibrational feedback that real acoustic pianos give to the player.
Pricing is expected to be just shy of US$20,000 with the first instruments available from the summer. A pretty big investment, but still much cheaper than investing in a real acoustic piano.
Something you’d like?
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