The Tenori-Off Project

I found some time today to check out the program and give it a test run.

You first have to install Adobe AIR which is basically a flash player designed to make little apps. After you install Air, you then run the Weepr app.

What it’s got: Running the app brings up a grid of 16 by 16 buttons not too different from the Tenori-On. It’s got the same basic mechanic as the TO’s score mode. It has tempo, volume control and loop length adjustment. It also has the ability to kill specific notes vertically across in the grid; a feature the TO does not have.

What it doesn’t: There are five preset sound banks and there is no way to change them. You do not have bounce, random, push, solo or draw mode. You cannot save your compositions out. You can record the audio from another sound recorder but there is no “in-program” way to export audio or midi information.

Over all it’s a gimped version of the real thing but most definitely a fun distraction. Try it out!

I found this through disquiet.com last night! It’s an amazing piece of hardware that combines a theremin and a keyboard. From the video, it seems like you can play music in the X and Y axis. It looks like you have scales in X and octaves in Y.

It’s just a concept model right now and the site does not give much details on when it’s coming but I know I want one!

Check it out!

Being that this site is only about a week old, I was checking Google if it was already indexed and searchable. I punch in “Tenori-Off” in the search box and I chanced upon a review of my work on Disquiet.com.

Disquiet.comis a blog that focuses on ambient/electronic music and the people who make it. It’s a great site that offers free mp3s and does insightful reviews. It’s a really cool hub for the current trends in music technology and art.

You can imagine my surprise and excitement to see my music reviewed on it! I honestly did not think there were people out there checking out this stuff. Thanks Marc!

Read the review here.

Goldar; one of my heroes, recently made a new track that he says was inspired by The Tenori-Off Project. I am so honored! Check it out. It’s a really cool piece call EKG.

 

 

I just found out a free software version on the Tenori-On just got released today.
Exciting stuff. I’ll install and try it out later.

http://www.weepr.com/

I’ve been writing this whole weekend and I think I’m making some progress.

I have the basic flow of most of this song down. I do need to find a hook though. After listening to a whole range of songs this last week, I seem to have  better understanding of song structure.

Understanding and execution are two different things tough. I am having trouble transitioning and shifting to the chorus… this is not easy.

I found a very insightful interview with Toshio Iwai (the creator of the Tenori-On) over at PixelSurgeon.com. He talks about his fascination with music creation and in making it accessible to people who are not musically schooled.

He also talks about his inspirations in creating ElectroPlankton and the Tenori-On.

You can check it out here.

I’ve been looking for professional Theremin lessons but there does not seem to be any in my area. As a result, I’ve been learning by following other people play off of YouTube.

I recently found a series of really cool lessons by a guy named Thomas Grillo! This guy is really good. He has amazing control and he does a great job of explaining the process behind getting a good sound out of your theremin.

If you are trying to learn how to play the theremin, I highly recommend Mr. Grillo’s free lessons.

 

 

One of the more active members of the Tenori-On forum, STACKDJ created a really cool site that allows Tenori-On users to upload and share their songs, blocks and samples. This is really cool! I might upload some later this week.

For those unfamiliar to what the difference is between songs, blocks and samples, here’s the breakdown:
Song files are pre-compiled sequences of music that can be played back but cannot be performed.
Block files are a collection of loops that can be triggered, performed and compiled into songs.
Samples are sound samples you can add to your Tenori-On sound bank.

Check it out here!

 

I’ve been thinking a lot more about words. And by words I mean lyrics. I think I’m gonna shift gears for the next few weeks and carry a little notebook around instead of the Tenori-On.

It’s time for me to write down some words that will hopefully flow together as songs. To help with the inspiration, I think I’m gonna listen to some bands and artists I feel have strong lyrics…

Here’s a short list:

Andrew Bird
The Beautiful South
CocoRosie
Crowded House
David Bowie
Elton John
Guided by Voices
Leonard Cohen
Silverchair

This is a list derived from what’s currently in my mp3 player’s recently played artists.