Interesting project from the UK. Here, I think you’d need to go visit TAP Plastics and get a 8 1/2″ by 12″ sheet, and maybe a Pop Screen to modify.
Category: Videos
Crazy Rag – National Saxophone Choir
Ever wanted to see ALL the saxophones in action. Here you go.
Astral Project
If you have never seen nor heard Astral Project, then you need to check them out. Tony Dagradi is a monster player that few, sadly, have heard about…….
Solo Sax and Electronics
While nothing really new (people have been doing this since the 70s), it’s good to see it still happening.
Adam Savage – How I Do It
Adam Savage, of MythBusters, gave an excellent speech to the Maker Faire in May (I think?). Though it applies more to his path, it also applies to us musicians as well. It’s very interesting.
Rico Reeds Videos
Rico Reeds has some really great videos of Walt Weiskopf up explaining one exercise from his book “Around The Horn” (which I highly recommend!).
They also have some great videos from other artists like Chris Potter, Mel Martin, Ronnie Laws, etc.
But then, they have videos from this Shannon Kennedy chick which were……..what? I dunno what to make of them. They have these great pros talking shop and technique, and then you have……who? Shannon who? I mean…..who is she? And she discovered fire….I mean that you can play faster if your fingers don’t move too far from the keys? No……way……amazing. Though Eddie Daniels might disagree, but what does he know? Seriously…….I mean like…..OMG……Eddie Daniels. I mean…..psh.
Double Slide Controller…..why?
“Developed by composer and researcher Tomás Henriques, the instrument mixes computer music software, sensor technologies and flexible hand/arm gestures to generate rich, complex sounds.” My question is why? So we can do more Zen type music? Why do all these “demos” of new controllers and stuff always have like an atmosphere drone? I would have been impressed if this guy busted out some changes and played a chorus or two of “Autumn Leaves” or something. But no, we get F-ing drone Zen music. Another Eigenharp type device. Whoohoo!
iPad Sheet Music Page Changer
From Engadget:
“If you carry your sheet music in a laptop, AirTurn’s got a USB dongle for that, but if you’ve migrated your musical cues to an certain slate, never fear, Bluetooth is on the way. The AirTurn BT-105 will bring the company’s page turning technology to iPad, using a transmitter that attaches to standard professional footswitches, allowing you to turn full pages and half pages of sheet music while keeping hands firmly affixed to your instrument. Though there’s no word on price, we imagine it’ll cost close to the existing 2.4GHz version, which runs from $40 for a dongle to $100 for a package with two Boss pedals, and when it surfaces in Q4 of this year, we’re hoping it will extend bicycling input to all the other wild and crazy apps you dream up. PR and video after the break. “
Opens up a LOT of doors. For what it is worth, I have put a lot of stuff I practice on to my iPad, and it works great.
Dan Higgins Ripping It
If you don’t know who Dan Higgins is, you have heard him…..in movies, on TV soundtracks, albums, etc. He’s everywhere. Check him out.
Rick Margitza At The Detriot Jazz Festical 1998
Ok, kind of old, but it seems it just made it up on YouTube. Great playing.
More To Live For
More To Live For is a promo (I think) site for a film that will, it seems, feature some documentary footage of Michael Brecker’s struggles with Cancer. Check it out.
Jason Marsalis vs. JNI
I agree with this. I’ve never heard of Jazz Nerds International (JNI)…..
Dood Blows $5760 on an Eigenharp
Oh come on, a stand created by K&M? It’s a Bass Clarinet/Bassoon Stand guy. Been around forever. And they include a BACKPACK!?!? Wow, I’m sold.
Seriously though, why? You need to take the “backpack”, the stand, a real laptop, and then the actual Eigenharp to a gig. Oh, plus an amp. So……why didn’t they include a cart? Or a small truck for it?
Well, the guy seems happy…..I guess that is all that matters. When they come out with one that doesn’t need all that crap with it, and costs about 1/2 as much, call me.
iPad Steel Drums
Ok, I’m still waiting for the Coltrane or Brecker App…..but this is kind of cool.
Don Menza On Tone
Dunno what is up with the dark glasses. Nor the using of the Metal Link (is that a metal link?). Last time I saw Menza he was totally into getting vintage rubber mouthpieces and modding them to his liking….