Tag: Instruments

2013 NAMM Oddities

April 18, 2013 ericdano No Comments

Barry Wood has updated his NAMM Oddities page from this year’s NAMM show. NAMM is a trade show that happens around the beginning of the year for music related items.

Some saxophone related items are here:

Instrument Care Apparel. I guess this appeals to people? I think its a waste of money but whatever…

It’s BAAAACK. Yes, the Vibrato Plastic Saxophone had a NAMM display this year. Though I had a post of it way back in May of 2011, two years later they are finally at NAMM. Whoohoo. So another two or so years until there is an actual shipping product?

Not to be out done in the Polycarbonate playhouse, NUVO has a line of plastic flutes and clarinets. Joy to the world.

Articles

New FAA Bill Finally has guidelines for Instruments

February 10, 2012February 11, 2012 ericdano No Comments

The AFM applauds passage of FAA Bill :: Official Website of the American Federation of Musicians:

After five years and 23 short-term extensions, Congress has passed legislation reauthorizing the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for the next four years. Included in the bill are provisions that create a uniform national policy regarding musical instruments on airplanes. Any instrument that can be safely stored in the overhead compartment or underneath the seat may be brought on board as carry-on luggage. Additionally, the bill sets standard weight and size requirements for checked instruments, and permits musicians to purchase a seat for oversized instruments, such as cellos, that are too delicate to be checked. Existing law allowed each airline to set their own policy regarding musical instruments, and size requirements varied widely for both carry-on and checked baggage. The American Federation of Musicians (AFM) has been lobbying Congress to enact such a policy for nearly a decade.

(Via www.afm.org)

Finally, something our Congress passes that makes sense. Too bad they didn’t put it out for the public to see before voting on it. Remember that broken promise Mr. Obama?

News

Dealing With Theft

April 30, 2009 ericdano No Comments

I got an email last night from a friend who returned home to find that she had been robbed. Everything, TV, Laptop, kitty litter, and even the toilet paper. But the most prized thing, a bassoon, had been stolen as well.

Obviously, the police have been called. But what does a musician do when their money making tool gets snatched? Contacting all the neighboring music stores and pawn shops in the area is a priority. An instrument is something that is not really easy to get rid of for a thief. About 10 years ago a trumpet playing friend had his trumpets stolen out of his car which was at his house in his drive way (big truck in the back seat). They turned up about 2 weeks later at a music store. Another story…

Nintendo DS + 2 iPhones = Band

February 18, 2008 ericdano 1 Comment

The potential of a touch interface is amazing, as exhibited by this video I found at Gizmodo:

Lots of potential for all kinds of interesting things. Now where is the saxophone sound??

Articles, Videos

Yamaha’s Tenori

September 9, 2007November 25, 2007 ericdano No Comments

Yamaha has a new thing out, called the Tenori

Media artist Toshio Iwai and Yamaha have collaborated to design a new digital musical instrument for the 21st century, TENORI-ON. A 16×16 matrix of LED switches allows everyone to play music intuitively, creating a “visible music” interface.

Check out a video of it

Create Digital Music also has an article about it.

Articles, Videos

2006 NAMM Instruments

January 26, 2006October 3, 2007 ericdano No Comments

The NAMM show was last weekend. I found this page listing all the odd offerings there. Of note was Great Mind Saxes. Wow. Interesting stuff. I thought LA Saxes were out there. A Midi trumpet and a metronome in a pen, a Belt Buckle pick holder (perhaps a reed holder like that would be cool?).

Articles