[Trombone-l] Trombone Wind Controller

[Walter Barrett]

On Mar 27, 2007, at 8:34 AM, Jeff Albert wrote:

>
> I think the way Akai did their EVI was on the right track.  Your  
> primary 7
> positions are on the fundamental, then you have a key to lower it a  
> fourth
> (like an F attachment).  Since you get 7 full positions on the f- 
> side as
> well with a controller, you are fully chromatic, in a manner just  
> about
> every trombonist can deal  with.  A manual octave selector would  
> eliminate
> the need to train mouth muscles.  I think only having one octave  
> worth of
> fingerings and a manual octave selector would make it easier for any
> trombonist to make the thing work in an acceptable manner, more  
> quickly.
> This would give the device a higher acceptance ratio among players.

I got to spend some time awhile back playing on a Crumar EVI (pre- 
Akai). The main problem for me was that playing a scale that moves up  
gets you into some physical gymnastics. To go from a concert Bb to a  
C requires you to finger open to 1&3, while also pressing the 4th key  
and selecting the next octave up. At least with the newer versions of  
the EVI, they actually have 2 sets of valves, the normal set that  
moves the note downward, and another set that lets you go up to a  
higher note without adjusting the octave selector. Kinda like having  
alternate trill fingerings.

The MIDI controller I'd like to see would use something like a Silent  
Brass, a Pitch-to-Midi converter, and some sort of sensor to let the  
P-to-M convertor what slide position/valve combination you were in.  
That sensor's information would be used to tell the P-to-V the  
possible notes/harmonic series you were going to play, increasing the  
P-to-V accuracy, especially on lower notes. It could also be used for  
microtonal intervals and pitch bend info.


Walter Barrett

"Someone open a window on this bus, before we all get sophisticated."
     -Vido Musso

Alto, tenor, bass trombones
Bass trumpet, euphonium, tuba
Yamaha Artist/Clinician
http://www.walterbarrett.com