Re: [tuning] Microtone questions

One inexpensive way to explore microtones is to get a guitar and chisel out the frets.
Acoustic and electric guitars both work equally fine. Another way that is relatively accesible
is to alter a keyboard instrument. The URLs I have below shows a microtonally oriented
keyboard instrument. So far I've been able to modify a Roland A-33 and a Studio Logic SL-161
and a CASIO CZ-3000 and the newer Roland EM-10. If you ask this forum I'm sure they can tell
which other synths can be modified.

I think that brass instruments should be very easy to play microtones with because the mouth
can change the pitch just by readjusting the lips and teeth. Miles Davis is good at microtones
in his improvisations. For instance, the entire album, "Tutu", was his microtonal trumpet
playing dumping on 1980s pop tunes. It's very absurd yet it was one of his more famous
recordings. "Bitches Brew" is a better example of his more serious work. Or if you ever get a
chance to watch the "Peanuts" cartoons, with Charlie Brown. You can hear a trumpet player
doing some very skillful microtones.

There are several very serious writers here on microtones. Paul Ehrlich and Monz and several
others. They have URL's with plenty of free info and they also have published books. As for
your synth question "the continuum", probably J. Starret's homepage is the best organized links
place.

Alexandros Papadopoulos wrote:

> Hello
> I am Alex P. from Greece(so forgive any spelling errors).
> I play keyboards(acoustic and electric)
> The reason I turned to microtones is because
> for some time I felt that the music I listened seemed to follow
> the same phrases,sequences,progresions.
> I later learned about the keyboard temperaments , and thought that
> the 12TET is my problem. Few tones to play with.
> I have some questions for everybody out there kind enough to share his
> knowledge.I need some direction(Books,web sites etc).
> My questions are:
> a)Which instruments are more practical to play alternate tunings on?
> I am willing to learn a new instrument.I especially like brass instruments.
> b)Can brass instruments play microtones?(I would apreciate some info
> about how).
> c)I like analog synths.What controlers can I use to play tunings like
> 24 or 31 tone? I find interesting the continuum fingerboard ,but I can't
> find info on that.
> Thank you all
> Alex P.
>
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http://home.earthlink.net/~troubledoor

symmetric keyboard:
http://x31eq.com/instrum.htm

Hello
Sorry ,I didn't understand how you changed the keyboard controlers
you said. You mean physically ,rearranging the keys?

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Alexandros Papadopoulos wrote:

>
> Hello
> Sorry ,I didn't understand how you changed the keyboard controlers
> you said. You mean physically ,rearranging the keys?
>
>

http://home.earthlink.net/~troubledoor

http://x31eq.com/instrum.htm

These two URL's have two different versions of the same idea. You take your keyboard apart and
rearrange the keys. Some keyboards are easier to modify that others. So far, I've managed to
tear apart a Roland A-33 and a Studio Logic SL-161 and a CASIO CZ 3000 with little effort...
there are others that are easier to modify and there are some that require some fancy cutting
and pasting or drilling and gluing.

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Hello,