Musicians have established a fine tradition of creating sounds with experimental instruments, from Italian Futurist Luigi Russolo and his celebration of industrialism with The Art of Noises, to Harry Patch’s custom-made instruments for playing microtonal scales, John Cage’s prepared piano, and all manner of amateur inventors the world over. It’s part of what makes music so appealing and popular.Following in this innovative tradition is the airpiano, an instrument similar in concept to the theremin and air guitar. But whereas the air guitar exists entirely within the imagination of the performer, the airpiano is an actual object and, when plugged into a computer makes real sounds. Once hooked up, you can play any sound imaginable—using a MIDI and OSC controller, the user can play invisible keys and a fader in midair, using the touch-free interface.Standing like a conductor and gesturing with your hands to create the sounds isn’t quite the same as shredding on an invisible guitar, but it has a certain sense of prestige to it that is quite heady. The instrument uses 8 infrared proximity sensors to create up to 24 virtual keys and 8 virtual faders, while 40 LEDs provide orientation and visual feedback. If nothing else, it looks stunning, built from walnut wood and dark red acrylic glass, and you’ll look totally futuristic throwing shapes about in the air like a raving Beethoven.
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Play Songs In The Key Of Air With The Airpiano
You’ve mastered the air guitar, now have a go at playing a piano that replaces keys with sensors.