jeff shuck

Although I haven’t pursued music professionally in years, it is still one of my biggest hobbies, and I try not only to keep up with my playing but also to keep pretty well abreast of what’s happening in the technology and performance front. Truth be told I’m a bit of a gadget freak and nowadays that means software — so I find myself constantly finding excuses to upgrade this piece of kit or that piece, and to buy new pieces of gear. In fact the amount of time I spend on that end far outweighs the amount of time I write and practice but that is another matter!

In any case, NAMM 2007 just ended — NAMM is a huge music technology show that is held in LA every year. By far the coolest piece of gear I’ve read about from the show reports is the Axis Natural Keyboard. More than just “an easier way to play piano” it is truly a new instrument. In my experience as a composer the instrument has a very heavy influence on the music you ultimately create — for example, writing on guitar versus writing on piano produces wildly different types of music, at least for me. The instrument itself puts a boundary box on what you do and where you go, particularly in choices of chords and progressions. The design of the instrument basically channels you down one path or another.

So given that I’m really intrigued by what influence the set up of the keys on the Axis would have on composition. In particular it looks like it would lend itself to complex chord progressions at the expense of straight riffs up the scale. It is interesting to me that it appears to emphasize the intervals of the third and fifth while minimizing the fourth.

I think the music that will come from this instrument has the potential to be either ugly or groundbreaking but it appeals to me to be in the vanguard either way! Plus you never know with these pieces of new gear from new companies if they will last or if only 50 will ever be made. It is a very expensive ticket at 749 UK pounds but I think I may call it a gift to myself and go for it, provided I can get it shipped here.

If I (gulp) go through with it I’ll post some impressions and pictures after I’ve played with it.