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Version 22 Version 23
Do you drum it, strum it or stroke it? Do you drum it, strum it or stroke it?
(about 1 hour later)
By Tim Masters Entertainment correspondent, BBC NewsBy Tim Masters Entertainment correspondent, BBC News
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The Eigenharp is put through its paces by three musicians in live performanceThe Eigenharp is put through its paces by three musicians in live performance
It looks like something played by the alien musicians in the bar in Star Wars.It looks like something played by the alien musicians in the bar in Star Wars.
It can be made to sound like it too.It can be made to sound like it too.
The flagship Eigenharp Alpha comes with a price tag not far short of £4,000The flagship Eigenharp Alpha comes with a price tag not far short of £4,000
This is the Eigenharp - described by its developers as "the most expressive electronic musical instrument ever made".This is the Eigenharp - described by its developers as "the most expressive electronic musical instrument ever made".
One of my colleagues calls it more simply "a sci-fi bassoon".One of my colleagues calls it more simply "a sci-fi bassoon".
The Eigenharp is the brainchild of John Lambert, a musician and software entrepreneur, whose Devon-based team has been working on the project for eight years.The Eigenharp is the brainchild of John Lambert, a musician and software entrepreneur, whose Devon-based team has been working on the project for eight years.
Gig stressGig stress
The idea dates back to the early 90s when Lambert played in ambient trance band Shen, who would travel to concerts in a truck packed with musical gear.The idea dates back to the early 90s when Lambert played in ambient trance band Shen, who would travel to concerts in a truck packed with musical gear.
"The gigs were really good fun," says Lambert, "but the setting up was just a nightmare. Lots of stuff, equipment, wires, endless stress."The gigs were really good fun," says Lambert, "but the setting up was just a nightmare. Lots of stuff, equipment, wires, endless stress.
"At the same time I would go to the folk club, take my acoustic guitar out of the box, tune it up, get a pint of beer, and play.""At the same time I would go to the folk club, take my acoustic guitar out of the box, tune it up, get a pint of beer, and play."
Lambert says the new instrument bridges that gap - bringing a vast range of sounds and drum loops to the fingertips of live performers.Lambert says the new instrument bridges that gap - bringing a vast range of sounds and drum loops to the fingertips of live performers.
But what's it like to play?But what's it like to play?
We've got pretty fed up with watching people twiddle knobs on stage John Lambert, Eigenharp inventorWe've got pretty fed up with watching people twiddle knobs on stage John Lambert, Eigenharp inventor
It initially comes across as a baffling array of buttons with winking red lights. But it doesn't take long to get a broad spectrum of sounds out of the 132 keys, two strip controllers and the breath pipe.It initially comes across as a baffling array of buttons with winking red lights. But it doesn't take long to get a broad spectrum of sounds out of the 132 keys, two strip controllers and the breath pipe.
Octaves and scales can be changed at the tap of a button. The Alpha model - aimed at professional musicians - costs £3,950. There's a smaller Pico version for £349.Octaves and scales can be changed at the tap of a button. The Alpha model - aimed at professional musicians - costs £3,950. There's a smaller Pico version for £349.
Theremins and phonesTheremins and phones
Of course, dozens of electronic instruments have come and gone over the years.Of course, dozens of electronic instruments have come and gone over the years.
Could this be the end of keyboards on stage?Could this be the end of keyboards on stage?
Some - like the theremin or Mellotron - have been around for decades and are still in use today. Many others are gathering dust at the back of recording studios.Some - like the theremin or Mellotron - have been around for decades and are still in use today. Many others are gathering dust at the back of recording studios.
In an age when complex music-making applications are being made for mobile phones, isn't there a danger that technology might overtake the Eigenharp?In an age when complex music-making applications are being made for mobile phones, isn't there a danger that technology might overtake the Eigenharp?
"No," says Lambert. "More likely our decision to make the software for the instrument run on a separate computer will pay off - we are already looking at porting the software perhaps into the PlayStation or Wii.""No," says Lambert. "More likely our decision to make the software for the instrument run on a separate computer will pay off - we are already looking at porting the software perhaps into the PlayStation or Wii."
Lambert points out that many artists no longer make a living from record sales alone. Live tours have become a major source of revenue.Lambert points out that many artists no longer make a living from record sales alone. Live tours have become a major source of revenue.
He is upbeat about the response from a wide range of performers, including those working in classical music, rock and electronica.He is upbeat about the response from a wide range of performers, including those working in classical music, rock and electronica.
"The most unexpected thing for me has been the interest from drummers," he says."The most unexpected thing for me has been the interest from drummers," he says.
Goth rockGoth rock
Distant cousin: bassoon action from 1942Distant cousin: bassoon action from 1942
He says there is one high-profile musician who is about to take delivery of an Eigenharp, but won't give any names.He says there is one high-profile musician who is about to take delivery of an Eigenharp, but won't give any names.
"Proper musicians want to take this away and learn it before they come out.""Proper musicians want to take this away and learn it before they come out."
Lambert does expect some criticism from musicians, but does not think the price tag will put people off.Lambert does expect some criticism from musicians, but does not think the price tag will put people off.
"They're going to say it's too expensive. This is a difficult instrument to make cheaply," he says."They're going to say it's too expensive. This is a difficult instrument to make cheaply," he says.
"I would be really shocked not to see these out in live situations within six to 12 months."I would be really shocked not to see these out in live situations within six to 12 months.
"It's not just the sonic thing - they are visually compelling, and there's a reason for that - we've got pretty fed up with watching people twiddle knobs on stage."It's not just the sonic thing - they are visually compelling, and there's a reason for that - we've got pretty fed up with watching people twiddle knobs on stage.
"It was interesting once when we watched Kraftwerk and Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark do it back in the 70s and 80s, but it's not fun in 2009.""It was interesting once when we watched Kraftwerk and Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark do it back in the 70s and 80s, but it's not fun in 2009."
And the big question: is the Eigenharp cool enough for a Slash-style guitar solo?And the big question: is the Eigenharp cool enough for a Slash-style guitar solo?
"We were demonstrating it to someone who is in a goth band," says Lambert, "and they were really up for it - so yes. We're making one in jet black. I think people are really going to rock out with these on stage.""We were demonstrating it to someone who is in a goth band," says Lambert, "and they were really up for it - so yes. We're making one in jet black. I think people are really going to rock out with these on stage."