MUSICPOLE, 4 adjustable Thumbletz,
2 tape Thumbletz, conductive fabric, four AA batteries
(installed), MUSICPOLE Manual.
getting started
In addition to your MUSICPOLE
and Thumbletz, you will need a guitar strap, a MIDI device,
and a MIDI cable (we recommend a "right angle" MIDI
cable).
Hook your MUSICPOLE to a guitar
strap. Strap it on like a guitar. If you are right handed
wear the pole pointing to the right like Jimmy Hendrix.
If you are left-handed wear it pointing to the left, like
a regular guitar player.
Plug your MUSICPOLE into MIDI
device. Put one Thumblet on your good hand (you can try
using two Thumbletz later).
Touch the Thumblet to a key
on the MUSICPOLE triggering your MIDI device. Select
a sound from your MIDI device.
playing
Select a string sound from your
MIDI device. Don't strike the keys like a piano, stroke
the keys. Imagine you are a slide guitar player and slide
your thumb up and down the pole. Listen to all the different
scales you can create like this, never lifting your thumb
off the pole. Try stroking at an angle. Try stroking a
wave.
Turn the MUSICPOLE so that the
key of Gb, labeled at the top of the pole, is facing up.
Note that all the black keys now too face up. Beginning
with the low black note (labeled Db), and using only the
black notes,, play the melody Amazing Grace. Try playing
the melody without lifting your thumb of the pole, sliding
between notes, sliding even where the melody leaps.
To change musical keys on the
MUSICPOLE, rotate the pole. Turn the pole and try to play
Amazing Grace again, this time in a new key. Note that
this new arrangement of keys is the same as Gb.
Blues solos are especially easy
to play on the MUSICPOLE. From your MIDI device select
a saxophone sound. Turn the MUSICPOLE so that the key of
Eb faces up. Listen to a Blues recording in C. Try playing
along by sliding your thumb along the pole (this makes
a C minor pentatonic scale).
Put on your second Thumblet.
From your MIDI device, select a fretless bass sound. Turn
the MUSICPOLE so the key of C (labeled at the top) faces
up. Note that all the white notes now face up. Listen to
a recording of the basic 12 Bar Blues played in the key
of C. Try to play along with the bass player. Memorize
the bass line. Notice it's played the same regardless of
what note you start on. Using the 12 keys labeled
at the top of the MUSICPOLE as a guide, turn the pole and
play the 12 Bar Blues in all 12 keys.
sounds
MIDI sounds that work especially
well on the MUSICPOLE are String sounds, Organ sounds,
Bass sounds, and Synthesizer sounds. Acoustic sounds such
as Sax, Trumpet, and Flute, work well too.
Using a monophonic sound can
add sensitivity to the MUSICPOLE. These sounds are often
designed so that playing two notes at once triggers a new
tone.
A sound with a long decay after
you release is good for playing chords on the MUSICPOLE
(another way to play chords is to hook the MUSICPOLE up
to a MIDI keyboard and use the keyboard's sustain pedal,
or use a MIDI foot controller).
choosing a MIDI device
The MUSICPOLE is a polyphonic
MIDI controller and requires a MIDI device such as a keyboard
or sound module for tones.
In selecting a MIDI device to
use with the MUSICPOLE, make sure it has a transpose feature.
MUSICPOLE polyphony depends
on the MIDI device used. If the device is polyphonic then
the MUSICPOLE is polyphonic.
Contact us for suggestions of
MIDI devices that work well with the MUSICPOLE.
Thumbletz
Thumbletz have a nice satin
feel that slips and slides along the pole. When playing,
try to keep your thumb at a right angle to the MUSICPOLE.
Trigger the MUSICPOLE with the flat part of your thumb,
not the tip. When worn properly the Thumblet should fit
snugly and cover the center of your thumbprint.
Typically, if you're playing
every day, a pair of Thumbletz will last a week, but they
will wear out. They lose conductivity and you'll hear a
stutter prior to a note being triggered. When they wear
out, make yourself a new pair. Conductive fabric is not
expensive- $20 worth should last a lifetime of MUSICPOLE
playing.
Making your own Thumbletz is
key to good MUSICPOLE playing. Through experimentation
you'll learn to make them just the right size. The MUSICPOLE
comes with 2 tape Thumbletz. Model the Thumbletz you make
after these. Use scissors to cut the pre-cut strips of
conductive fabric. Make a ring using tape and a 2 inch
strip (we suggest you use Gaffer's tape). Size the ring
to fit around your thumb. Tape and un-tape till you get
it right. You may need to shorten the 2 inch strip of conductive
fabric, you may need to cut a longer piece. When you get
it sized right, remember the length. Tip: If your thumb
has a bit of a cone shape, try taping Thumblet at an angle
to give it a cone shape.
specs
The MUSICPOLE is 24" long
and 2" wide.
The MUSICPOLE is made out of
red translucent acrylic.
The MUSICPOLE is powered by
4 AA batteries.
The MUSICPOLE has one MIDI "OUT" port
located at the bottom of the pole. This port transmits
velocity on/off information on MIDI channel 1 (velocity
on = 100, velocity off = 0).
The MUSICPOLE is a 3-octave
keyboard starting from the 2nd octave below middle C. The
keys have the same black and white scheme as piano. All
keys are labeled with their proper note names.
Music's 12 keys are labeled
around the top of the MUSICPOLE.
The MUSICPOLE's spiraling symmetrical
design is based on the symmetry of the Circle of Fifths.
maintaining MUSICPOLE
Turning on and off: The MUSICPOLE
turns on when you trigger a note with a Thumblet. It shuts
itself off automatically.
Batteries typically last 6 months
or more. You change batteries by removing the cap at the
bottom of the pole.
If the MUSICPOLE goes for a
long period of time without being played, dust may make
the keys less sensitive. You can restore sensativity by
lightly polishing the keys with a Thumblet.
Never trim Thumbletz with scissors.
If Thumbletz are beginning to fray it's time for a new
pair of Thumbletz. Trimming can lead to small pieces of
conductive fabric getting caught in the keys of the MUSICPOLE
and triggering unwanted notes.
Keep the MUSICPOLE dry and clean.
Avoid playing the MUSICPOLE with dirty or sweaty hands.
A soft dry cloth can be used to wipe down hands and pole.
Be careful with the MIDI jack
at the bottom of the pole. Avoid stepping on the MIDI chord.
Plug and unplug it with care. A right angle MIDI chord
is recommended but not required.
troubleshooting
Make sure your MIDI device is
working properly.
Check Thumbletz. They may be
worn out.
Check batteries.
Examine keyboard for dust or
dirt that may be causing unwanted trigger of note.
If your MUSICPOLE has not been
played for a while, dust may have made the keys less responsive.
You can restore sensitivity by lightly rubbing down keys
with a Thumblet.
contact
For questions or problems with
MUSICPOLE contact:
530 513-0266
The MUSICPOLE
PO Box 1424
Chico, CA 95927
support@theMUSICPOLE.com
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