Bret Pimentel has a great article about using an EWI as “silent” practice tool for saxophone, clarinet, or other woodwinds.

I agree with his view point.

Following up from the last post, another company to watch is Berglund Instruments. They currently make an EVI (Electric Valve Instrument) that looks and sounds great. If you follow their instagram account, it seems they are working on a EWI version. And I want one. Seriously. I’ve contacted them.

Emeo Music dropped another video of their forthcoming “digital practice horn for saxophone players”. I’m a little confused as to why it is marketed as this. While it does seem to have a rather cool looking body with fully articulating saxophone keys, it doesn’t have a mouthpiece. In fact, it just seems to be some tube you blow into. Which is fine, but…..is that really a “practice horn” then?

I think the better play is to market this as a higher end wind controller with a more “realistic” feel.

Yet another EWI instrument. The Emeo.

Seems like this happened over the summer (first I have heard about it) but Akai has discontinued the EWI 4000s. Though no where on their website do they indicate this. But a number of dealers are reporting it is so.

I am of two minds of this. While I LOVE my EWI 4000s, with it’s great analog synth engine, the EWI 5000 offers a number of interesting improvements (wireless, rechargeable battery, etc). My “beef” with the 5000 is that it just doesn’t sound like an “EWI”. You don’t sound like Brecker with it. You sound like you are trying (and generally failing) to be whatever SAMPLE you are playing. Flute, clarinet, harmonica, whatever.

Now, if they come out with an EWI 6000 that marries the 4000s and 5000s together, I’d buy one.

Cool video.

Not sure how I missed this, but……very cool. I think. Not sure about the sleeveless shirt and hat though…..

Very interesting interview and demo with Larry Carlton and Michael talking about Michael’s first album and him demoing the EWI.

I’ve seen several of these, but not this one. To this day, no one has surpassed him on EWI. No one.

” Technology is changing the very nature of not just music consumption but how music is written and produced. People need to know that they’re being both manipulated by music technology and missing out on a full music experience. Alan Cross shares the subtleties of today’s music delivery systems and questions what it means for the future of music. “