From PR Newswire comes word of musical innovation.
A pioneering invention that allows people to make music by interacting with light and sound is making its worldwide debut. Created by accomplished musician and songwriter Jerry Riopelle, the beamz™ music system is now available online and at all Sharper Image stores for $599.95.
Inspired by a childhood memory of a simple, light-activated door announcer at his local ice cream shop, Riopelle has since leveraged decades of professional musical experience to develop this invention. His years of tinkering resulted in a breakthrough product that uses six laser beams like strings. Players simply pass their hands through each beam to trigger streams of musical notes or sounds. Each performance produces an original composition and the patented software ensures that the music played always will be harmonious, no matter which beam is engaged.
When connected via USB to a computer, the beamz software displays an intuitive interface which makes it a snap to select from 30 included songs in 19 musical genres, including jazz, hard rock, blues, reggae, hip-hop, Latin and classical. Additional systems also can be connected to play two in tandem.
Here is a video that demonstrates the beamz system.
Hunh?, the beamz system appears to be a cheesy, karaoke knock off of a real musical instrument, the Theremin. Invented by Leon Theremin in 1919, the Theremin was the first electroninc instrument.
Here is a video of Leon, at 95 years old, showing Paul Lansky how the genuine article works.
Hey Lookee Here! Moog has a Theremin in production and available for only $399.00 as opposed to $599.00 for the beamz system. Go figure.
Related posts
Tags: breakthrough product, intuitive interface, Jerry Riopelle, karaoke, leon theremin, Music, the beamz
Sans Direction wrote,
There’s nothing like a theremin. Clara Rockmore is to Jimmy Page on theremin is like … Chet Atkins to Jimmy Page on guitar.
Sans Direction’s last blog post..Chapter 6: Don’t Listen To Your Elders
Link | April 24th, 2008 at 10:44 am
Kenski (Fillmore Five Project) wrote,
Okay, but I’d rather have an instrument shaped like an upside down stool than some scary old man…
Kenski (Fillmore Five Project)’s last blog post..07:47 Southbound
Link | April 24th, 2008 at 12:13 pm
Pribek wrote,
Not buying it from you, Kenski. That’s like saying you’d rather have the Guitar Hero game than Red Dog and the Marshall.
Link | April 24th, 2008 at 12:24 pm
Sans Direction wrote,
Theremin was kidnapped by the KGB and forced to make bugging equipment. Scary.
Sans Direction’s last blog post..Chapter 6: Don’t Listen To Your Elders
Link | April 24th, 2008 at 1:13 pm
Pribek wrote,
Yeah Sans, that guy lived an incredible life by today’s standards. It seems like I saw a documentary on him.
Link | April 24th, 2008 at 1:30 pm
Sans Direction wrote,
I know I did, and I need to see it again.
Sans Direction’s last blog post..Chapter 6: Don’t Listen To Your Elders
Link | April 24th, 2008 at 1:53 pm
Kenski (Fillmore Five Project) wrote,
The stool thing, you could use… as a stool. What the heck are you gonna do with a scary old man when he’s not making music? Stuff him in a closet?
Kenski (Fillmore Five Project)’s last blog post..07:47 Southbound
Link | April 24th, 2008 at 2:49 pm
Pribek wrote,
OK Kensksi, you said “I’d rather have an instrument shaped like an upside down stool than some scary old man”
So, I misunderstood. You were talking about Theremin the guy not, Theremin the musical instrument.
But still, who among us has not stuffed a scary old man into a closet?
Link | April 24th, 2008 at 3:15 pm
Gary Grainger wrote,
A friend of mine has recently built a theremin from a kit he got online. I haven’t heard it yet, but I’d love to get my hands on …… oh, wait ….
Gary Grainger’s last blog post..Poster Art Poster
Link | April 24th, 2008 at 3:59 pm
Watermang wrote,
How about a nice kitty instead of a scary old man:
Kitten Plays Theremin
Link | April 25th, 2008 at 4:44 pm
Pribek wrote,
Watermang!
I just love theremin kitty.
And, it would probably be much easier to stuff the kitty into the closet than a scary old man.
Link | April 25th, 2008 at 5:02 pm