Tag: Akai EWI4000s

Using “borrowed” fingerings in EWI mode

Dec 18, 2020

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in Woodwind playing and pedagogy

for Wind controller

The Akai EWI series’ “EWI” fingering mode is powerful and flexible. It bears a resemblance to basic saxophone fingerings (while wisely eschewing saxophoney compromises like rollers and palm keys). But with a little imagination EWI players can “borrow” a number of useful fingerings from other woodwinds, too.
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Homemade EWI stand

Aug 8, 2017

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in Woodwind playing and pedagogy

for Wind controller

There are a few stands commercially available for the Akai EWI, and lots of folks have made their own or repurposed other items. I wanted one that was inexpensive and compatible with the Hercules stands I mostly use these days, and decided to try the DIY route. I came up with something workable but not …
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Problems of wind controller sounds for classical performance

Jul 8, 2013

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in Woodwind playing and pedagogy

for Wind controller

I’ve been working on a little Baroque repertoire on the EWI in preparation for an upcoming recital. It’s not especially common to play recital-type music on wind controllers—they are far more often used in jazz and popular styles—but I think the instrument has great potential for “classical” performance. (I mean “classical” here, and throughout this …
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Quick tutorial: Telemann Canonic Sonata on EWI, à la Jeff Kashiwa

Oct 7, 2010

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in Woodwind playing and pedagogy

for Wind controller

I recently posted a video of Jeff Kashiwa demonstrating the Akai EWI4000s wind controller. As part of his demonstration, he plays a movement from one of the Telemann Canonic Sonatas (well, sort of an arrangement of one). The Canonic Sonatas are duo sonatas, with both musicians playing from the same part. (You can download free sheet …
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YouTubeage: Cool EWI videos

Sep 20, 2010

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in Web reviews

for Wind controller

Some of my favorite EWI videos. Enjoy! Jeff Kashiwa explains and demonstrates the Akai EWI4000s to an appreciative audience. A little loopstation fun, with some Telemann and then a smooth-jazz tune. EWI specialist Bernie Kenerson does cool stuff with an EWI hooked up to a vocoder.
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Flexible EWI fingerings

Jul 24, 2010

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in Woodwind playing and pedagogy

for Wind controller

With traditional woodwind instruments, the fingers work together to change the effective length of the instrument’s body tube by opening and closing toneholes. Woodwind fingerings at their most basic use the fingers in sequence. For example, a certain note might be produced with an “open” fingering (all toneholes open). When the “first” finger (the one …
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Review: Akai EWI4000s wind controller

Jun 24, 2010

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in Product reviews

for Wind controller

I recently got my hands on one of these: Believe me when I tell you that this is a seriously cool instrument. Even after hearing and reading a number of rave reviews of the Akai EWI 4000S, I was pleasantly surprised by its playability, responsiveness, and capacity for expression. In my opinion, this is a …
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Tag: Akai EWI4000s

Using “borrowed” fingerings in EWI mode

Homemade EWI stand

Problems of wind controller sounds for classical performance

Quick tutorial: Telemann Canonic Sonata on EWI, à la Jeff Kashiwa

YouTubeage: Cool EWI videos

Flexible EWI fingerings

Review: Akai EWI4000s wind controller