Starting a Wikipedia Entry for jammers and the Thummer
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MusicScienceGuy
Sep 18, 2009, 2:48:13 AM9/18/09
to diykeyboard
Hi,
Now that I finally have a (mostly) working jammer keyboard, I'd like
to put together a Wikipedia entry for jammers and the Thummer.
I'm ask you and the music notation group to help me fill it out, since
you probably know the most about them.
Is there anyone else I should ask?
Ken.
Below is my first draft. Please be nice.
Wickipedia notes
Jammer Keyboard - the name of a innovative musical keyboard based on
music theory and ergonomic principles. The instrument is in theory
much faster to learn and to play than a conventional keyboard
instrument. The term jammer was invented by Jim Plamondon as the
generic version of the Thummer. A jammer has these features:
1. A 2-dimensional keyboard in a hexagonal array
2. Notes assigned to the array in a Wicki - Hayden format. Wicki -
Hayden links . The Wicki-Hayden format is one of a large number of
isomorphic note-assignment possible. It is preferred by jammer players
because of the large number of keys of the scale that are under the
fingers and the relative simplicity of relating it to conventional
music notation. This layout also places the octaves ascending
vertically, increasing the notes playable at once and greatly reducing
the time needed to move to a new note.
3. Optionally, 2-keyboards, one for each hand. The keys of the left-
hand instrument are mirror-imaged to those on the right, to take
advantage of the natural ability of the body to work with, and learn
quickly, mirror-imaged motions.
4. Optionally, a note modulation control for the right thumb not
impringing on the Thummer patent.
The Thummer was designed to be played with a thumb-operated joystick
that would modulate the keyboard sound innovative ways. The
combination of the joystick and keyboard is patented, as are many
other interesting innovations such as key spacing and shape and motion-
sensitivity.
The jammer concept is being further developed, refined and is becoming
a practical instrument through the work of a internet-connected
enthusiasts. (link). Recent availability of commercial keyboard
controllers, especially the Axis-49 fro C-Thru Music that can be
adapted has spurred development.
The consistent interval assignments (isomorphic) of the keyboard are
relatively new, previously only used in some concertinas and eastern
European accordions, although these are not velocity sensitive
instruments.
Although no one is yet expert on a jammer, Fitts law predicts that the
jammer will be between very significantly faster to play that a
conventional keyboard. The instrurment has these features:
* simple to learn
* easy to play
* fast to play
* more notes can be played by each hand, with a greater range
* capable of much more expressiveness than a traditional keyboard
instrument,
Limitations
* No teachers for the jammer
* fingering techniques have to be developed individually
* no theory of play has been developed, although one is under
development, and is related to standard jazz "jamming" techniques.
* high cost of hexagonal keyboards relative to the standard
keyboard
Thummer Keyboard - the name of an innovative musical keyboard invented
by Jim Plamondon, and partially developed by his company Thumtronics.
Jim was seeking to develop a paradigm-breaking keyboard that was:
* simple to learn
* easy to play
* fast to play
* capable of more expressiveness than a traditional keyboard
instrument, perhaps equaling or exceeding that of the guitar and
trumpet.
A Thummer was intended to be a commercial brand of a jammer (e.g. Les
Paul Gibson guitar)
The Thummer was to go beyond the jammer in:
1. A 2-dimensional keyboard in a hexagonal array with optimally-
shaped keys.
2. Notes assigned to the array in a Wicki - Hayden format. Wicki -
Hayden links . Jim believes this layout is optimal.
3. Optionally, 2-keyboards, one for each hand. The keys of the left-
hand instrument are mirror-imaged to those on the right, to take
advantage of the natural ability of the body to work with, and learn
quickly, mirror-imaged motions.
4. Optionally, a note modulation control for the right thumb not
impringing on the Thummer patent.
The Thummer was designed to be played with a thumb-operated joystick
that would modulate the keyboard sound innovative ways. The
combination of the joystick and keyboard is patented, as are many
other interesting innovations such as key spacing and shape and motion-
sensitivity.
The jammer concept is being further developed, refined and is becoming
a practical instrument through the work of a internet-connected
enthusiasts. (link). Recent availability of commercial keyboard
controllers, especially the Axis-49 fro C-Thru Music that can be
adapted has spurred development.
The consistent interval assignments (isomorphic) of the keyboard are
relatively new, previously only used in some concertinas and eastern
European accordions, although these are not velocity sensitive
instruments.
Although no one is yet expert on a jammer, Fitts law predicts that the
jammer will be between very significantly faster to play that a
conventional keyboard.
See also C-Thru Axis, Opal and ?
Now that I finally have a (mostly) working jammer keyboard, I'd like
to put together a Wikipedia entry for jammers and the Thummer.
I'm ask you and the music notation group to help me fill it out, since
you probably know the most about them.
Is there anyone else I should ask?
Ken.
Below is my first draft. Please be nice.
Wickipedia notes
Jammer Keyboard - the name of a innovative musical keyboard based on
music theory and ergonomic principles. The instrument is in theory
much faster to learn and to play than a conventional keyboard
instrument. The term jammer was invented by Jim Plamondon as the
generic version of the Thummer. A jammer has these features:
1. A 2-dimensional keyboard in a hexagonal array
2. Notes assigned to the array in a Wicki - Hayden format. Wicki -
Hayden links . The Wicki-Hayden format is one of a large number of
isomorphic note-assignment possible. It is preferred by jammer players
because of the large number of keys of the scale that are under the
fingers and the relative simplicity of relating it to conventional
music notation. This layout also places the octaves ascending
vertically, increasing the notes playable at once and greatly reducing
the time needed to move to a new note.
3. Optionally, 2-keyboards, one for each hand. The keys of the left-
hand instrument are mirror-imaged to those on the right, to take
advantage of the natural ability of the body to work with, and learn
quickly, mirror-imaged motions.
4. Optionally, a note modulation control for the right thumb not
impringing on the Thummer patent.
The Thummer was designed to be played with a thumb-operated joystick
that would modulate the keyboard sound innovative ways. The
combination of the joystick and keyboard is patented, as are many
other interesting innovations such as key spacing and shape and motion-
sensitivity.
The jammer concept is being further developed, refined and is becoming
a practical instrument through the work of a internet-connected
enthusiasts. (link). Recent availability of commercial keyboard
controllers, especially the Axis-49 fro C-Thru Music that can be
adapted has spurred development.
The consistent interval assignments (isomorphic) of the keyboard are
relatively new, previously only used in some concertinas and eastern
European accordions, although these are not velocity sensitive
instruments.
Although no one is yet expert on a jammer, Fitts law predicts that the
jammer will be between very significantly faster to play that a
conventional keyboard. The instrurment has these features:
* simple to learn
* easy to play
* fast to play
* more notes can be played by each hand, with a greater range
* capable of much more expressiveness than a traditional keyboard
instrument,
Limitations
* No teachers for the jammer
* fingering techniques have to be developed individually
* no theory of play has been developed, although one is under
development, and is related to standard jazz "jamming" techniques.
* high cost of hexagonal keyboards relative to the standard
keyboard
Thummer Keyboard - the name of an innovative musical keyboard invented
by Jim Plamondon, and partially developed by his company Thumtronics.
Jim was seeking to develop a paradigm-breaking keyboard that was:
* simple to learn
* easy to play
* fast to play
* capable of more expressiveness than a traditional keyboard
instrument, perhaps equaling or exceeding that of the guitar and
trumpet.
A Thummer was intended to be a commercial brand of a jammer (e.g. Les
Paul Gibson guitar)
The Thummer was to go beyond the jammer in:
1. A 2-dimensional keyboard in a hexagonal array with optimally-
shaped keys.
2. Notes assigned to the array in a Wicki - Hayden format. Wicki -
Hayden links . Jim believes this layout is optimal.
3. Optionally, 2-keyboards, one for each hand. The keys of the left-
hand instrument are mirror-imaged to those on the right, to take
advantage of the natural ability of the body to work with, and learn
quickly, mirror-imaged motions.
4. Optionally, a note modulation control for the right thumb not
impringing on the Thummer patent.
The Thummer was designed to be played with a thumb-operated joystick
that would modulate the keyboard sound innovative ways. The
combination of the joystick and keyboard is patented, as are many
other interesting innovations such as key spacing and shape and motion-
sensitivity.
The jammer concept is being further developed, refined and is becoming
a practical instrument through the work of a internet-connected
enthusiasts. (link). Recent availability of commercial keyboard
controllers, especially the Axis-49 fro C-Thru Music that can be
adapted has spurred development.
The consistent interval assignments (isomorphic) of the keyboard are
relatively new, previously only used in some concertinas and eastern
European accordions, although these are not velocity sensitive
instruments.
Although no one is yet expert on a jammer, Fitts law predicts that the
jammer will be between very significantly faster to play that a
conventional keyboard.
See also C-Thru Axis, Opal and ?
MusicScienceGuy
Sep 22, 2009, 12:35:05 PM9/22/09
to diykeyboard
Hi all.
I've moved the first article, on jammer keyboards, to
http://docs.google.com/Doc?docid=0AdlzYGNdoZWVZGM5dGh3dDRfMzN2cWJmaG1mMg&hl=en
Please take a gander, comment and if you have lots of improvements to
make, I'll happily make you a collaborator.
Ken.
I've moved the first article, on jammer keyboards, to
http://docs.google.com/Doc?docid=0AdlzYGNdoZWVZGM5dGh3dDRfMzN2cWJmaG1mMg&hl=en
Please take a gander, comment and if you have lots of improvements to
make, I'll happily make you a collaborator.
Ken.
MusicScienceGuy
Oct 2, 2009, 4:13:15 PM10/2/09
to diykeyboard
The jammer keyboard article is coming along here: en.wikipedia.org/
wiki/User:MusicScienceGuy . it will be linked to a companion article
on the jammer's key layout merits & problems (Kaspar Wicki/Brian
Hayden layout).
Inventor Peter Davies is working on the same for his "sonome
keyboard" (the generic name for the Axis keyboard), linked to an
article on the Melodic/Harmonic table)
References to books (paper even!), online articles, research (the more
scholarly the better) or original diagrams (or good idea sketches) on
any of these subjects are really needed now. This is your chance to
contribute to something permanent.
Ken.
MusicScienceGuy
wiki/User:MusicScienceGuy . it will be linked to a companion article
on the jammer's key layout merits & problems (Kaspar Wicki/Brian
Hayden layout).
Inventor Peter Davies is working on the same for his "sonome
keyboard" (the generic name for the Axis keyboard), linked to an
article on the Melodic/Harmonic table)
References to books (paper even!), online articles, research (the more
scholarly the better) or original diagrams (or good idea sketches) on
any of these subjects are really needed now. This is your chance to
contribute to something permanent.
Ken.
MusicScienceGuy
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