Thummer at Dorkbot Austin

[ichimitch]

Scrolling through the comments I gather this isn't yet being mass produced?.. Pity. I want one :(

[TheMyrmo]

I am really sad this thing never made it to market, it looks like just the thing I've been looking for.  There isn't anything else quite like it available.

[SmileysRevenge100]

Does anyone else think the word "Thummer" sounds like a perverted sex act? "So, I picked up this chick last night and we headed back to her place and she gave me a Thummber". "I just downloaded some Thummer porn." "That'll be $40 for the reach around and $50 for the Thummer"

[kratanuva725]

Something tells me that using GM Midi sounds won't impress investors... Use East west Symphonic Gold or something.

[RichoRosai]

I've been looking for a good keyboard with a janko or similar layout (the price of the Asix is a joke). If this thing is half as good as it looks I'd buy it in an instant.

[rmoseson]

It's easy to quote a low price when you don't have anything to sell yet. My main suggestion for your promotion -- have someone other than your CEO make the presentation -- awful voice. And don't work so hard to "sell" it -- it demeans the product. Present the product, don't denigrate the competition, and trust people to make their own comparisons regarding value, features, etc.

[grembler]

If you are concerned about music in the way that makes you feel like naming yourself a "musician", you might find it unexpectedly detrimental to be so reluctant to accept newly interested groups that supposedly "invade" on what you consider your extracurricular interest.

Don't worry, all you trombone players out there won't be out of a job. Most of you probably never had tromboner ones to begin with, anyway.

New forms of music help us all.

[JimPlamondon]

That is it exactly! Revealing the deep structure of music in a logical and consistent manner lowers music's "complexity barrier to entry" so that a higher percentage of people can explore their musical gifts.

[spudart]

I play no musical instruments, but after watching your video, this has me very intrigued. Maybe I COULD be a musician after all! I can't wait until it comes out next year! :)

[Junkyousha]

Plus, guitars don't have different patterns for every key .. Aaagh! The reason I'm bitching is because you really have created something good here! .. But you obviously didn't do it for the music! "Hello, I'm a CEO of a corporation!" .. Heads up! Musicians don't like corporations! (no they don't, you're thinking of entertainers, big difference)

[JimPlamondon]

I appreciate your kind words. :-)

The Thummer and ThumMusic System can significantly increase the percentage of the world's population that succeeds at music-making, unify the music theories of many cultures, and open new musical frontiers -- but only if I can get it to market, which requires investors, which requires profit. Hence, corporation. C'est le vie. Unless you're an electrical engineer with time to donate to the Thummer for free?

[Junkyousha]

Almost had me there! Spin alarm kicked in just in time!

[mello009]

I totally agree! As a wind player, I can't help but be offended that one would make an electronic wind instrument! I agree it is a good idea, but I also agree it was not done for the music. What's next!? Electronic french horns?! Think! Where is the respect in someone who can push a bunch of buttons?

[ursathemagnificent]

Yeah, really, remember those ridiculous button-pushers Glen Gould and Rachmaninov? Good thing nobody ever gave those guys respect.

[ursathemagnificent]

Guitars actually do have different fingering for different keys, because of the third interval between the G and B strings. Try playing an E minor scale across the E, A, and D strings, then play that same shape across the G, B, and high E strings, and tell me if the same scale pops out. Or play a major chord with the root on the low E string, then move that shape up a string so the root is on the A string. Are you still hearing a major chord?

[Junkyousha]

2 qwerty keyboards and Ps3 controller .. $500? .. Why should I not build my own?

[JimPlamondon]

If you can build it yourself for less than $500, I encourage you to do so. You may find MusicScienceGuy's blog to be helpful.