The Tenori-on is not the star of the show

For me the quality of the songs, the performance, and the interaction with the crowd are things that interest me when I watch someone play.

 I love technology …but for me it’s not the main focus.

 The fact that the performer may be using a Tenori-on is interesting but is not the main attraction, and is not the reason the performer would command my attention over several songs.

A true story

In 1984 scientists at Waseda University, Japan, developed a computer-controlled robot to play an organ (WABOT-2). It had cameras linked to a computer… so almost any sheet music could be put in front of it and it could ‘decode’ it and play the music ‘perfectly’ every time.

Astounding stuff for it’s time and you can watch a video of it here: WABOT-2 in action

The scientists were asked ‘What was the most difficult thing about the project?’

They answered “..finding an audience!”

That comment has stuck with me for 30 years!

You can see robots that play violins or drum kits now…  which is interesting for all of 10 seconds and then I’m bored… despite being someone who loves technology! I’m actually more interested in people performing than computers running programmes. Even though the programmes reflect the creative input of a person the connection is too remote.

When I look at videos of such robots on Youtube ,and I read the comments folks make, I can see I am not alone in this view.

Actually … I’m more emotionally engaged by someone playing a whistle they had carved from a piece of bamboo than something that had cost thousands and taken years to make.

I once watched a guy in India playing a violin made from a coconut. Beautiful! I watched a guy in Taipei playing tunes with a leaf! He was fantastic! Simple can be great!

So my preference is to use my Tenori-on to create a backdrop that I perform in front of rather than have it as the main star. It’s a personal view. Others are welcome to take a different line.

Genius or crazy guy?

The comedian Rich Hall asks ..what’s the difference between a crazy guy and a genius?

He says a genius is like Bob Dylan… he can play guitar and harmonica at the same time. “Put a pair of cymbals between his knees and you have a crazy guy!”

So although you can play a Tenori-on with your feet (using a midi pedal), play guitar …and sing all at the same time …maybe it would just make you look like a crazy guy!
It’s probably best to try to keep it simple.

Limitation = creative stimulus

Plenty of critics have panned the Tenori-on as not having the capabilities of a ‘real’ sequencer, and having limited power to play user-created samples.

I actually agree with many of the comments.. but I don’t see these as disadvantages. On the contrary,  I regard the challenges the Tenori-on  presents as creatively stimulating.

The Tenori is not a full-on sequencer but it has got sequencing capabilities and the ability to play user-created samples ..and the fun is to be creative with the options provided.

To regard limitations as being a spark for creativity is certainly not my idea….

Picasso ran out of money and could only afford blue paint. During his ‘blue period’ he produced some fantastic work…and also his simple line drawings are gorgeous. Great artists don’t feel they have to use every colour ever made.

Julia Margaret Cameron and Henri Le Sacq  (and others) created emotionally powerful photographs in black and white without recourse to colour or 3D. Black and white images still carry a power that these other systems often fail to match.

So, I am generally comfortable working within the limitations ..but I am really pleased they brought in the latest firmware! 😉

To compensate for any limitations, the Tenori-on has many other features that other devices cannot match. I love it’s portability and usability. I can curl-up on the sofa with my Tenori and my headphones on …and lose myself in the creative process.

The greatest problem I have with it is that it is addictive!