EWI4000s
EVI Fingering Mode
EVI Fingering Mode
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 Click image for full details |
Click here to buy your EWI4000s from Patchman Music!The Akai EWI4000s features an amazing new "EVI Fingering Mode" designed by Patchman Music's own Matt Traum which allows EVI and brass players to easily play this instrument with brass-style fingerings! The Akai EWI4000s features a fully editable Analog Modeling Synth with effects built right into the horn! It also features MIDI IN and OUT jacks on the body of the horn as well as Octave and Hold modes for polyphonic playing and battery operation for complete portability. Just plug a pair of headphones into the EWI's headphone jack and you are playing anywhere anytime!
|
Patchman Music now offers an amazing
new soundbank for the EWI4000s.
This page explains the special "EVI Fingering Mode"
found on the Akai EWI4000s
(EWI4000s OS version 2.0 or higher is required for this feature. Download it here.)
EVI Fingering Mode
In addition to the standard EWI woodwind fingering system, the EWI4000s features an innovative new EVI (electronic valve instrument) brass-style fingering mode. For the first time in history, both woodwind AND brass players can play the same wind instrument with totally different fingering systems simply by changing one parameter! The brass-style EVI fingering mode lets EVI and brass players play the EWI4000s with minimum effort. EVI players will find EVI fingering mode quite familiar since all of the EVI fingerings and Trill Keys are available in this system. Brass players with no EVI experience will also find the EVI fingering mode easy to understand since much of it is similar to an actual brass instrument. With a moderate amount of practice, brass players can learn this fingering system and be enjoying the EWI4000s faster than if they had to learn woodwind fingerings.
Overview
The EVI Fingering Mode on the EWI4000s was designed to follow as closely as possible the well-established EVI fingering system which was developed in the mid-1970s by Nyle Steiner. The EVI's fingering system was conceived by Steiner as a way for brass players to play a synthesizer with fingering techniques they already knew- a concept that was quite radical at the time. To an experienced brass player the EVI fingering system may seem a little odd at first glance, but rest assured that the system is very logical and well thought out. It was so well thought out that it has essentially remained unchanged and has become a standard in its own right. Though the EWI4000s may not be a true EVI and this fingering system must conform to the physical layout of the EWI keys, the EWI4000s EVI fingering system has been carefully optimized to fit the EWI's woodwind key form factor as well as possible.
EVI Fingering Explained
The following is an overview of how the EVI fingering mode works. On a wind controller, embouchure is not used to change octaves and half octaves. Instead, we do this with the left hand. The desired octave is selected with the rollers located on the underside of the EWI4000s. The left hand thumb rolls between these rollers to select the octave. Note that you always place the thumb between two rollers so that you are actually touching two rollers at all times. By "half octave" we are referring to whether a right hand open fingering sounds a "C" or a "G". This is selected the same way for every octave- that is- by either touching the left hand index finger key to select a "G" or not touching it to select a "C". The right hand then can finger downward chromatically from this "C" or "G" as on a trumpet.
How To Select EVI Fingering Mode
Note: EWI4000s OS Version 2.0 or higher is required for this EVI Fingering Mode. You can download the latest EWI4000s OS here.
EVI Fingering Mode is selected with the FINGERING "Fn" parameter. This parameter has 3 options: "Ei", "Ev", and "Er". Earlier (unsupported) versions were accessed by holding down the TRANS button while turning on the EWI4000s. This step is no longer neccessary. Also note that this "official" released version of the EVI Fingering Mode differs slightly from that found in the older version EWI OS.
"Ei" is the standard EWI fingering system.
"Ev" and "Er" are the two EVI fingering modes. Both are identical except for the direction of the octave rollers. Both directions are provided to allow the user to choose which is most comfortable.
"Er" = EVI with reversed direction rollers. This mode most closely duplicates the movement of the left hand wrist on an actual EVI. This is the recommend fingering mode for EVI players.
"Ev" = Uses the same roller direction as in EWI fingering mode. "Ev" mode may be useful to experienced EWI players who wish to experiment with "brass-type" fingerings yet keep their already-learned EWI roller technique.
Please refer to this chart for the key numbering described below. Please note that the EVI numbering system shown below is different than the EWI numbering system.
The Right Hand
The right hand controls the 3 "valves" as well as the EVI 1st Trill Key and EVI 3rd Trill Key. The right hand thumb also controls pitchbend up and down sensors. Vibrato is done by gently wiggling the mouthpiece with your teeth.
The right hand index, middle, and ring fingers activate the
3 "Valve" keys (keys 8, 9, and 10) as one would on
a trumpet or similar valved brass instrument.
Key 8 lowers the pitch -2 half steps when touched.
Key 9 lowers the pitch -1 half step when touched.
Key 10 lowers the pitch -3 half steps when touched.
Keys 11 and 12 are non-functioning and provide a place to rest the right hand pinky finger.
Key 13 functions as the 3rd Trill Key on the EVI. It raises the pitch +4 half steps when touched.
Key 7 acts as the EVI 1st Trill Key which raises the pitch +2 half steps when touched.
EVI players may be wondering where the 2nd Trill Key is. The equivalent of the EVI 2nd Trill Key is activated by the left hand in several ways as explained below.
The Left Hand
The left hand controls the octave, half octave, and EVI 2nd Trill Key (+1/2 step up). The left hand thumb also controls the glide/portamento sensor.
The player normally grips the EWI4000s with the left hand and normally touches keys 3 and 4 all the time. This provides a comfortable firm grip.
Key 5 is non-functioning and it acts as a "barrier" to help prevent glitches.
Key 6 acts as the EVI 2nd Trill Key. It raises the pitch +1/2 step when touched. By lifting either key 3, or lifting key 4, or touching key 6, or any combination of these three keys, raises the pitch a maximum of +1/2 step. These three keys are not additive.
Key 1 takes the place of the canister index finger button on an EVI. Touching it lowers the pitch a fourth (-5 half steps). Think of this Key as the 4th valve on some brass instruments or the left hand thumb attachment on a trombone.
Key 2 is a non-functioning key and acts as a "barrier" to help prevent glitches.
What Are Trill Keys?
With only 7 right hand fingering combinations and 12 chromatic notes to cover, one must "crossover" to the next half octave halfway through the octave. There are two crossover points where both the right and left hands change at the same time. These points are in the middle of the octave between "G" and "G#" and the other is between "C" and "C#". Since multiple fingers on both both hands are changing at the same time, "C" TO "C#" being the most difficult using 5 finger changes, these crossover points can be tricky to play or trill between consistently without glitching and this is why we have the 3 "EVI Trill Keys". The trill keys make several note transitions easier and smoother to play since they actually RAISE the pitch. So instead of having to move 5 fingers at exactly the same time to trill from "C" to "C#", you can simply finger a C and use the 2nd Trill Key to play the "C#". Much easier! As you gain more experience playing the EVI fingering mode, you will come to appreciate and use the Trill Keys more and more. Trill Keys can also be used in combination with other Trill Keys or "Valve" keys for alternate fingerings and making difficult musical passages easier to play.
Octave Rollers
The Octave rollers are used to select the octave. The direction of the rollers is user selectable. The pitch can go higher or lower as you move your thumb along the rollers. You select the direction by selecting either "Ev" and "Er" while editing the FINGERING "Fn" parameter. Both directions are provided to allow the user to choose which is most comfortable.
"Er" = EVI with reversed direction rollers. This mode most closely duplicates the movement of the left hand wrist on an actual EVI. This is the recommend fingering mode for EVI players.
"Ev" = Uses the same roller direction as in EWI fingering mode. "Ev" mode may be useful to experienced EWI players who wish to experiment with "brass-type" fingerings yet maintain their already-learned EWI roller technique.
Basic EVI Fingerings
Here are a few fingerings to get you started:
Place your left hand thumb between two rollers. "C" is played by touching only keys 3 and 4. Note that 3 and 4 are normally held down at all times so this is considered the "open" fingering (no valves down).
Now touch your left hand index finger to key 1 and you have a "G".
Use the three right hand "Valve" Keys 8, 9, and 10 to "finger downwards" from C or G.
When fingering down from C, proceed until you get to Ab. To go from Ab to G simply touch the left hand index finger and release the right hand fingers at the same time. Now proceed to finger down to C#. To go from C# down to C, release the left hand index finger and all the right hand fingers and roll your left hand thumb to the next octave roller all at the same time.
All fingerings are the same for every octave (except for the octave rollers). Right hand fingerings are the same as found on a trumpet in the lower octave from middle C up to the C on the staff. For example C# is always played with keys 8, 9, 10. D is always played with keys 8, 10, etc. You only need to learn this one octave and you will have mastered the entire range of the instrument!
When learning the EVI fingering mode, it might be useful to see fingering charts which were developed for the older Akai EVI1000. The fingerings also apply to the EWI4000s when in EVI Fingering Mode (though the key numbering and physical locations are different). The EVI1000 fingering charts are shown below.
Have fun!
Matt Traum
Patchman Music
Longtime EVI Player Steve Anderson Comments on EVI Fingering Mode:
|
"The
Fedex man dropped off my new EWI4000s from Patchman Music today.
I have to say... I am pretty damn impressed! Built like a tank
and some great features. I have to completely take my hat off
to Matt for the work he did in designing the EVI fingering modes.
Very nice work Matt... and Akai! I opened the box and pulled
out the new EWI and put on the alien neckstrap thingy. I fired
it up in EVI reverse roller mode and positioned my hands and
began what started as an initial awkward feeling of having the
EWI in my hands. That lasted all of four minutes, as my EVI reflexes
kicked in and I was running scales up and down the EWI as if
I had played it for years (Matt can testify - I played for him
over the phone!:). That has to be the shortest learning curve
ever, thanks to the EVI fingering mode. I could seriously play
a gig passably with this thing tomorrow. It's that intuitive.
The reverse roller set-up works perfectly, though it initially
felt awkward untill something just 'kicked in'. Then I was off
flying. What a weird feeling! The mouth vibrato is strange, but
starting to grow on me and I can still do a decent thumb vibrato
just using the PB down plate. So really, the best of both worlds.
The EWI 4000s synth is sweet! Lots of great, fat sounds, though
I definitely look forward to getting the Patchman soundbank soon.
I definitely like the new EWI, though, in my heart, I would still
love an EVI version of this sucker. Still, no reason for an EVI
player NOT to get an EWI in light of the EVI mode. It rocks that
much! Thanks again to Matt and other EVI players that were early
adopters recommending the EWI4000s to me. Your advice was right
on the money." - Steve Anderson, EVI Virtuoso, Wind Controller Soundbanks for use with the EWI4000s
 |
 Check out the INCREDIBLE PATCHMAN TURBO VL Upgrade Chip for the Yamaha VL70-m |
This page was last updated Friday, June 13, 2008.
Copyright ©2007-2008 PATCHMAN MUSIC, All Rights Reserved
Purchase Terms and Conditions
All trademarks are property of their respective holders.