new woodwind

I've been working on an instrument which is essentially a variant of the blown bottle - you take the bottom out, I've been using heat and cold for this, and then the size of the bottle can be variable. The way I've been doing it is by taping a rubber glove to the bottom and filling with water. So this one's called the udderbot (or utterbot?). It's amazing how high you can get, and such a big continuous slide range! Possibly 4 octaves. The woodwind family has seen nothing like this.

The tone is more airy than a flute, and more sterile. But once I am familiar with it I find it charming.

I think I really want to get it off the ground, establish an idiom, find some people to be virtuosos (I think I could be one, just because I have a good ear), write concertos, do sellout Christmas albums, etc. Who's with me?

I have forseen a dark future where I could be known as "that guy who did bottles." *shudder* But it's early enough to stop my own nichification. I think. I mean, any more than already.

I'll have recordings of the first public performance with them up soon, a sextet(!) But don't expect any accurate pitch; I didn't use anyone else with my ear...yet.

WOW! amazing job, jacob! I always wonder how do you people get ideas like that! Guess i'll never find out. Do have a picture of your new insrument? Do you blow in it as if it was a regular bottle, or if not how?

Now here's a guy with not only an idea, but a plan. :)

Sounds like a perfect wind instrument (well, not quite yet, but it'll get there) for the microtonal music you write. It's just one way to get that stuff out in the real world instead of trapped in your head or a computer forever. Good for you!

We'll be looking forward to hearing the recording.

Yeah, definitely. That's nifty!

this would be really cool to hear, and erhm, am I strange or did some of you just get like, 8 dots? :blinks:

I have uploaded the bottle pieces to my soundclick page, at http://www.soundclick.com/bands/pagemusic.cfm?bandID=145852

If you are too lazy or paranoid to have a soundclick account, message me and I'll let you use my extra one.

The bottle pieces were a bit messier than I'd hoped, and I may remedy that with a studio recording. Also, I'll get some pictures up and maybe even a construction tutorial (it's cheap and easy!) sometime soon.

Also on there are some recent 31-bassoon attempts that may be enjoyable.

Wow, that sounds exciting. It would be very interesting to have a look at some pictures and have a listen to recordings. Hope to hear some soon.

woah, thats awsome. I really like the sound they make, its alot cooler than the normal blown bottle.

I hate to say it, but I was iffy on your utterbot songs on your site. I think the instrument would be so much better with a group, its chords are not really too clean on the instrument.

Do you mean a group with other instruments? That's my current project.

However, PLEASE FEEL FREE to write music that includes the udderbot. That goes for everyone. Chances are I'll perform it. Or I could just record a solo and send you the file if you wanted that. Or you could make your own for very cheap. The full story is at http://launch.groups.yahoo.com/group/new_i...ents/message/61

AMAZING... you can make incredible music with the undderbot (is that right?). i'd LOVE to write something that includes it.... the tone is mush more "airier" then all classical instruments. it can "fill out" the space and yet have a beautiful tone! you could make samples of this and sell it to us for rediculouscly high prices! :) :blink:

About your 3 pieces - i adored all 3 especialy the first one. it really demonstrates the range and sound of the undderbot. the 3rd one was a little messy, but since you just make the instrument, you still have to become a virtuoso on it! :D

I can't wait to hear how it works with other instruments!!!

I wanna put one of these into my next song.

Hmm... You think any materials may work better than glass and rubber? Cause, if you think about it, a more professional sounding instrument will be more easily accepted. Fiberglass, maybe?

scant little progress on project udderbot, for all those on edge of chair:

www.udderbot.com

exists, though it's very mere at the moment. soon to exist is a Composer's Guide to the Udderbot, replete with a Catalogue of Special Affects. I first imagined a series of podcasts but now am convinced that something like youtube would be much more effective.

stay tuned.