August '09 EWI Technique Tip

If you own an Akai EWI4000s this months tip will help you get to know your instrument and it's sonic potential. I've asked numerous EWI players if they have taken the time to do the exercise explained here and not heard a yes yet. Here's what you need to do. Play the followibg long tone exercise on each of the 100 patches on your EWI4000s. 12 second cycle. Dynamics:ppp........................fff.........................ppp BC/CC#2:0...........................127...........................0 Time: 0sec.......................6sec....................12sec. Also play each patch with a soft, medium and hard attack. When you do this you really learn what's in a patch and how to control your air speed. It will also help you set your amp or PA so that you have enough headroom. This is very important in live situations so you do not overblow (bottom out) your patches. This can and should be done with any wind controller and any harware and/or software patches you use. Come back and visit this page often. I'll be posting various tips and techniques at least once a month.