Volume II of Leaps & Sounds: 12 Contemporary Etudes for Jazz Saxophone continues saxophonist Adam Larson’s ongoing quest to integrate the use of large intervals into improvisation. Each etude is written over the chord changes to familiar jazz standards—many of them written in atypical key centers—and contains a brief “etude insight” that details any specific techniques used to create that piece. Saxophonists can expect each etude to be a difficult test of their ability to play in all registers of the saxophone, especially the upper and lower extremities. The books are available in B-flat, E-flat, concert-key and bass-clef versions.
Cooperstand’s Pro-CB stand is available in high-strength, multilamination birch for cello and bass. The stand is a secure, contoured, handcrafted enhancement to the instrument that sits upon it. The Pro-CB weighs 3 pounds, accommodates a variety of larger string instruments and features a four-footed base. From full size, it folds down to a 6-inch by 15-inch by 1-inch area.
Theo Wanne has released its Elements series of affordable mouthpieces. The Elements series includes three models that provide the player with the fundamental building blocks for their sound, whether it’s dark/classical (Water), all-around (Earth) or funky and bright (Fire). The Elements series is crafted in the U.S. using aerospace-grade CNC machining to maintain highest possible accuracy.
Sequential’s Prophet X is a bi-timbral, eight-voice stereo, 16-voice mono/stereo, 32-voice paraphonic synth with a newly developed sound engine that powers two simultaneous 16-bit, 48kHz sample-based instruments, plus two high-resolution digital oscillators—all processed through analog filters. Sample import and mapping are done via a free software application created by 8Dio, Sequential’s factory sample content provider for the Prophet X. On the synth side, the Prophet X gives you the power of a classic Prophet. Using the Shape Mod control, players can manually dial in a desired waveshape width for any of the classic sine, sawtooth or pulse waves, or use an LFO or other mod source for continuously shifting timbre.
ATV has introduced the EXS-5 electronic drum kit, which features drum and cymbal pads with playing surfaces similar in size to those of a typical acoustic drum set. The combination of two rack toms, one floor tom, snare, hi-hat, crash cymbals and ride cymbals helps to realize a comfortable and natural-feeling performance experience. The EXS-5 comes with a drum key.
