3 Months with the LinnStrument

[pollner]

Three months ago, at the beginning of February, I started using the LinnStrument. (First the LinnStrument 128, then I switched to the 200.)

In my youth, I played piano for 15 years, I've been playing the Roland Aerophone Pro for a few years now, and I don't play guitar. (I am well versed in music theory, which helps a great deal.) The isomorphic layout is new to me — and very exciting.

As far as my right hand (melody playing) is concerned, I've improved a lot; I'm moving more and more fluently within scales, and my runs are getting faster too.
A slower process is mastering complex (jazz) chords and voicings. I still have a long way to go here.

Of course, I also thoroughly enjoy the expressive capabilities of the LinnStrument. It's an entirely new world for me!

What impresses me day after day is the LinnStrument's simplicity — the fact that there are just 8 buttons, no endless knobs, sliders, or screens. The pads themselves are the display; everything is straightforward and clear.
I didn't want to spend yet more money on my hobby, so I sold an excellent amplifier/DAC unit and used the proceeds to buy the LinnStrument. It was a great decision!

[Roger_Linn]

Thank you, Pollner!

[D3sertDog]

Hi Pollner,
I am curious. What virtual instruments do you like to use with your Linnstrument?

[pollner]

Hi D3sertDog,

I mostly use virtual instruments like SWAM woodwinds, Respiro, and VGTrumpet as solo instruments for the Aerophone. For two-handed playing, NumaPlayer, MainStage, Elpiano, and Pianoteq have worked out best for me. Pipa, Tomofon, GeoShred, and Pigments (along with a dozen other softsynths) are also quite interesting. You just have to be careful not to get lost in the sea of possibilities!

[D3sertDog]

Thanks! I'm not familiar with NumaPlay and Respiro. I'll have to check them out

[GuyaGuy]

As far as my right hand (melody playing) is concerned, I've improved a lot; I'm moving more and more fluently within scales, and my runs are getting faster too.
A slower process is mastering complex (jazz) chords and voicings. I still have a long way to go here.

I find the Linnstrument lends itself more to economic chords of maybe 5 note than trying to fit all your fingers in for big 8-note chords. (But I'm certainly no piano nor Linnstrument maestro!)

These videos are good resources for chord techniques if you've not found them yet:

[D3sertDog]

In the Fontaine video, he concludes by teasing the next installment of the series, which will focus on the "Finger Zone" technique. But the next installment never came. Does anyone know what the finger zone technique is?

[GuyaGuy]

In the Fontaine video, he concludes by teasing the next installment of the series, which will focus on the "Finger Zone" technique. But the next installment never came. Does anyone know what the finger zone technique is?

Not sure. Maybe message him!

[pollner]

Thanks! I'm not familiar with NumaPlay and Respiro. I'll have to check them out

NumaPlay is free. It has great keyboard instruments (piano, electric piano, organs).
Respiro is based on physical modelling. It has great sound and a very intuitive user interface. (It's about EUR 170).

[pollner]

As far as my right hand (melody playing) is concerned, I've improved a lot; I'm moving more and more fluently within scales, and my runs are getting faster too.
A slower process is mastering complex (jazz) chords and voicings. I still have a long way to go here.

I find the Linnstrument lends itself more to economic chords of maybe 5 note than trying to fit all your fingers in for big 8-note chords. (But I'm certainly no piano nor Linnstrument maestro!)

These videos are good resources for chord techniques if you've not found them yet:

Fontain's videos are very important for me too. I find this video useful too.: I like the Linnprovising series by Stephen Barnard) too. It would be nice to see more similar videos!