e-mail: ray@midichord.co.uk

Applications

Since most players of electric guitars have all of the necessary amplification equipment, these instruments are likely to be the most popular users of the midichord system. All that is needed is a digital pick-up and you are fully enabled to develop your own midichord progressions, and to start working the system into your music.

For beginners, the midichord system will help you to progress from simple chords to complex music very quickly, helping you to play more songs and ensuring that your enthusiasm for learning to play guitar is never dimmed.

For advanced guitar players, the possibilities are endless. A top lead guitarist will produce complex solos from the high end of the fretboard - think of the possibilities that would open if you could play chords at the same time? The possibilities for musical effects are endless, bringing a new dimension to your music.

For other stringed instruments, many are not designed to play extensive chord sequences. As a result of this limited Polyphonic ability, many players of violin, viola, cello or double bass restrict themselves to the standard repertoire, and play in orchestras when polyphony is required. Not every musical production can afford (nor accommodate!) a full size orchestra, but with the opportunity to develop polyphonic stringed accompaniment, the opportunities are opened to many more small groups to produce large scale, dramatic music.

As well as the conventional production of music, we are sure that the midichord system will have applications where a musician has suffered a restriction in their hand movement that has curtailed their playing career. Many musicians lose dexterity through accident, illness, or simply old age - we have all stretched for that 9th or 13th, and not quite made it from time to time! The midichord system will enable musicians to overcome these issues and to keep on playing, making the music they have enjoyed before, despite their change in circumstance.

Finally, we are convinced that the area of musical therapy could benefit from the midichord system. The use of electronics is enhancing music therapy opportunities, with keyboards, percussion and many other instruments being transformed into advanced musical instruments for people of all abilities. The midichord system will enable the use of the guitar and other stringed instruments for music therapy by enhancing the experience - imagine playing one note, and hearing a full chord! Simple progressions would enable accompaniment to popular songs, helping to offer new and exciting experiences for everyone involved