EWI DEN: Transposable Fingerings: MAJOR SCALES / LESSON 1

[@chiseelbufon3552]

I’ve ordered an EWI 4000s recently and I can’t to follow along with your videos once it arrives. You’re a life saver!

[@ewi_den]

Glad to help! I hope it arrives soon!!!! Reach-out when it arrives, and be sure to watch the "Start Here" Videos inside the EWI DEN (They are free content!)

[@chiseelbufon3552]

@@ewi_den just arrived! Ooo is it confusing hehe, I’ve put in the headphone jack and it seems to be in working order! Going to start your videos and check out that video you recommended.

[@ewi_den]

@@chiseelbufon3552 That is great news!! Have fun! Let me know how it goes.

[@DanielRiera]

Wow I have been playing EWI for years, and use those half step keys but never in this way. Great idea and thanks for sharing your insight!

[@ewi_den]

Daniel, Hope you get some added enjoyment from them!!! The EWI Standard fingerings provide so much to explore, it's mind bending. I've been using transposable fingerings for about a decade. They are certainly not a fix-all, but they can add comfort and freedom. (I only use them when improvising, which fortunately is most of the time. Thanks for checking it out!

[@morioro]

Wow that is such a great tutorial, has opened up the instrument so much for me

[@ewi_den]

Glad it was useful! Have fun! Thanks for checking it out!

[@Jazzmarcel]

Wow!!!!.........I have my EWI for over a year and didn’t know this!👍

[@ewi_den]

YEP! The EWI is super fun, and it's a big instrument with many possibilities. Enjoy!

[@williameverett542]

Really like the idea of using the circle of 4ths

[@ewi_den]

That is super convenient!!!

[@7_Lee]

My ewi usb comes in today I’m excited

[@ewi_den]

Did you get it today? Have fun! Reach out if you need help. What model did you get?

[@davidhedden9066]

Interesting approach to playing. I will try it out today. I am not sure how well it will work with sight reading

[@ewi_den]

David, I usually don't use transposable fingerings when I'm sight-reading. I like my reading fingerings to be as constant as possible. The group of saxophone fingerings that work in the EWI Standard settings, I think of them as my "Home Fingerings" and I use them when I sight-read any written music or chord changes. (When there's time to Prepare a piece, I'll always choose the easiest) I do use Transposable sometimes when reading, just because they have become part of my playing. Several saxophone fingerings are almost gone from my playing at this point. The Pentatonic Group is great for Improvising. There is a Minor 6th Pentatonic group for Ascending Melodic Minor too. (G A Bb D E) Thank you for checking it out! Let me know how it goes. Have fun!

[@KDrizzz]

2 questions. Can we do all 12 scales without the transpose key? Is there a fingering more akin to clarinet?

[@ewi_den]

I don't understand the question completely. So, if I don't answer exactly what you asking. Please ask again. 1. There is a transposition feature in the EWI programming where you can set the key for it's transposition. Examples: Concert Key, Eb like Alto Sax, Bb like clarinet. And Yes, you can set it for any key. However, you can't change the setting while playing. 2. some fingerings are the same as Clarinet, and most of the upper octave is exactly the same. Inside the EWI DEN are some documents entitled "Home Fingerings," and one of them is the "Home Fingerings for Clarinet." It will illustrate the fingering common with the clarinet when the EWI set to EWI STANDARD FINGERINGS. I hope this was helpful.

[@KDrizzz]

@ewi_den it does answer my question and I thank you for the video and the response.

[@ewi_den]

Great! Thank you!@@KDrizzz

[@jlmraney2562]

You might want to do a series for the EWI Akai Solo. I seem's to be getting popular.

[@ewi_den]

Thank you! I've been trying to make my videos for as many EWIs as possible. When there is a specific issue, sometimes I'll address a specific EWI. All the Akai EWIs have very similar operations, and if someone chooses the Ewi Standard Fingerings, then they respond precisely the same regarding pitch. This fingering system can be used on any Electronic wind instrument that has the EWI standard fingering as an option. All the Akai and also the NuRAD. I hope this helps.

[@matthewzadeh1]

I am new to this stuff. Since you have the transpose function can you just learn one key and transpose it using the transpose function?

[@ewi_den]

The “TRANS” button does allow you to change the key of the entire instrument. Example being, set the TRANS Button to Bb and when you finger the note C, the EWI will sound the note Bb. This works great for a song that stays in the same key throughout. However; you have to stop playing to change the setting, so transposing in this way is not possible while playing mid phrase. The Transposable fingering approach, allows you to take a song that has several different key centers, and transpose to comfortable keys while you are playing. This is very useful when improvising. Let me know if this answered your question. Thank you for your support!

[@matthewzadeh1]

Thanks. I am a beginner and was wondering.

[@ewi_den]

@@matthewzadeh1 You are welcome. Join THE EWI DEN (If you haven't) There are a bunch of free video lessons that will help get you started. Check out the NOVICE LESSON TAB; Watch the "Start here Videos" and then get started on Goal #1 You can Email me any time you need some help! Have fun!!!!

[@TedEsler]

Is E1 setting on that 5000 the same as the EWI system used on the Akia EWI USB?

[@ewi_den]

Yes, Go to your Aria software by Garritan 1. Select Performance Controls 2. Select EWI Standard

[@TedEsler]

@@ewi_den I like what you are teaching here because, as a guitar player, circle of 5th and pentatonic scales are so fundamental. As a newbie on a wind instrument, this helps. Still unclear about keys... and what I should be selecting as the key in Aria, though.

[@ewi_den]

@@TedEsler Thank you! I'm not quite clear on the question. "What I should be selecting as the Key in Aira?" If you referring to the "TRANSPOSE" setting on the "PERFORMANCE CONTROL PAGE" choose 0=C. This will put you EWI in Concert key, (Unless you engage the TRANS BUTTON on the EWI. You could check to see if your EWI C matches a C on the piano or play along with this video to check if your EWI is playing in the correct key. Let me know if that helps.

[@TedEsler]

@@ewi_den That was the question, and that's the answer I was looking for. Thanks!

[@ewi_den]

@@TedEsler AWESOME! Have fun!

[@amosliburdamosliburd5539]

I love the idea of transposable fingering. But it can get confusing when reading music.

[@ewi_den]

I do not transpose when reading music, it would be extremely difficult. I use transposable fingering when improvising, it makes it possible to remain in comfortable fingerings most of the time.

[@lawrencekellie]

@@ewi_den I was wondering about how you would use that reading music. I have played cornet for many years, and when playing, say, from hymn book, I have to transpose as I go along. Trying to do that with the seven transposed fingering would be absolute murder!

[@ewi_den]

@@lawrencekellie You are correct reading and transposing the fingerings would be a mess. I do not transpose the fingerings while sight reading. I do still use the EWI Standard fingerings, but use something very close to saxophone fingerings (which will work fine$

[@IlliaAZARKH]

I will receive my ewi solo in 3 days, I'll follow you to start to play. Actually it will be the first time I'm playing , really happy to find your channel

[@ewi_den]

Congratulations! Enjoy your new Solo!! Did you join EWI DEN? (lot's of information & lessons available there. Check out the "START HERE" tab. Take your time, be very patient. GOAL #1 Learn your Major scales by saying and playing them. www.curtsipe.com HAPPY NEW YEAR!

[@IlliaAZARKH]

@@ewi_den thank you a lot for your advices, I'll follow it, I'm 34 and now I can be very patient. I think I'll need some 12-18 months to start to play correctly, maybe less with homeoffice 😁. Happy New Year for you too!

[@ewi_den]

@@IlliaAZARKH You are welcome.

[@piotrnowik]

I bought EWI SOLO and was wondering if I should return it to the store. This instrument cannot be used. This is a toy for children. Bad sounds. The fingering (without the use of stupid reels) is just over an octave (decima, none for the flute). I prefer to play the old Yamaha WX-5 with a dedicated WL-70m module.

[@IlliaAZARKH]

@@piotrnowik for me that is a great instrument but i'm using an amplifier for a good sound. Maybe there is some setup to do ? However, play on it for some 5-7 days and if it is still not OK for you you can return it.

[@edinmesic8015]

Hi Curt. I've received your PDF via email and video exercise but I got email error when I replied to your email...tried twice..

[@ewi_den]

Sorry that didn't work. I'll check those links. Here is my email: [e-mail] Hope this helps! Look forward to hearing from you!

[@thisiscemsvideos]

I think you forgot to tell to activate trans button! Otherwise it plays concert notes, right?

[@ewi_den]

All the examples are in Concert Key: The Cycle of 4ths starting on Concert D. (D G C F Bb Eb Ab C# F# B E A) If you choose to engage the "trans" button to change the key of the EWI to Bb or Eb, all of these fingerings will still work. (I normally play with my EWI in Bb (trans), played tenor sax for 40 years.) Hope this was helpful!

[@topazsuperwashwash3718]

How I tell the notes

[@ewi_den]

If you transpose a C major scale up a half step it becomes C# D# E# F# G# A# B# C#. You need to keep track, after a few weeks this is easy to do. Well worth the time.

[@robertbrown6874]

Sorry, looks like you already answered, EWI Standard

[@ewi_den]

Glad you found it! Have fun!

[@piotrnowik]

I have EWI SOLO. It is a toy for children. I will never buy any AKAI wind instrument again. I want to play the old Yamaha WX-5 with a dedicated WL-70m module.

[@ewi_den]

I stop using Akai instruments too. I'm playing a NuRad, love it!

[@dorklymorkly3290]

It's a perfectly capable controller, but I agree that the built in sounds are not ultra stellar. As for the NuRad, that's not something for the everyman, since they're built on request, iirc.

[@Osnosis]

The NuRad is quite expensive. Pairing the regular EWI with a VL-70 (or Roland Sound Canvas) is good.