Guitar player Ronnie Moipolai

Here's an awesome video of a unique guitar player. I love the way that he has his guitar setup, whether it's intentional or not, he has the 5th string removed, so that he can really wail on and emphasize the bass line.

"Ronnie Moipolai from Kopong village in the Kweneng district 50 km west of the capitol Gaborone. He is 29 years old and goes around the shebeens selling and playing his songs for 5Pula each (80dollarcents). He learned guitar from his now late father, has 3 brothers that also play guitar"

FootBass Stomp Box

Check out the FootBass Stomp Box. I in the market for a stomp box and stumbled onto these guys. I don't own one, but it looks really cool. Apparently you can only buy them on ebay, so you'll need to search for "footbass" to buy one.





Link: http://www.footbass.com/

ebay: http://shop.ebay.com/?_from=R40&_trksid=m38&_nkw=footbass&_sacat=See-All-Categories

Marranzano World Festival

I was just recommended this video of the Marranzano World Festival, held in November, 2009, in Catania. The video includes some excellent footage of a variety of world instruments.

Here's the link to the YouTube Channel: http://www.youtube.com/user/MarranzanoWorldFest

Here's the link to the Marranzano Festival site: http://www.marranzanoworldfestival.it/

Wireless Microphone Ban by FCC

If you own or use a wireless microphone or wireless musical instrument interface, it's important to know that the FCC has banned all wireless microphones which operate in the 700 Mhz range. The ban goes into effect starting June 12, 2010.

If you're curious whether the brand of wireless mic which you own is included in the ban, you need to check the FCC website: http://www.fcc.gov/cgb/wirelessmicrophones/manufacturers.html

If your model is listed on the table, it is a 700 MHz wireless microphone and can not be used after June 12, 2010.
If you can find your manufacturer’s name and your equipment is not listed, then you may continue using your wireless microphone because it does not operate in the 700 MHz Band.

If your manufacturer is not listed, please contact the FCC for additional assistance to determine if your wireless microphone operates on the 700 MHz Band.
You can also contact the FCC’s Consumer Center for more information aboutwireless microphones or other communications issues by calling1-888-CALL-FCC (1-888-225-5322) voice1-888-TELL-FCC (1-888-835-5322) TTY1-866-418-0232 fax; or writing to:
Federal Communications Commission Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau Consumer Inquiries and Complaints Division 445 12th Street, SW Washington, D.C. 20554.

Links:
http://www.fcc.gov/cgb/wirelessmicrophones/
http://www.fcc.gov/cgb/wirelessmicrophones/FAQs.html

Electric Berimbau by Paulo Nenflidio

Wow, check out this electric berimbau by Paulo Nenflidio. This opens up a whole new range of tonal variations with the berimbau, and moves it from being simply an acoustic instrument to accompany capoeira to a respectable rock band instrument. I love how Paulo demonstrates some of the modified sounds that are possible with the electric, amplified signal from this new electric berimbau. I can't wait to hear what the likes of N. Scott Robinson are going to do with this instrument once they get into the recording studio.



Links:
To buy one ($1000USD): http://www.nscottrobinson.com/shop-instrumentseberimbau.php

Other interesting Paulo links:
http://paulonenflidio.vilabol.uol.com.br/
http://blog.makezine.com/archive/2009/03/sound_sculptures_by_paulo_nenflidio.html
http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=nenflidio#grid/uploads

Jazari - Midi controlled musical robot

Wow. Check out these video of Jazari, a midi-controlled musical robotic ensemble. Patrick Flanagan created the software to manipulate the musical robots with a Wii Remote. It's an amazing demonstration of a convergence of technology.





Links:
http://jazarimusic.com/