Steve - This is superb! Exactly what I have been looking for as a new Linnstrument player! Namely helping to create a foundation for improvisational two-handed playing. So to answer the question you posed in the video: YES! By all means create more!
As someone learning Linnstrument without much keyboard background, this video was incredibly helpful and really got me going with useful chord voicings! You’re a great presenter too: this is paced just right, no wasted time but no unexplained jumps - something that can be said of very few UA-cam tutorials.
Thanks for sharing your approach! It's so nice to see someone talking through applied theory in regard to Linnstrument. Edit: I've made it till the end :-) Please, keep em' coming!
Thanks. This video has been really helpful with my Linnstrument. I would love to see more. There are really not many tutorials on Linnstrument technique.
1:55 start playing Octaves in the left hand 2:17 basic Major and Minor triads in the left hand 2:55 using Thumb and index finger for playing octaves 4:20 starting practice routine, closed eyes octaves 4:33 add in the Major 3rd 10:08 stacked 4ths 12:15 up the ladder of stacked 4ths
This video rocks. It applies directly to Deluge users as well. I was trying to follow along on my Deluge, while I wait for my Linnstrument to arrive. If you ever felt like making more instructional content, it'd be appreciated! :D
this is great tutorial. this kind of play style can be applied universally for any grid based midi controller. Please do more! I'm willing to pay for it actually.
Man! I watched the whole video. Definitely interested in more content like this from you. I'm going to spend some time playing around with your D and J shapes. Still a little out of my depth when it comes to how those voicings work, but looking forward to exploring them with my ears, and trying to incorporate them into some progressions. I am usually a one-handed Linnstrument player, playing it strapped like a guitar, but the richness of the voicings have got me itching to get into more two handed play.
Thanks for watching! Using those two shapes is a great way to get into cool jazz/blues voicings and they were really the first two I learned when I started playing piano. There's a reason why they're so popular! Good luck!
so great man thanks! theres a lot of possibility with the Linnstrument even besides MPE in the future its nice to have good info on things being done with it!
Ps: really interested in more indepth videos regarding the linnstrument... chords, voicings, even more advanced stuff.. if you have time I'm one of those who would really appreciate it
Thanks for this fantastic video. I’d be very interested to see your hand positioning on other videos too, for example showing transitions (although these were obvious). How about melodic fluidity? Any exercises? How do you find use of the different fingers and thumb in regards to getting even pressure distribution across the keys? Any tips? Love your playing, btw. Look forward to more.
Thanks so much for watching, and I'm very happy if it was at all helpful. In terms of both melodic fluidity and even pressure across the pads (especially when using the thumb) those are both issues that I feel are very much "in development" on my end and I can't really say that I have any particularly useful ideas about that are worth sharing. I am actually trying to work a few things out around those issues on my end, and if I find helpful approaches I will be happy to share them. Please do the same! Thanks again!
this was a pretty useful video, man. thank you i am thinking of getting the Linn Instrument..and this was a very good overview on certain details of its playability . You mention that it _won’t let you play 4 notes vertically in the same row/column(?).. What do you mean, exactly ? PS: i am a mallet percussion guy, and i can manage pretty well on the bass (& guitar). i wonder if this as seamless as it appears to being.. I’m getting a sense that it somewhat demanding, on its learning curve. i have got a Native Instruments Maschine Jam, which uses the grid approach too.. and sometimes i play a few VSTs with it, in Ableton.. I quite like the grid approach,,,but it definitely requires that closed-eyes practicing bit, you mention..in order for one to actually be able to play loosely, and in a fluid skilled way. btw.. you mention that you enjoy the two handed approach to the Linn Instrument, instead of sticking just to the melodic right hand approach. So ..in your opinion, going with the 128 model., will feel a somewhat lacking ? thanks cheers from Portugal
Thanks for the kind words. As far as the 4 notes issue...yes, if you try to play four notes in the same column, it won't let you. so you can play three notes, but the fourth won't sound. For the vast majority of users, this isn't an issue, but if you do a lot of two handed playing with complex chords it can be a bit of a pain. But at the end of the day there are work-arounds. As far as the 128 vs. full model, it seems like for the vast majority of users, the 128 is enough. For me, I like having as many available notes as possible because I use it as a traditional keyboard replacement quite often, and I like to be able to have as wide a range as possible, but even for me, 90% of the time, the 128 would suffice. My impression is that generally, people who buy the Linnstrument are happy they did, but obviously everyone's needs are different. It has been amazing for me. Best of luck whatever decision you make!
@@reckon104 Stephen.. This was great feedback _ a really good reply. Thanks so much. I reckon i am gonna try out the 128. But not before investing in a handful of solid MPE VSTs _ I'm thinking Swam, by Audio Modeling. Have you tried those? I'm a jazz and complex harmonies guy..so I believe the full Linn Inst would be ideal...but there's nothing like making use of the return policies, and see by myself. I really enjoyed some if the voicings you explored here...namely the stuff with fourths. Again, thanks very much Really appreciated this. ;) Cheers from Portugal
Instructing video! But how did you make the live layout display for the linnstrument, where the notes light up in orange... is that natively part of Bitwig or a daw plugin?
Great video - thank you! Regarding the Bill Evans 4th chord voicing that requires 4 notes in a row going up - is that still a constraint and if so, do you know if that is something Roger Linn has addressed? I'm wondering if that can be dealt with in a software/firmware update. Keep up the great content!
Thanks! I believe that is an issue that is "baked in" to the way the Linnstrument is currently made and I don't think Roger has any plans to change it. It's not a huge deal and you can certainly get around it by splitting the voicing between two hands, but it is probably always going to be one of the biggest limitations of the Linnstrument.
Good question! I find in many ways the linnstrument, particularly because of it's isomorphic layout, is a bit easier to do certain things, particularly when you're a mediocre keyboard player (like me) ! Essentially, shapes don't change as you change keys, whereas on piano transposition can be a pain.
The kind of expressiveness you can get from something like this, you really can't do that on a piano keyboard. In terms of the notes and such, sure you can do that. While you can certainly with a little bit of work program in or create some really cool slides, vibrato and bends on a keyboard, I think it's that tactile feel and touch that makes something like the Linnstrument a very unique thing. For the price of it compared to some other alternative playing surfaces, this is affordable and in my opinion sounds just better.
Learning 11 different fingerings for each key made me not want to play keyboards much for decades, despite owning a dozen different ones. But I'm primarily a guitarist and everyones situation is different. It's not about what's the best period, that's missing the point, only what's best for you.
This layout (in fourths by row) is not comfortable for chords. At least not for the human hand. Sorry, but that is the harsh truth. And to be honest, we can't see what your hand is actually doing on the LinnStrument itself. At all.
Well, I think we'll have to agree to disagree about that :) Yeah, I know it would have been better if I could have included a split screen with my hands, but actually thought the bitwig screen made it easier to see the actual notes being played. But you can clearly see my hands, which are using the things I talk about, in this video: ua-cam.com/video/nWZg1JRZirY/v-deo.html
@@reckon104 But on that video ou are using mainly one shape in your left hand. The simplest things people would learn is major and minor triads + all the inversions... both hands. Then we can add the diminished chord. Then we continue to the so called "seventh" chords and most of their inversions. Please, at least show us how those simple triads (and their inversions) would translate on this layout.
I hear you, but I did say at the beginning of the video that it pre-supposes familiarity with the basic triadic shapes, etc. and that it was elucidating a specific approach that I find helpful for dynamic movement and not an overview of the basics. You can certainly find those basic shapes elsewhere. Best of luck!
@@reckon104 You have it (the Linnstrument). Please, show us the simple triads and inversions, then some "seventh" chords. Maybe a song or accompaniment or two would be helpful. But let me guess... It will be difficult, because the instrument is a grid and not suitable for such playing. For soloing and making slides and volume polyphonics is fine (sound design)
Please give us another installment! This is very helpful.
Thanks for watching and feedback!
The linnstrument community is really in need of this kind of video, thank you so much and please make more!
I really appreciate the feedback Harry, thanks so much!
Steve -
This is superb! Exactly what I have been looking for as a new Linnstrument player!
Namely helping to create a foundation for improvisational two-handed playing.
So to answer the question you posed in the video: YES! By all means create more!
Thanks! Glad it is useful.
This was incredibly edifying. Thank you for sharing your insights!
Glad you found it helpful!
Great video Stephen. It has sent my Linnstrument playing in totally new direction. Yes please - give us more videos on two handed playing :-)
Thanks! I'm glad you found it helpful.
As someone learning Linnstrument without much keyboard background, this video was incredibly helpful and really got me going with useful chord voicings! You’re a great presenter too: this is paced just right, no wasted time but no unexplained jumps - something that can be said of very few UA-cam tutorials.
Thank you so much David, that is such kind feedback!
I made it to the end and found it very helpful... i'd definitely love to hear and see more ;-) Thanks for taking the time!
Thanks for watching and the kind words!
Thanks for sharing your approach! It's so nice to see someone talking through applied theory in regard to Linnstrument.
Edit: I've made it till the end :-) Please, keep em' coming!
Thanks so much. Impressive endurance to make it all the way through! Wasn't sure anyone would :)
Thanks. This video has been really helpful with my Linnstrument. I would love to see more. There are really not many tutorials on Linnstrument technique.
Thanks so much for the feedback!
1:55 start playing Octaves in the left hand
2:17 basic Major and Minor triads in the left hand
2:55 using Thumb and index finger for playing octaves
4:20 starting practice routine, closed eyes octaves
4:33 add in the Major 3rd
10:08 stacked 4ths
12:15 up the ladder of stacked 4ths
Thanks for doing this, I'm sure some folks will find this very helpful!
great stuff. was thrilled till the end. I am really inspired of your approach and the sound of it. Thank you for your insights!
Thanks so much for the kind words!
This video rocks. It applies directly to Deluge users as well. I was trying to follow along on my Deluge, while I wait for my Linnstrument to arrive. If you ever felt like making more instructional content, it'd be appreciated! :D
Thanks for watching and hope you enjoy your linnstrument!
Very helpful, thanks for the video. Please do more!
Thanks so much for the feedback!
This is great! Please share more videos on LinnStrument techniques.
Thanks for the feedback. I'll try to keep it shorter next time!
Been revisiting this video and its been really useful for me! Would love to see a follow up!!!
Thanks for watching and for the feedback. I am glad you've found it helpful!
Great lesson with a ton of usable content - thanks Stephen. Any chance you could do more?
Thanks so much David ! I am contemplating doing a series called "LinnProvisation"...we'll see if I get it together!
@@reckon104 mark me down as very interested if you do.
Will do David! In the meantime, have a blast with your linnstrument!
Thanks for putting this vid out there. really helpful!
Glad it was helpful!
This is so great ! I hope you will do more tutorials very soon !!
Thanks a lot Stephen
Thanks so much for watching! I am planning on doing some more at some point!
Fantastic! Really helpful. I'd be grateful if you can share more videos! Thank you!
Thanks so much for the kind words! I am planning to do some more.
incredible teaching... thx!
Glad it was helpful!
this is great tutorial. this kind of play style can be applied universally for any grid based midi controller. Please do more! I'm willing to pay for it actually.
Thanks and glad you found it useful!
Very informative, very relevant. thx Steph.
Thanks so much Finn. Appreciate the kind words.
This is really interesting. Thanks!
If you do another one, I'd love video along with this so I can see exactly how you're holding your hands etc.
Noted! Thanks for watching!
Man! I watched the whole video. Definitely interested in more content like this from you. I'm going to spend some time playing around with your D and J shapes. Still a little out of my depth when it comes to how those voicings work, but looking forward to exploring them with my ears, and trying to incorporate them into some progressions. I am usually a one-handed Linnstrument player, playing it strapped like a guitar, but the richness of the voicings have got me itching to get into more two handed play.
Thanks for watching! Using those two shapes is a great way to get into cool jazz/blues voicings and they were really the first two I learned when I started playing piano. There's a reason why they're so popular! Good luck!
so great man thanks! theres a lot of possibility with the Linnstrument even besides MPE in the future its nice to have good info on things being done with it!
Thanks so much for watching and the kind words!
Ps: really interested in more indepth videos regarding the linnstrument... chords, voicings, even more advanced stuff.. if you have time I'm one of those who would really appreciate it
Thanks for watching! I am hoping to more in the future.
Thanks for this fantastic video. I’d be very interested to see your hand positioning on other videos too, for example showing transitions (although these were obvious). How about melodic fluidity? Any exercises? How do you find use of the different fingers and thumb in regards to getting even pressure distribution across the keys? Any tips? Love your playing, btw. Look forward to more.
Thanks so much for watching, and I'm very happy if it was at all helpful. In terms of both melodic fluidity and even pressure across the pads (especially when using the thumb) those are both issues that I feel are very much "in development" on my end and I can't really say that I have any particularly useful ideas about that are worth sharing. I am actually trying to work a few things out around those issues on my end, and if I find helpful approaches I will be happy to share them. Please do the same! Thanks again!
Thank u sir , we waiting more videos...
Thanks! I hope to do another one sometime!
Really helpful video. Making me want bitwig.Thanks!
Glad it was helpful! Thanks for watching.
Bien buen instrumento expresivo para mejorar el sonido de los instrumentos y cualquier sonido..bien animo y vayamos con alegrías..
Gracias!
A top-down view of your hands on the instrument would be incredibly helpful.
Duly noted! If I make more, I plan to do that. Thx for watching!
Please more! :D
I am seriously considering doing so! Thanks!
this was a pretty useful video, man. thank you
i am thinking of getting the Linn Instrument..and this was a very good overview on certain details of its playability .
You mention that it _won’t let you play 4 notes vertically in the same row/column(?)..
What do you mean, exactly ?
PS: i am a mallet percussion guy, and i can manage pretty well on the bass (& guitar).
i wonder if this as seamless as it appears to being.. I’m getting a sense that it somewhat demanding, on its learning curve.
i have got a Native Instruments Maschine Jam, which uses the grid approach too.. and sometimes i play a few VSTs with it, in Ableton.. I quite like the grid approach,,,but it definitely requires that closed-eyes practicing bit, you mention..in order for one to actually be able to play loosely, and in a fluid skilled way.
btw.. you mention that you enjoy the two handed approach to the Linn Instrument, instead of sticking just to the melodic right hand approach. So ..in your opinion, going with the 128 model., will feel a somewhat lacking ?
thanks
cheers from Portugal
Thanks for the kind words.
As far as the 4 notes issue...yes, if you try to play four notes in the same column, it won't let you. so you can play three notes, but the fourth won't sound. For the vast majority of users, this isn't an issue, but if you do a lot of two handed playing with complex chords it can be a bit of a pain. But at the end of the day there are work-arounds.
As far as the 128 vs. full model, it seems like for the vast majority of users, the 128 is enough. For me, I like having as many available notes as possible because I use it as a traditional keyboard replacement quite often, and I like to be able to have as wide a range as possible, but even for me, 90% of the time, the 128 would suffice.
My impression is that generally, people who buy the Linnstrument are happy they did, but obviously everyone's needs are different. It has been amazing for me.
Best of luck whatever decision you make!
@@reckon104 Stephen.. This was great feedback _ a really good reply. Thanks so much.
I reckon i am gonna try out the 128. But not before investing in a handful of solid MPE VSTs _ I'm thinking Swam, by Audio Modeling.
Have you tried those?
I'm a jazz and complex harmonies guy..so I believe the full Linn Inst would be ideal...but
there's nothing like making use of the return policies, and see by myself.
I really enjoyed some if the voicings you explored here...namely the stuff with fourths.
Again, thanks very much
Really appreciated this.
;)
Cheers from Portugal
Instructing video! But how did you make the live layout display for the linnstrument, where the notes light up in orange... is that natively part of Bitwig or a daw plugin?
It is a Bitwig feature!
i would like to suggest shorter videos that focus on small concepts that can all sort of build on eachother
Thanks for the feedback. I will keep that in mind if I make more!
@@reckon104 Please do!
Great video - thank you! Regarding the Bill Evans 4th chord voicing that requires 4 notes in a row going up - is that still a constraint and if so, do you know if that is something Roger Linn has addressed? I'm wondering if that can be dealt with in a software/firmware update. Keep up the great content!
Thanks! I believe that is an issue that is "baked in" to the way the Linnstrument is currently made and I don't think Roger has any plans to change it. It's not a huge deal and you can certainly get around it by splitting the voicing between two hands, but it is probably always going to be one of the biggest limitations of the Linnstrument.
Nice tutorial. What right-hand fingering are you using for the three stacked fourths? How about the three stacked fifths?
Thanks for watching. For the fourths I use thumb/index/middle; for the fifths typically index/middle/ring.
Where could I find the video for basic chord shapes and triads?
I think there are some diagrams on Roger's web page as well as elsewhere on the net if you poke around.
Hard to understand/see what your actually playing with all the lights lighting up.
Thanks for feedback. If I do more, I will try to show my actual hands as well.
Why not just use a standard piano keyboard?
Good question! I find in many ways the linnstrument, particularly because of it's isomorphic layout, is a bit easier to do certain things, particularly when you're a mediocre keyboard player (like me) ! Essentially, shapes don't change as you change keys, whereas on piano transposition can be a pain.
The kind of expressiveness you can get from something like this, you really can't do that on a piano keyboard. In terms of the notes and such, sure you can do that. While you can certainly with a little bit of work program in or create some really cool slides, vibrato and bends on a keyboard, I think it's that tactile feel and touch that makes something like the Linnstrument a very unique thing. For the price of it compared to some other alternative playing surfaces, this is affordable and in my opinion sounds just better.
Learning 11 different fingerings for each key made me not want to play keyboards much for decades, despite owning a dozen different ones. But I'm primarily a guitarist and everyones situation is different. It's not about what's the best period, that's missing the point, only what's best for you.
This layout (in fourths by row) is not comfortable for chords. At least not for the human hand. Sorry, but that is the harsh truth.
And to be honest, we can't see what your hand is actually doing on the LinnStrument itself. At all.
Well, I think we'll have to agree to disagree about that :) Yeah, I know it would have been better if I could have included a split screen with my hands, but actually thought the bitwig screen made it easier to see the actual notes being played. But you can clearly see my hands, which are using the things I talk about, in this video: ua-cam.com/video/nWZg1JRZirY/v-deo.html
@@reckon104 But on that video ou are using mainly one shape in your left hand. The simplest things people would learn is major and minor triads + all the inversions... both hands. Then we can add the diminished chord.
Then we continue to the so called "seventh" chords and most of their inversions.
Please, at least show us how those simple triads (and their inversions) would translate on this layout.
I hear you, but I did say at the beginning of the video that it pre-supposes familiarity with the basic triadic shapes, etc. and that it was elucidating a specific approach that I find helpful for dynamic movement and not an overview of the basics. You can certainly find those basic shapes elsewhere. Best of luck!
@@reckon104 You have it (the Linnstrument). Please, show us the simple triads and inversions, then some "seventh" chords. Maybe a song or accompaniment or two would be helpful.
But let me guess... It will be difficult, because the instrument is a grid and not suitable for such playing.
For soloing and making slides and volume polyphonics is fine (sound design)