1. Electric Instruments

2. Definition An Electric Instrument produces sound mechanically but that sound is altered or amplified electronically An Electric Instrument produces sound mechanically but that sound is altered or amplified electronically Different from “electronic” instruments like synthesizers which produce sound entirely by electronics. Different from “electronic” instruments like synthesizers which produce sound entirely by electronics.

3. Parts and Gadgets Built in pickup or microphone acts as a transducer Built in pickup or microphone acts as a transducer Pickup converts mechanical vibrations to electrical signals by disturbance of magnetic field Pickup converts mechanical vibrations to electrical signals by disturbance of magnetic field Microphone – dynamic also works through magnetic field Microphone – dynamic also works through magnetic field Loud speaker receives signal and amplifies it. Loud speaker receives signal and amplifies it. Signal sent via cable from instrument to amplifier Signal sent via cable from instrument to amplifier

4. Brief History Electrical amplification – radio industry 1920s Electrical amplification – radio industry 1920s Instruments needed to be louder but maintain their acoustic properties. Instruments needed to be louder but maintain their acoustic properties. Electric guitar began as hollow bodied instruments with microphones or used tungsten pickups Electric guitar began as hollow bodied instruments with microphones or used tungsten pickups Semi hollow electric guitars were invented in the 1930s by Rickenbacker Semi hollow electric guitars were invented in the 1930s by Rickenbacker Used tungsten pickups Used tungsten pickups Solid body invented in 1942 by Les Paul Solid body invented in 1942 by Les Paul First became popular in 30s and 40s because of big band jazz First became popular in 30s and 40s because of big band jazz

5. Electric Guitar and Bass Guitar needed to be just as loud as the other instruments in the band. Guitar needed to be just as loud as the other instruments in the band. Jazz horn sections Jazz horn sections Drum set Drum set Vocals Vocals Movement of strings creates small electric current that is sent through a cable to an amplifier. Movement of strings creates small electric current that is sent through a cable to an amplifier. Amplifier acts as the sound source Amplifier acts as the sound source Signal can be “shaped” as it passes from the pickup to the amplifier Signal can be “shaped” as it passes from the pickup to the amplifier “Wah wahs” “Wah wahs”

6. Other Electric Stringed Instruments Electric violins, violas, and cellos work off of the same principles as electric guitars Electric violins, violas, and cellos work off of the same principles as electric guitars Strings are bowed not plucked or strummed Strings are bowed not plucked or strummed Prevalent in rock band type performances Prevalent in rock band type performances Trans Siberian Orchestra – electric violinist Mark Wood. He now owns the largest electric violin company in the world and hand builds all of his violins. Trans Siberian Orchestra – electric violinist Mark Wood. He now owns the largest electric violin company in the world and hand builds all of his violins. Carol of the Bells Carol of the Bells Carol of the Bells Carol of the Bells

7. Wind Instruments Some just use microphones Some just use microphones Built in pickups or special mouthpieces Built in pickups or special mouthpieces Pickup is sensitive to the vibration of the air column. Pickup is sensitive to the vibration of the air column. Electric Trombone - Pickup is located in a mute that is placed in the bell of the trombone Electric Trombone - Pickup is located in a mute that is placed in the bell of the trombone Darren Kramer Darren Kramer Darren Kramer Darren Kramer

8. Flute Make flute cooler! Make flute cooler! Extended techniques for a jazzy style Extended techniques for a jazzy style Polyphonics, tongue rams, key clicks, singing and playing… Polyphonics, tongue rams, key clicks, singing and playing… Beatboxing Flute player – Greg Patillo Beatboxing Flute player – Greg PatilloGreg PatilloGreg Patillo

9. Electric Flute Flute sound is produced when air column strikes solid edge and is split in half Flute sound is produced when air column strikes solid edge and is split in half Cork is replaced with a pickup Cork is replaced with a pickup Finally made the flute LOUDER Finally made the flute LOUDER Broadened the horizon of extended techniques. Broadened the horizon of extended techniques. Stefan Keller Stefan Keller Stefan Keller Stefan Keller Iasos Iasos Iasos