Viajero Posted August 6, 2008 Share Posted August 6, 2008 When travelling, waiting for cast members etc, it's nice to do some transciption to keep the musical mind ticking over. I'm not great at it, but feel great when I get something written out all purdy-like. Thing is, I don't have perfect pitch, so I need something to give me notes while I do it. The bass is ideal, but if I'm on a train it's no good. So, what can I carry around in my bag that will give me notes? Perhaps a Stylophone? You can pick them up for 15 quid or so, it seems. Does anyone know if they can do chords? If, as I suspect, this idea is very flawed, can anyone suggest another small note-making device? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
acidbass Posted August 6, 2008 Share Posted August 6, 2008 I've seen these for sale in Urban Outfitters and I was very intrigued by their uses! Might consider picking one up myself if someone on here can give a positive recommendation Danny Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phil_the_bassist Posted August 6, 2008 Share Posted August 6, 2008 Do they have a socket for headphones? you may well have to have it surgically removed from a delicate orifice courtesy of your fellow passengers if you're sat working out Sir Duke on a stylophone on the rushour commute w/out headphones! Good plan tho, if it works I can see it being an invaluable tool! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest BassKS Posted August 6, 2008 Share Posted August 6, 2008 Oh yes, The very gadget that made Rolf Harris a sex god among the female OAPs. Thats not the reason why i got it though. Its an awesome piece of kit that can be used very well. I got mine for a tenner before soundcontrol closed. Its monophonic and therefore you cant play chords... with overdrive and a delay it sounds great... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spinynorman Posted August 6, 2008 Share Posted August 6, 2008 Assuming you're not trying to do this standing up on a crowded commuter train and already have a laptop, software like [url="http://www.guitar-pro.com/en/index.php"]Guitar Pro[/url] lets you build parts for one or more instruments, you can build parts using tab or standard notation, it will play back each note as you add it, will handle chords and will even show you where the notes are on a guitar/bass neck or keyboard. It's also quite cheap for what it does and you can save your work. Final clinching benefit, no Rolf Harris jokes from your fellow passengers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Viajero Posted August 6, 2008 Author Share Posted August 6, 2008 Good shout on Guitar Pro, but I'm thinking of the lo-fi moments here. [url="http://www.iwantoneofthose.com/stylophone/index.html"]These[/url] appear to have headphone out sockets AND input sockets for running your iPod in so you can play along. The more I look, the more I think it might be good. Combine it with a lovely Moleskine pocket sheet music book and you're away. If I can get one in time for my trip to London tomorrow, I'll let you know how it is when I get back. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Galilee Posted August 6, 2008 Share Posted August 6, 2008 Make sure you wear a huge kipper tie and platform-heeled boots whilst you're sitting on the train listening to yourself play that through headphones. I'm willing to bet you'll get a whole double seat to yourself at least. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cheddatom Posted August 6, 2008 Share Posted August 6, 2008 Can't you get a mini 2 octave keyboard? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigBeefChief Posted August 6, 2008 Share Posted August 6, 2008 Couldn't resist, had to buy one. It says its showing up tomorrow. I'll let you know how I get on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Viajero Posted August 6, 2008 Author Share Posted August 6, 2008 That's what I was thinking, but I can't locate one so far. You seem to get an octave and a half on the Stylo, but I fear it will be useless for hearing harmony. I should dress in a 70s way, certainly. Perhaps I'll end up sitting next to an 80s guy with a huge ghetto blaster, and an alarm clock round his neck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
markytbass Posted August 6, 2008 Share Posted August 6, 2008 I saw some in HMV last weekend. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jean-Luc Pickguard Posted August 6, 2008 Share Posted August 6, 2008 (edited) They had a pile of them in my local zavvi priced at a tenner. I was almost tempted, but I still have my original one from the 70s, which has been personally signed by Rolf with a Rolfaroo on the back. Edited August 6, 2008 by Jean-Luc Pickguard Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MB1 Posted August 6, 2008 Share Posted August 6, 2008 [quote name='Viajero' post='256320' date='Aug 6 2008, 02:38 PM']When travelling, waiting for cast members etc, it's nice to do some transciption to keep the musical mind ticking over. I'm not great at it, but feel great when I get something written out all purdy-like. Thing is, I don't have perfect pitch, so I need something to give me notes while I do it. The bass is ideal, but if I'm on a train it's no good. So, what can I carry around in my bag that will give me notes? Perhaps a Stylophone? You can pick them up for 15 quid or so, it seems. Does anyone know if they can do chords? If, as I suspect, this idea is very flawed, can anyone suggest another small note-making device?[/quote] MB1. A cashcard!....Sorry! i'll Get me Coat! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Funkmaster Posted August 6, 2008 Share Posted August 6, 2008 [quote name='cheddatom' post='256399' date='Aug 6 2008, 03:44 PM']Can't you get a mini 2 octave keyboard?[/quote] There used to be a two (or three?) octave Stylophone back in the Rolf era. I know cause I used to have one [i]'back in the day' [/i]and it was great fun! I seem to remember that it had two playing styluses so must have been duophonic? (But I might be remembering it wrong!) And it was a lot more bulky than the usual model though. I don't think it was available for very long too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigRedX Posted August 6, 2008 Share Posted August 6, 2008 Stylophone's only monophonic (one note at a time) I'd go for [url="http://www.global.yamaha.com/tenori-on/"]one of these[/url] for the ultimate in on-the-move compositional cool! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ahpook Posted August 6, 2008 Share Posted August 6, 2008 stylophones iz teh nazz Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Funkmaster Posted August 6, 2008 Share Posted August 6, 2008 [quote name='Funkmaster' post='256621' date='Aug 6 2008, 07:10 PM']There used to be a two (or three?) octave Stylophone back in the Rolf era. I know cause I used to have one [i]'back in the day' [/i]and it was great fun! I seem to remember that it had two playing styluses so must have been duophonic? (But I might be remembering it wrong!) And it was a lot more bulky than the usual model though. I don't think it was available for very long too.[/quote] Just been on a trip down memory lane - well google anyway - only picture of the [b][i]350s[/i] [/b]'big one' I can find is on here. [url="http://www.stylophone.fsnet.co.uk/"]http://www.stylophone.fsnet.co.uk/[/url] Two styli too - brain must still be working a bit then! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr.Dave Posted August 6, 2008 Share Posted August 6, 2008 (edited) Isn't there one in 'Space Oddity' - 'Ground control to Major Tom' etc Anyone ancient enough to remember those Wasp synths? Like a keyboard back scuttled a Stylophone and the Wasp was it's accidental love child. Edited August 6, 2008 by Dr.Dave Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jean-Luc Pickguard Posted August 6, 2008 Share Posted August 6, 2008 [quote name='Dr.Dave' post='256668' date='Aug 6 2008, 07:46 PM']Isn't there one in 'Space Oddity' - 'Ground control to Major Tom' etc[/quote] Yep - Also used on pocket calculator by Kraftwerk Reconditioned original ones are available [url="http://www.stylophone.com/"]here[/url] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lfalex v1.1 Posted August 6, 2008 Share Posted August 6, 2008 [quote name='Viajero' post='256507' date='Aug 6 2008, 05:26 PM']That's what I was thinking, but I can't locate one so far. You seem to get an octave and a half on the Stylo, but I fear it will be useless for hearing harmony. I should dress in a 70s way, certainly. Perhaps I'll end up sitting next to an 80s guy with a huge ghetto blaster, and an alarm clock round his neck.[/quote] If it's going on public transport, I can heartily recommend a battery-powered Theremin... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kirky Posted August 6, 2008 Share Posted August 6, 2008 My favourite use of the stylophone is on "All my hollowness to you!" by the Tall Dwarfs. Positively orchestral! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrisba Posted August 7, 2008 Share Posted August 7, 2008 Great Stylophone solo on the end of "Slip Away" by Bowie. Find it on YouTube, lovely bass playing in the live version [url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hU2DycMdLHg"]here[/url]. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tracer Posted August 7, 2008 Share Posted August 7, 2008 Style by Orbital was almost entirely made from Stylophone samples, if I remember right. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lee-Man Posted August 7, 2008 Share Posted August 7, 2008 [quote name='Viajero' post='256320' date='Aug 6 2008, 02:38 PM']When travelling, waiting for cast members etc, it's nice to do some transciption to keep the musical mind ticking over. I'm not great at it, but feel great when I get something written out all purdy-like. Thing is, I don't have perfect pitch, so I need something to give me notes while I do it. The bass is ideal, but if I'm on a train it's no good. So, what can I carry around in my bag that will give me notes? Perhaps a Stylophone? You can pick them up for 15 quid or so, it seems. Does anyone know if they can do chords? If, as I suspect, this idea is very flawed, can anyone suggest another small note-making device?[/quote] Sorry mate, it can't do chords. Just got one for my birthday, realy enjoyed anoying every one with my Specials renditions on it! Have you thought about an old Yamaha QY20? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BassMunkee Posted August 8, 2008 Share Posted August 8, 2008 If it was good enough for Pete Murphy... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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