The Samchillian Tip Tip Tip Cheeepeeeee (patent #5565641) is a keyboard MIDI controller of my own invention based on changes of pitch, rather than fixed pitches. This scheme gives the performer the ability to perform extremely quick, rhapsodical lines.

Extended information

Here's how it works: each key on the keyboard does not denote a fixed pitch, as it would on a normal keyboard, but rather a change of pitch. A user first selects a scale and a key (e.g. F# pentatonic), and then every note played will be in that set of notes. For example a key might be the "+1" key, which when pressed would sound the note one higher than the last note played in the selected note set; another might be "-2", and so on. By playing these two keys in rapid succession, for example, one would hear the following spiralling pattern:

C#, G# (down), A# (up), F# (down), G# (up), D# (down) etc.

Also the user is able to select from a number of scales, including microtonal scales and key signatures. A pattern, or "harmonic contour", once learned, can then be played in any key or scale without needing to relearn fingering.

In the current incarnation I use a modified PC computer keyboard (made by Kinesis™ and painted by legendary graffiti artist Lonnie Heller), which plugs into a "black box" containing the circuitry that generates MIDI information. This information is then sent to a sampler or synthesizer which creates the sound.

Technical specifications

unique "relativistic" concept allows improvisational flurries. an entire scale can be played with one key
10 scales, including microtonal, with chromatic shift and chromatic step
12 relative transpositions
pattern ("tone row") mode: allows user to play a set of non-repeating notes in and then play them back in various ways
chord mode: fixed harmonies play with each note
voltage control pedal
internal lo-fi sine tone -"native samchillian sound". (pitch affected by control pedal)
pedalboard stores 'samchillian patches', with such information as scale and key, starting note, etc.
pedalboard also stores patch changes.
optimized for live peformance: extensive song and set mode operation
lightweight keyboard straps on for mobility on stage
indicator lights
endless pitch wheel
informative LCD display
load/save internal memory as sysex dump