[ad_1]Dijilele instrument prototypes, design (L& R) and in use (Middle) (Images courtesy of Dijilele)Microtonal music is gaining popularity in pop culture lately, thanks to the unexpected success of the Québec band Angine de Poitrine. However, microtonal music has a rich history that goes back thousands of years within classical Indian, Persian, and Arabic/Turkish maqam systems. Even Europe has seen experiments with microtonality since the 17th century. These musical traditions continue through acoustic instruments like the Persian setar, which belongs to the lute family. Until recently though, once you moved into digital music, there were no specific instruments designed to create microtones. Dijilele, a fresh digital musical instrument company located in Waterloo, Ontario recently showcased a new type of instrument at the Queen Street West Art Crawl in Toronto. The event featured demonstrations by award-winning composer and performer Dr. Mehrdad Jafari Raad alongside Wilfrid Laurier Faculty of Music student Jonathan Markov. The company's two latest instruments - Dijilele M and Dijilele S - are currently being produced. These sensor-based digital musical tools have been developed to make creating music and microtonal sounds easy for even beginners. The Dijilele S looks like a soprano ukulele and merges digital and electronic music within a fretted instrument design. On the other hand, the Dijilele M supports various microtonal scales and tunings, enhancing what an acoustic ukulele can do as it only produces fixed notes using 12-tone equal temperament. This takes fretted instruments beyond their usual constraints. Dr. Mehrdad Jafari Raad plays on the Dijilele using it as a MIDI controller along with a library of sounds: DetailsBoth Dijilele models can be used separately or serve as MIDI controllers, enabling exploration into both traditional Western styles and microtonal compositions.SpecsThe Dijilele M features numerous options aimed at accessibility while encouraging experimentation.40 frets, 40 tuning options; Customizable tunings and pitch systems; 2.5-octave sound range; User-friendly design suitable for smaller hands; One-click left-handed mode; Headphone jack for private practice anywhere; 128 onboard sounds; MIDI capability for interacting with apps, software instruments, and countless digital sounds.LV caught up with Ali Tehrani from Dijilele along with Mehrdad Jafari Raad to discuss these groundbreaking instruments.Ali Tehrani and Mehrdad Jafari Raad: The InterviewRaad teaches using both the Dijilele S and M models. “The instrument we call Djiliele or setar is modeled after an Iranian stringed instrument called setar,” explains Raad. “It’s quite common,” he adds. "This represents its electronic counterpart. You play it just like you would play a setar-the handling is exactly alike.” He highlights that while there are several digital fretted devices available now including MIDI guitars, none can naturally produce microtones out of the box. The acoustic setar is played using fingernails-a skill that requires time to master-as Tehrani notes: “It has four strings played with your nail.” It’s been around for about 2,000 years as he points out. "I used to play this myself-and still do! I thought transforming this into a digital version would help more people access it." He admits it's not hard to make sound but mastering traditional setar takes years." "I thought if I made this digital it would simplify learning while allowing integration with other instruments," says Tehrani. "It's tough convincing someone to commit two or three years before they get results.” The design focuses on user-friendliness. “You don’t have to be precise when strumming,” Ali mentions. “It gives Western musicians an opportunity to explore microtones.” Tehrani observes that some Western artists adapt keyboards or guitars for microtonality through technical means via DAWs but that process needs knowledge-“They take standard keyboards then tune keys to specific frequencies.” The new instruments come ready with such capabilities built right in!A Labour of LoveTehrani began working on this concept back in 2011 through extensive trials and prototypes.“I've been involved since 2011-it turned out much harder than expected,” he recalls. “The first prototype came together that year-I shared it among musicians who provided feedback.”Years passed before developing an easily playable model suitable for all skill levels By 2015 , he circulated his version among various music festivals again seeking input.“Reaching this stage where anyone could comfortably play was evolutionary” Tehrani comments. "With acoustic variants , players must push strings against frets firmly enough for strong notes requiring finger calluses. ”"Some folks just can't handle that discomfort." His idea was presenting an option free from those physical demands. "People will stick around if they find something manageable."Students learn the Dijilele (Photo courtesy of Dijilele)A Teaching InstrumentAs someone deeply familiar with teaching , Mehrdad Jafari Raad understood beginner students’ challenges firsthand.“We began last year working with students having no prior experience playing any instrument," he shares. “I realized their learning curve compared favorably against learning acoustic setar-they could produce proper sound fairly quickly."Even those without backgrounds found themselves capable enough early on producing recognizable melodies sooner than anticipated !“With traditional acoustic setars weeks go by before reaching such proficiency," he remarks ". Students needing time honing each hand separately just grasp basic movements required."This innovative tool not only removes initial hurdles but enables quicker ensemble playing too! "They collaborate musically right away on easier pieces,” he allows,” Yet achieving same progress wouldn’t happen otherwise via either tar or setar". Tar referring another stringed device found across classical genres throughout Iran Azerbaijan Caucasus regions."That really intrigued me because students seemed more likely pursuing ongoing lessons once feeling confident creating real music!" adds Raad.Whetting the Appetite &nbsp ;&nbsp ; &nbsp ; &nbsp &nbsp ; &nbsp ; &nbsp&nbsp ; &nbsp &nbsp ; &nbsp ; _______________________________________________________________________ } } }
