NS Design welcomes cellist Maddy Herdeman to our roster of esteemed Artists. Maddy fronts the unique chamber rock band Mystery Loves Company. Maddy lends her powerful voice and robust cello technique along with Venezuelan born guitarist/songwriter Carlos Machado, clarinetist Alauna Rubin, drummer Danny Patterson and bassist Jeremy Dudman. Based in Houston, Texas , Maddy and Co. have carved out exciting live performances of their original songs combining timely themes of culture, immigration, science, and theology.
“My NS cello has a sleek design, powerful and warm sound and the unique frame strap system allows me to wear it and dance around the stage.” – Maddy Herdeman
If you could take all the energy you use to hold your violin and apply it to your playing, would you play differently? Optimal chin rest position is crucial for player comfort. Full adjustment allows each player to customize the chin rest to fit vastly different body shapes and playing styles. Using your hand to overcome the friction of the clamp allows you to experiment to find a desirable chin rest angle. The chin rest can tilt forward and back, as well as left and right.
The clamping screws in the center of each hub can be adjusted to provide the desired amount of friction to insure that the chin rest does not move in use.
Using the 5/32″ hex wrench (provided) to adjust the level of friction, the chin rest position can also be moved closer or further from the instrument. It can also be rotated more to the center or more to the side.
With much anticipation from fans and followers, NS Cellist Katie Larson and her Indie Folk-Rock band The Accidentals are celebrating their recent signing as Sony Materworks Artists and the release of a new album, Odyssey.
Here we go! The ODYSSEY Album Release Tour…Huge props to Ryan Slone New Frontier Touring for making it happen. See all the tour dates at www.theaccidentalsmusic.com #odysseyboldly
The Odyssey Album Release Tourkicked off in New York City and continues with several dates throughout the US, continuing into Canada, back to their beloved Michigan and beyond. With many musical stories to tell along the way, be sure to check out a show and share their journey.
“The Accidentals draw inspiration from just about every kind of music you can think of, but it really doesn’t matter what you label them as long as your label contains the word ‘great’.” -“45 of the Best Up & Coming Rock Bands to Check Out in 2017,” GoodDeedSeats
Katie Larson along with bandmate Savannah Buist, violinist/vocalist, are both multi-instrumentalists, and combined with the talents of singer/songwriter/drummer/percussionist Michael Dause, The Accidentals provide an edgy and energetic soundscape that renowned musicians have noticed and that audiences around the country respond to.
Photo credit: Max Sharp
“The musicianship and delicate preciseness to their music is unparalleled to anything else we’ve heard from talents of this age.” Raves from theAnn Arbor Indie Music Examiner
This hardworking young trio have toured extensively as supporting acts and have also joined the stage with some of the greats. The list is both diverse and impressive: Martin Sexton, Brandi Carlile, Joan Baez, Arlo Guthrie, Keller Williams, Andrew Bird, Dar Williams, Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Rusted Root, The Wailers, and so on.
“Displaying a genre-hopping range of influence and some smart songwriting skills to go with their abundant musical chops.”-“SXSW: 7 Breakout Acts”, BillboardMagazine
The Accidentals first single released from Odyssey is called “KW”. Check out an exciting live version of “KW” from Founders Brewery featuring Katie moving and grooving with her NS CR Cello and NS Frame Strap System. In Katie’s own words: “The NS Design cello and harness system are so versatile in design and tone that they lend themselves to any situation; jazz jams, symphony concerts, outdoor music festivals, theater shows, house concerts, punk clubs, etc. I’ve used it in every situation and I’ve never had this much fun playing cello.”
To find links to their new album, tour dates and much more about The Accidentals visit their website: http://www.moreaccidentals.com/
For more information about the NS Cellos Larson plays and the entire family of NS instruments, including our newly released affordable and road worthy WAV Cello Series and the new high-performance Eco-friendly active NXTa’s, visit ThinkNS.com.
Welcome to the third edition of THE LYONN’S ROAR, “Get The Best Tone On Your Electric,” with highlighting iNSights into Choosing an Electric Instrument, Amplification and Effects, and Strings and things by Julie Lyonn Lieberman. Check out this informative article that covers all the bases of Electric String Instruments:
NS Artist Abi Loutoo is a prodigious cellist and multidisciplinary artist. Her performances combine movement and music with an energy that excites the eye, ear and heart.
At only five years old, after piano failed to spark her interest, Abi started playing the cello. Within five years she had played for Robert Cohen and appeared on television with Yo-Yo Ma in a Master Class at the World Cello Congress.
Studying both dance and cello simultaneously gave her unique insight into how each artform complements the other. “I learned how dancers and musicians feel music differently. The beat divisions in music can be perceived as the human heart while the cello is the instrument closest to the human voice.” Her combinations of the two are deeply felt, as is her belief that each discipline depends on the other. “Every dancer should take up an instrument and every musician should go to dance classes—the two need one another to survive.”
The NS Design NXTa Electric Cello is the perfect instrument for Abi to combine her two loves. The NS cello with the Frame Strap System frees the player from the stand or chair. The mobility has allowed Abi to explore the connections between her music and her dance in ways that would be impossible with a traditional cello.
Likewise, the ability to experiment with amps and effects pedals has broadened her artistic horizons. Her rig is simple, a VOX AD30VT and an amp. The versatility and portability of this system mean more opportunities for her career: “I wanted to make myself a part of any type of band in any genre, be able to travel easily without sacrificing sound quality, have a more ergonomic set up, be able to combine movement with playing and last but certainly not least, help protect the environment.”
In much of her work and life, Abi commits to improving the environment. The capacitor system in NS Design’s NXTa Cello gives her the power of an active pickup while eliminating the need for on-board batteries. “NS Design is at the forefront of string instruments. The eco-friendly charge of the NXTa, along with its clear tone and portability, make it a must have.”
As might be expected of such a diverse talent, Abi’s influences span the musical spectrum. “I love playing hip-hop fusion with many different genres—be they electronic, R& B, jazz, soul, hints of classical, or gospel. As long as I am playing music, I’m having fun!”
Now recording and performing under the name “Abi-L-ity”, Abi is currently at work on a new EP. She just finished a project with DWayne Saint Orbin Bennett. She also continues to work closely with band mate Eddy Bayes, and is in collaboration with Joni Fatora, The Gallactic Effect among other artists.
For more information, news and videos of Abi’s work and collaborative efforts, visit her website www.abi-l-ity.com.
Welcome to the second edition of THE LYONN’S ROAR – “String Drumming” filled with iNSights into how to inject fire into your bow by Julie Lyonn Lieberman.
Welcome to the first edition of THE LYONN’S ROAR – “Special Effects” by Julie Lyonn Lieberman. Julie focuses on using effects with electric bowed instruments, including multi-effects processors, and how they can add “spice” to your playing and sound. To see a video demonstration of some of the sounds you can achieve, visit Strings Without Boundaries http://www.stringswithoutboundaries.com/string-resources/string-blog/special-effects.html.
Fiddler Markus Fahrenberger’s effects and tools on the road.
For more information on the full line of NS stringed and bowed instruments, visit www.thinkns.com.
Last week, I had the pleasure of performing with the Intermediate Jazz Ensemble at Interlochen, under the direction of David Kay, on the David Sanborn/Bob James tune, Maputo. The performance was a ball and the reaction to the NS Design CR4 violin in that setting was magnificent.
There were a ton of young violinists in the audience to see the performance and I was particularly pleased that a member of the National Symphony (Washington DC) was there to hear her son perform with the band on trumpet. Following the performance she and many of the students were interested to hear more about the instrument, specifications, the strings (D’Addario NS Design Electric Strings always!), what bow I use (Coda Joule always!), amps, and other details about improvising and performing. The pics tell the story in many ways.
New for 2014, GHS is proud to introduce the Crossovers, strings designed for any bass made to the NS EUB standard, including our own NXT and CR Series of Electric Upright Basses. Nickel-Iron Alloy 52 is wound over a round core wire and then micro-ground for a smooth, upright bass feel. GHS explains that this yields a string with a deep and focused fundamental tone, suitable for those needing both contemporary and traditional sounds.
NS Design founder Ned Steinberger’s early instrument design innovations manifested with his headless Steinberger guitar, and his work is continuing to bring exciting innovations to the market. His latest is the NS Mini Headstock Tuner, manufactured and sold by D’Addario’s Planet Waves division. Small, lightweight, and visually unobtrusive, it received “Best in Show” recognition at the Summer NAMM international trade show in Nashville, TN. The Mini Tuner clips discretely to the headstock of a guitar or bass and senses the instrument’s tone through an ultra-responsive piezo pickup. Ned is currently working on a clamp that will attach it to the body of a violin, ending the struggle many violinists face in attaching guitar tuners to their instruments.
Getting comfortable with your violin is an important for successful practice and performance. The instrument is cradled intimately against the body, yet we are all shaped differently. In response to this ongoing issue, I’ve developed a new shoulder rest that should bring a higher level of comfort and support to many players.
The new “Custom” Shoulder Rest can be formed by the player to fit his or her body shape. Firm foam is backed by a layer of malleable aluminum that can be bent with thumb and forefingers to mold the rest into virtually any shape, as shown in the picture below.
Once the shoulder rest is formed, the shape remains fixed, providing a secure structural platform. It does take a little trial and error to find the ideal shape, but the benefit can be quite dramatic. Through the development process I’ve heard the happy oohs and ahhs from players getting really comfortable for the first time. In combination with the new NS Adjsutable Chin Rest, virtually any body shape and style of play can be accommodated with amazing comfort.
I’m very happy to finally be at the point where these products are available to everyone.
For more information, or to purchase one of the shoulder rests, talk to your NS Dealer, email sales@nedsteinberger.com, or give us a call at 866 NS DESIGN (866 673 3744).
NS Design – presents “Friends of NS Design” – artist workshop with local violinist Ed Howe.
Perhaps you were lucky enough to enjoy Ed Howe’s fantastic fiddling performance at the recent Chocolate Fest benefit for Healthy Kids, or have heard the buzz around his multi-layered solo performance on a Ned Steinberger electric violin.
NS Design is proud to announce a special free concert at Skidompha library featuring Ed Howe and other musicians. NS Design, the company founded by Nobleboro designer and inventor Ned Steinberger, is an industry leader in designing and manufacturing fine Electric String Instruments for the Discriminating Musician. Ed Howe’s iNSpired performance on NS Design’s 5 string electric violin will delight and enlighten every listener with his blend of traditional fiddling and modern electronics and looping devices. Whether you are a violinist, bass player, music teacher, or just love to hear interesting and innovative music played well, this is a great opportunity to experience first hand the incredible possibilities of electric string instruments.
NS Design is proud to feature Ed Howe and other guests demonstrating and speaking about about NS Design’s line of electric string instruments, which will be on display at the concert. Designer Ned Steinberger will answer questions and greet the audience after the performance.
Thursday March 12th, 2009. 5:30 – 6:30pm at the Skidompha Library, 184 Main Street, Damariscotta , ME. Admission is FREE and no reservations are necessary. For more information call 207-563-7705.
If you could take all the energy you use to hold your violin
The clamping screws in the center of each hub can be adjusted to provide the desired amount of friction to insure that the chin rest does not move in use.
Hi all –
