Roli is no stranger to exotic instruments. After all, this pioneered the idea of a “soft” MIDI controller. But the company’s latest tool may be its strangest yet. Roli Airwave is an AI-infused piano teaching gadget that doubles as a digital theremin. Yes, it’s the same high-pitched theremin found on hit records like The Beach Boys’ “Good Vibrations” and Erykah Badu’s “Incense.”
Airwave is basically a tall stand with a camera on top. This camera points downward and tracks the movement of the player’s fingers on the connected MIDI keyboard. Movements are tracked in real time and sent to the tablet, where visuals are displayed to teach the user how to play the song correctly and correct mistakes. I also try to correct bad playing posture.
Airwave uses machine intelligence and computer vision to track players’ hands and provide advice on where to place them. The system incorporates machine learning as it analyzes live footage to devise accurate teaching methods.
The companion app also integrates with ChatGPT, allowing for natural language queries. For example, users can ask related questions about the song they’re learning or general questions about music theory. Similar to when a player’s hands are occupied during a piano tutorial, these questions can be asked by voice instead of typing on a virtual keyboard. It’s not as good as interacting with a real piano teacher, but it’s probably easier than looking for a needle in a haystack of YouTube videos.
“Basically, when you practice, you practice 100% correctly,” Roli CEO Roland Lamb told Wired. “So over time you’ll develop good habits.”
Airwave isn’t just for students. The device is also marketed as a means of experimental music production. There are five inputs that adjust various parameters through hand movements. This means that players can use it to radically change the sound of the instrument they are playing.
“Creators can simply raise their hands and, like a conductor, turn a piano into a full orchestra, or turn a mellow synth pad into a searing lead with a tilt of the wrist,” says Lori. It’s written in a press release.
Next, we will explain the precautions. There are several. This is great technology, no doubt about it. However, there are significant barriers to entry. First, the Airwave itself will cost $300 when it launches in February. The device cannot be used alone. This requires an existing Roli keyboard, such as the $1,400 Seaboard Rise 2 or the much cheaper Lumi (now called Piano M). Additionally, users must bring their own tablets to access the educational tools. There is an app for both Android and Apple devices, but only the new iPad and Samsung Galaxy Tab models are supported.
Finally, budding piano players must also pay $15 a month to access the Roli Learn music education subscription service. If money isn’t an issue, this seems like a pretty novel way to learn piano.
Roli said Airwave is just the first release of what the company calls its Music Intelligence (MI) platform. “The Roli MI platform will be the foundation of our future intelligent product roadmap starting with Airwave,” the company wrote. Pre-orders for Airwave are currently being accepted.
