Band Nerds Rejoice – eReader Technology Is Coming To Sheet Music
Despite what your old music teachers may say, there actually is a better alternative to sheet music. No more noisily turning pages, losing important scores, or having sheets blown away – Japanese company Terrada Music Score Co. is bringing the convenience of eReaders to the modern musician.
Their device, called the Gvido Tokyo, is designed to be a modern electronic alternative to traditional sheet music. Essentially a giant ebook – think of the Amazon Kindle – the device hosts two 13-inch screens that can be paired with digital touch pens. It’s got 8GB of on-board memory as well as Bluetooth and Wi-fi connectivity, so you can write notes on music manuscript that are saved for another time. Plus, sensors on the side let you touch the device to change pages or you can pair an optional Bluetooth foot pedal to take care of page-turning with your toes.
Other features of the Gvido Tokyo include a built-in setlist mode, so you can arrange your PDFs into a custom playlist that automatically switches from the end of one song to the beginning of the next – perfect for orchestral performances. The low-power, soft-light display also means that the gadget can last several day’s worth of rehearsals between charges – and shouldn’t disturb your stand-mate in the meantime.
The Gvido Tokyo is set for a late September 2017 release, with more information and eventual orders available on their website. The only catch? It’s expected to retail at about $1600 USD, so this manuscript alternative might be reserved for more serious musicians for now.
