The Future of Music is Now: Tenori-On On and On

The Tenori-On is a revolutionary digital musical instrument developed by media artist Toshio Iwai and Yahama. It was introduced to the U.S. market in April 2008.

The intriguing handheld device is sort of a Lite Brite for music, with 256 LED push-buttons for sequencing music and adjusting tones. A short tap creates a ripple of light; while a more prolonged push results in a dot of light that remains on the panel, indicating that the sound will be played repeatedly or looped.

Watch musicians play with the addictive device on the Tenori-On YouTube Channel. Musicians seem to be able to grasp the relationship between the sounds and switches pretty quickly, and start improvising almost instantly.

Buy it here.

A cover of Hot Chip's hit "Ready for the Floor" on the Yamaha Tenori-On by my latest obsession, Little Boots.

DJmag's Marc '01' on the Yamaha Tenori-On

Be forewarned, if you don't have the chops. You could end up like Ross from Friends.

In case you were wondering what the post's title was referring to ...