History of the Sonome

1983

Pattern of 'Melodic Table' discovered and researched by Peter Davies.

1990

International Patents applied for. PD designs, produces and markets the music slide rule 'Note Tracker', based on the Melodic Table. Launched at the Guitarist Show and later marketed and distributed by Brazenrock.

1991

First sonome prototype, the 91 note 'Notepool', built with electronics and software by Brian Heywood and Eric North.

100% positive reviews of Note Tracker from the music press.

1992

Andrew W.Llewellyn buys into patents.

1994

'Notepool' prototype shown to artists inc. Brian May, who plays and experiments with it in his studio.

1997

Nik Love builds second working prototype, 'The Tap' with 156 keys, electronics and software by Steve Simpson. Shown to artists inc. Warren Cuccurullo (Frank Zappa, Duran Duran). Manufacturing enquiries are received.

1998

PD demo's 'The Tap' to the Drake Project for Disabled Musicians (Greenwich, London). Interested parties await production instruments.

1999

Phoenix Audio enlisted by AWL to build third prototype, the 'M-Box'.

2002

Electronics engineer Graham Hinton enlisted to re-design non-functional 'M Box' and a fourth prototype is built.

2003-4

Jim Wills and PD design & build first limited edition timber-case sonome, serial no. 000, fore-runner to 'Opal Chameleon' model.

2004-5

AWL as C-Thru Music enlists Minima to build fifth prototype, 'Axis'.

2006

Demo on UK TV show bungled by technician unplugging speaker for line to mixing desk. You heard it, we didn't! Can anyone play an instrument without hearing it?

Second timber-case 'Chameleon' serial no. 001 purchased from PD by Warren Cuccurullo, hand-built to order.

2007

C-Thru Music unveils 'Axis' at the NAMM show.

www.theshapeofmusic.com offers limited edition Opal 'Chameleon' & 'Gecko'.

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