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.
String instrument project: Jackie Mackay contributes 5 string bass, re-fretted by PD to Melodic Table layout. Video recorded by Jackie showing demo of modified bass played by New York based independent recording artist, songwriter and musician Fionn O'Lochlainn.
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?
First sonome sold; 2nd prototype of Chameleon model purchased by guitarist Warren Cuccurullo. Prototype Gecko models built & tested.
2007
C-Thru Music unveils 'Axis' at the NAMM show.
www.theshapeofmusic.com offers limited edition Opal 'Chameleon' & 'Gecko'.
2008
On-going product research and development.
2009
Opal models Chameleon & Gecko in production and available to order.
