Learning the Game of Thrones theme song on Roli's futuristic Seaboard Rise

Roli's Seaboards are part of a (relatively) new category of musical instruments known as polyphonic multidimensional controllers (PMCs) — instruments like the Eigenharp, Haken Continuum, and Linnstrument that could only really exist in digital form. The Seaboard intentionally looks like a melted, rubberized keyboard, but those keys are intended only as guideposts for traditional piano keys. Pressing anywhere between the keys will produce "in-between" notes. Slide your finger up and down the pad — or dig into a note and wiggle your finger a bit — to create a fluid, undulating sound not possible on traditional keys.

With all that potential comes a pretty big learning curve, as hitting a key a little off can produce unintended, "off-key" sounds. (The sensitivity of Roli's "multidimensionality" can be tweaked in software, up to and including making it as standard as a classic piano.) It's amazing how much you come to appreciate having a margin of error of a few millimeters on standard keys.

That's what makes the Game of Thrones theme a fun challenge for the Seaboard. The main melody is played by a stringed instrument, which allows for stylistic flair, but for the most part the notes are punctuated, which requires extra control here. Embellishment is possible but is best when used only occasionally. It can be frustrating, but the kind of frustrating that feels fun and rewarding when you manage to pull it off.

Photography by James Bareham