The Morpheus

Named for the ancient Greek god of dreams, the Morpheus is designed to provide the ultimate in flexibility. Each tone is its own unit, meaning that individual notes can be removed from the large scale pattern and rearranged into smaller subgroups. Chords, modes and pentatonic scales can be extracted from the diatonic or chromatic instrument frames.

Pictured is the Chromatic version of the Morpheus. There are two frames that comprise the structure of the instrument which holds the chromatic scale in the traditional keyboard arrangement typical of standard xylophones. The compass of this version is from A below middle C to E two and one half octaves higher. The 'naturals' (A minor/C major diatonic scale) are on the lower frame, while the 'sharps' are contained on a separate upper frame which fits onto the lower frame to function like a standard chromatic instrument. When moving the instrument from place to place these frames come apart easily.

This instrument is quite portable and is a favorite of composers, sound researchers and therapists and performers who desire the flexibility of rearranging the individual tones of the chromatic scale into smaller patterns for particular use. To make these smaller tone groupings easily playable we have built a channel rack into which the tones can be fitted side by side. Channel racks are available with any number of channels you wish to specify. They can even be made to fit together on two levels like the chromatic frame if desired.

The bars of this instrument are 1 1/4 inches wide by 1/4 inch thick aluminum and the resonators are 1 1/2 inch square custom extruded ABS plastic. This more massive bar and larger diameter resonator produce a more powerful tone than our other instruments in this pitch range, making the Morpheus the flagship of the Freenotes line. But it is the separability of the tones that truly gives this instrument its unique possibilities. If you are intrigued by tonal relationships and the exploration of melodic possibilities that can be revealed by altering the arrangements of tones, then Morpheus may be the instrument for you.

In addition to the large Chromatic instrument shown, the Morpheus is available in diatonic or pentatonic versions. Please call or email us with your particular requirements. Individual Bass and Contrabass tone units can be added to the Morpheus. These require wider bars and larger resonators, but they can be constructed to extend the range of the instrument downwards two additional octaves if desired. The Future Developments video can be referenced if you are interested in this feature.

Morpheus: Price dependent on requirements