Editor’s note: I asked Dream Theater keyboardist Jordan Rudess to share his thoughts on some of the latest and greatest alternatives to the traditional piano keyboard when it comes to musical and timbral expression and control. AS is Jordan’s wont, he sent me a detailed and well considered missive, which was distilled into the article “The Fretless Keyboard” in our June 2015 issue. As Jordan and I wanted to share it with you in its entirety, here is his original manuscript, only lightly edited. --Stephen Fortner

Seemingly everything is USB-powered these days, including electronic music gear such as the Akai MPX16, Novation MiniNova/UltraNova/Bass Station II, Roland TB-3, and Waldorf Rocket. Sure, you can run them off a laptop or smartphone charger, but a hefty USB battery may work as well.

"I’d heard Jimmy Smith records before, but never saw or played the instrument itself until my father brought an organ home..."