As I'm getting into teaching more, I've been trying to incorporate technology into my practices. I use speakers, iTunes, video practice aids, Google sharing yada yada... But what about the bigger picture? The further we press on into this lifetime, the more unclear the relationship becomes between music and computer technology.
It started with music recordings, even before iTunes. Buying records. Then tapes, then CDs, all the way to iTunes 99 cent songs. Now most pop artists make their money on tour sales and merchandise than actual albums.
So what about us classical musicians? Most of us have never seen the day when Tubby the Tuba was topping the charts for record sales. Many of us only know what records are because of thrift shops. (Isn't there a song about those?)
Will the momentum of the digital age carry us to a place where it's normal for our performances to sound like this? Streaming Internet Used to Play a Duet Between Performers
And if so, what kind of help or harm will this do to our fragile state?
The Metropolitan Opera has already ventured into this virtual world by broadcasting live performances at premiere movie theaters across the country. For a fraction of the cost (approximately $20) and all the latest audio advances at your disposal, you can experience world class art almost at the instant it happens. Educational institutions across the nation are now integrating this idea into their music programs. The University of Arkansas does it for every band concert it puts on.
Of course that brings me back to teaching. More and more people, even ones I know, are exploring the idea of providing private lessons via the internet. It started with Youtube and its seemingly endless database of regular people showing and teaching others how to do things such as cook, change oil in a car, tie a bow tie, etc. But now you can learn how to sing, to play guitar. Even still, with faster internet connections, live lessons over Skype and Google Video Chat are becoming common. There are even specialized websites (here too, and article on subject here) dedicated to the study of instruments with professional musicians as internet teachers. Music programs are suffering all over our Nation's school systems. Reasonably, music could be the next technological frontier. It seems extreme but in many states a student can complete high school courses almost entirely online. Of course, there would have to be real people teaching these courses. But what would the cost for that be? Cheaper labor? Higher quality learning? Less effective teaching?
On the one hand, the accessibility of all this is great. As internet connections move toward a ubiquitous reality, those who may not have geographical access to certain educational opportunities can increase their knowledge.
Music should be enjoyed by everyone. I believe that.
But as this digital force becomes more permanent, what is the trade off? Is the reaction an era of music with a distinct sound created by the lack of human connections? Does it feel colder or less connected?Don't get me wrong, talking with my mom over Skype is great since we live thousands of miles apart. But it's not the same as a hug. This concept is likely true when involving music in many of its facets (teaching, learning, performing). Yet brilliant musicians have seemed to achieve an element of humanity and authenticity using the very thing that simultaneously unites and divides us:
This is the Youtube Symphony's Grand Finale performance. It launched a project in which musicians auditioned by submitting videos. They eventually met in Sydney Australia to perform and rehearse together, lead by one of classical musics well-respected conductors, Michael Tilson Thomas (San Fransisco Symphony).
A more extreme example involves a project called Virtual Choir. It is the brainchild of Eric Whitacre (composer). He uses voices from around the world to create a completely original performance experience. Whitacre combines visual technology with masterful sound mixing with his own compositions.
An extremely, crazy, ridiculous example comes from the Coachella Festival in April 2012. Tupac Shakur, one of raps greatest artists, is resurrected. The hologram was made presumably using samples of the rappers voice but it was also programmed to interact with the other (living) rappers on stage for this "live" performance. The figures spent on this haunting project still remain secret but are estimated in the mid six-figure range:
We have to decide. What does the future sound like?
It started with music recordings, even before iTunes. Buying records. Then tapes, then CDs, all the way to iTunes 99 cent songs. Now most pop artists make their money on tour sales and merchandise than actual albums.
So what about us classical musicians? Most of us have never seen the day when Tubby the Tuba was topping the charts for record sales. Many of us only know what records are because of thrift shops. (Isn't there a song about those?)
Will the momentum of the digital age carry us to a place where it's normal for our performances to sound like this? Streaming Internet Used to Play a Duet Between Performers
And if so, what kind of help or harm will this do to our fragile state?
The Metropolitan Opera has already ventured into this virtual world by broadcasting live performances at premiere movie theaters across the country. For a fraction of the cost (approximately $20) and all the latest audio advances at your disposal, you can experience world class art almost at the instant it happens. Educational institutions across the nation are now integrating this idea into their music programs. The University of Arkansas does it for every band concert it puts on.
Of course that brings me back to teaching. More and more people, even ones I know, are exploring the idea of providing private lessons via the internet. It started with Youtube and its seemingly endless database of regular people showing and teaching others how to do things such as cook, change oil in a car, tie a bow tie, etc. But now you can learn how to sing, to play guitar. Even still, with faster internet connections, live lessons over Skype and Google Video Chat are becoming common. There are even specialized websites (here too, and article on subject here) dedicated to the study of instruments with professional musicians as internet teachers. Music programs are suffering all over our Nation's school systems. Reasonably, music could be the next technological frontier. It seems extreme but in many states a student can complete high school courses almost entirely online. Of course, there would have to be real people teaching these courses. But what would the cost for that be? Cheaper labor? Higher quality learning? Less effective teaching?
On the one hand, the accessibility of all this is great. As internet connections move toward a ubiquitous reality, those who may not have geographical access to certain educational opportunities can increase their knowledge.
Music should be enjoyed by everyone. I believe that.
But as this digital force becomes more permanent, what is the trade off? Is the reaction an era of music with a distinct sound created by the lack of human connections? Does it feel colder or less connected?Don't get me wrong, talking with my mom over Skype is great since we live thousands of miles apart. But it's not the same as a hug. This concept is likely true when involving music in many of its facets (teaching, learning, performing). Yet brilliant musicians have seemed to achieve an element of humanity and authenticity using the very thing that simultaneously unites and divides us:
This is the Youtube Symphony's Grand Finale performance. It launched a project in which musicians auditioned by submitting videos. They eventually met in Sydney Australia to perform and rehearse together, lead by one of classical musics well-respected conductors, Michael Tilson Thomas (San Fransisco Symphony).
A more extreme example involves a project called Virtual Choir. It is the brainchild of Eric Whitacre (composer). He uses voices from around the world to create a completely original performance experience. Whitacre combines visual technology with masterful sound mixing with his own compositions.
We have to decide. What does the future sound like?
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