I found this weeks reading on digital music to be particularly interesting. I have known for some time now that one can input music into a notation program with the use of a MIDI keyboard. However, I was not aware that other types of controllers existed, such as those for string and wind instruments. This is of great interest to me considering that I am primarily a saxophone/woodwind player. This could also prove useful for potential student compositions. For example, if a student has an interest in composition and using a MIDI device but lacks the ability to play the piano, an alternative controller would be appropriate. This could also be useful for a student that is not terribly comfortable with musical notation, as the controller would simply require that they can perform the correct pitches an rhythms (obviously easier said than done). Also, the ability to perform a technically challenging section slowly and then being able to speed it up to the correct tempo without altering pitch or timbre can make composing certain sections much easier.
While I personally do not have any experience using a MIDI controller, I believe that it would make composition a more realistic possibility for music programs. It would allow even young children to at least see how what they play is translated into standard musical notation. For example, a voice controller could be used in an elementary classroom or perhaps a percussion controller. This is useful as it does not require the students to have a more mature and nuanced understanding of musical notation, and it would allow for the chance that students can actual witness difference in pitch as they are playing and how they look on a piece of music.
I was also unaware of the ability to use other controllers to input music notation. I always that music needed to be input either using a MIDI keyboard or a standard keyboard on a computer. These devices not only give students a chance at musical composition but to compose music using their own specific instruments.
ReplyDeleteOne of the points that I brought up in my weekly reflection was the ability for students to be able to playback and make changes to what they play. For example, if a student is creating some kind of a composition, and she didn't like the way a particular section of her composition sounded, she can go back and alter it somewhat easily. These devices give students the vehicle to listen back, critique themselves, and critically think of solutions to fix the issues.
When it comes to composition and creating something new, students tend to get shy if they are not used to improvisation. I feel like this technology could help give students confidence to create something on their own and eventually become comfortable with improvisation in front of a group of musicians.
Hi, and thanks for posting. Yes, such midi controllers exists and that was good to point that out. Some keyboards don't operate well with MIDI, even though they are technically supposed to be MIDI compatible. I have two 88-note controllers, one is a Casio Privia and the other a Korg Triton, and both do well as controllers. However, my Yamaha keyboards (61-note starter boards) don't do well. They send on and off information that can often confuse applications, resulting in inaccurate transcriptions and a lot of extra work on the part of the transcriber.
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