It dawned on me while reading Sequence-stration that sequencing softward can function as an inexpensive Disklavier, especially when used with the humanizing feature. A Disklavier is essentially a player-piano that can be used to record a live pianist or play inputed MIDI data. This pricey instrument is useful for practicing with an accompaniment that is tailored to the soloist's musicianship. After becoming aware of the humanizing feature in this article, I believe a collegiate music school maybe be able to rethink such an investment if students were well-trained in this technology.
Both articles provide many tips for the classroom music teacher that may be easily incorporated. Watson suggests experimenting with timbral alchemy, an activity that is both engaging for students and worthwhile in order to acquire complex sounds when creating new tracks. Kersten provides a substantial resource list filled with model teacher websites and MIDI files. For me, the most inspiring idea of these articles is found in Kersten's work. Using the accompaniments designed by the sequencing software, a student (or teacher!) is able to practice improvisation on their instrument. Personally, and I believe generally, there is a fear of improvising in public. This fear may be lessened with the type of practice sequencing software can provide and I plan to use this idea with my students in the future.
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MIDI technologies can be put to use in many ways beneficial to students. Your statements about a Disklavier are interesting. The place where I've seen this used most often is in restaurants and other public places where piano background music is desired. The Disklavier is really the present version of the player piano. Certainly you can simulate some of what it makes possible through other (less expensive) MIDI technologies.
ReplyDeleteWe used a disklavier at PSU with our accompanists. They would record with us so we would be able to practice without their everyday physical presence, so for me I think of the instrument in this context.
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