[NewMusic] acoustic vs. electronic

[Barry Threw]

Please don't say things like "would *we* be obsolete", I really don't 
want to have been marked with saying that, because it would be very 
arrogant and not what I intended.  No one here, regardless of 
instrument, or method, or music will ever be obsolete.  People don't 
become obsolete, technology does.  Using obsolete technology does not 
make you, or your art, obsolete.

I did not mean to imply that the future progression of musical 
instrument technology makes what anyone is doing now in any way invalid 
or not worth doing.  It may even make it more worth doing.

I don't see technology as the only musical progression.  This is pretty 
clearly not true.  However, I think that technology has historically be 
a very large motivator in musical progression.  It still is today. 
However its not like we are trying to win a race, ...we all make the 
music we make, and thats just fine.  I just gave some thoughts on the 
way I see things moving.

I agree with all the examples you gave as being both viable  and 
interesting.   These all fit in line with what I meant by saying that 
our current instruments will evolve...  Do I think people will stop 
thinking about acoustic instruments?  Eventually, yes and no.  I think 
the technology will become ingrained and seamless, and it won't seem 
like such a far leap like it does now.  Only time will tell what tools 
the musicians of the future will use.

The subject of this post is acoustic vs. electric.  Rather than 
furthering this divide what I wanted (but failed) to do was point out 
that these two will merge to create new instruments that none of us have 
envisioned, so that this question will largely cease to be meaningful.

Those out there that are not that fond of electronically made music, 
what are your criticisms?


Phillip Greenlief wrote:
> ----Original Message-----
> On Behalf Of Barry Threw
> Subject: Re: [NewMusic] acoustic vs. electronic
> 
> I calls 'em how I sees 'em.
> 
> If I were to pick one of these two options:
> 
> a) Our current technology will stay the same.
> b) Our current technology will evolve.
> 
> I think b is a pretty easy call.  There isn't really any item in the 
> world I know of that I see and couldn't think of a way to make it
> better.
> 
> b
> 
> 
> PG:
> It's interesting that you only see the "evolution" of music occurring in
> the realm of technology; as if acoustic instruments were
> finished...they've reached the end of the line of evolution.
> 
> What if a new metal is discovered that totally revolutionizes the
> trumpet? (Jeff Kaiser actually picked up a quarter-tone trumpet not long
> ago - that's some pretty dope shit coming out of that horn...)
> 
> What if newly designed mouthpieces were suddenly able to allow
> saxophonists to be able to play multiple frequencies? (way beyond the
> capability of the "standard" multi-phonics)
> 
> What if someone figured out that if you place this specially designed
> wire system inside a flute, it changes the overtone series in a way that
> allows for microtonal pitches?
> 
> Would we still be obsolete?
> 
> Do you really think people are just going to stop thinking about
> acoustic instruments because technology is just too damned irresistible?
> 
> _______________________________________________
> Bay Area New Music Discussion Group
> NewMusic at music.mills.edu
> http://music.mills.edu/mailman/listinfo/newmusic
> 

-- 
barry threw
composition : sound : programming
http://www.barrythrew.com
bthrew(at)gmail(dot)com
857-544-3967

(if you would see the stars clearly,
look hard at the surrounding darkness)
		-Ooka Makoto