On Wed, 8 Mar 2000, Christophe McKeon wrote:
quoted 2 lines Computers have mad thingness. They got more thingness' then anythin.> Computers have mad thingness. They got more thingness' then anythin.
> My question: How is a computer not a musical instrument?
It's all about interfaces. Computers mostly have general interfaces, like
keyboards and mice, that are obviously not designed for music-making. You
can hook up MIDI keyboards and similar, but it's still a very indirect
form of sound generation. Especially when you compare it to the most
primitive (and general) form of music, banging on a piece of wood thereby
making rhythms. Some electronic music equipment (MPC3000, BOSS pedals :))
actually has that kind of directness in creation, computers have not
(unless you make music by banging them on the hood, or similar). You're
right that computers can be musical instruments, but I think all that
pointing and clicking is frustrating... And, I think other people share
that view too... I believe that Brian Eno said the following about
computers as a musical instrument, "too little Africa", and generally, I
agree on this. IMO, nothing's a bigger musical turn-off than pissing
around with mice too much... But I'll change my mind the moment Logic
comes with touchscreen or Nintendo lightgun support... :)
/johan
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