Monday, April 9, 2012

Rhymes of History Technology

The anonymous saying, “The future will be like the past, only with cooler toys”, is indeed true of the way people communicate with each other. The mode of communication differs, but can be simultaneously similar. People communicate regularly through the ‘spoken word’, but there are times when words are not use for communication; music does. This music communication ranges from voice melody to musical accompaniment and to instrumentals. The instruments used to make music dates back to the year 4000 BC when harps and flutes were played in Egypt. Since then, thousands of years have elapsed before these instruments and others have been rekindled or retrieved by the modern technology of musical instruments that does not require the use of these instruments to play.

Musical Instruments (Obsolete)

As the 20th century ended, with the dawn of the 21st century, listening to music required the use of physical instruments played live or recorded. Each musical instrument has its unique sound, and no two instruments would sound alike, even if they look alike. For example, the guitar may be classified as a family member to the banjo, but they are two different instruments that radiate different sounds.
Guitar
Banjo

When musical instruments come together, they make melody; but each instrument has to be played by a distinct individual. Occasionally, one individual may play more than one instrument simultaneously, but this is rare.



Single Musical Instrument (Emerging Technology)

With the advent of modern technology, the need for several different musical instruments became unnecessary as the music became digital in nature. Digital music requires the use of software, so music technology software became part of the current music industry. A band with players of different musical instruments is no longer necessary, as the software with the sound of musical instrument rekindles or retrieves this band. Training to play a musical instrument is no longer necessary to learn music; one can be trained face-to-face or online, as is the case of Dubspot.



Conclusion

Finally, the history of modern music and technology has a place in the emergent of technology, as I end where I started with the anonymous quote that said, “The future will be like the past, only with cooler toys”.



Reference

Classicalworks.com (n. d.). Music History Timeline – Early Music. Retrieved from http://www.classicalworks.com/his.pages/early.his.htm

Dubspot: Ableton Certified Training Center. Retrieved from http://www.dubspot.com/

Electronic music http://howtomakeelectronicmusic.com/how-to-make-electronic-music-with-computer-where-to-start

History of Technology and Music. Retrieved from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qYcWotMzBmE

The Future of Musical Instruments. Retrieved from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mi9ZikB_BUA&feature=bf_prev&list=PL754924F63C40B76F&lf=results_video

WIEN - Vienna Historical Music Instruments Exhibition (TRY). Retrieved from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QeN9P6-IbrI
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6 comments:

  1. Kevin M. SteeleApril 14, 2012 at 6:41 PM

    Milton,

    Great link to the rhymes of history. The idea of music technology was one that I had not considered. We have come so far with the sharing of music. It was not far back in history, as you mentioned, that music could only be shared live until the advent of recording devices like the phonograph. Then we moved into physical media. Now...I don't even use any physical media, I simply download it to all my devices at the same time. The only physical piece that I need is the player.

    Great post!

    Thanks,
    Kevin

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    Replies
    1. bruce2April 15, 2012 at 5:57 AM

      Kevin,

      Thanks for reading and for the positive reinforcement. can you imagine a world without music? We think that people are miserable now; without music there would probably be more misery in life. An anonymous person once said "Music is the food for the soul". We can't live without a soul, can we?

      Delete
  2. Temeka ShinglesApril 14, 2012 at 9:39 PM

    Milton,

    I think that your quote “The future will be like the past, only with cooler toys” sums up rhymes in history to a totality. When we think of progression in this day and age, we usually think of modification; how to make things better. As I think about where tecnology has taken us today, I now am more apt to think about the connection that the past has provided us with.

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  3. bruce2April 15, 2012 at 6:04 AM

    Tameka,

    Thanks for reading, but that quote isn't mine. Dr. Thornburg used it as an anonymous quote in the assignment. Technology seems to be the link, not just between the future and the past, but between us, human beings, and the things we work with. Whether the technology is low tech (like the chalkboard and the chalk) or high tech (like the smartboard), we use technology everyday in our lives and we can't survive without it. Can you imagine the world without these two types of technology?

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  4. UnknownApril 15, 2012 at 7:11 PM

    Milton,

    Great links and what an interesting concept. I am a music lover and so I think the idea that new musical technologies can replace a band seems to cheapen the musical creativity and the discipline to learn how to play or sing music is sad, even tragic in a sense. However music and musicianship have always been a part of the human existence and will always be a part of it in one way or another.

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    Replies
    1. bruce2April 16, 2012 at 2:23 AM

      Micah,

      Thanks for reading my post. I agree with you, musical technologies have indeed prevented the ability to play an instrument. Technology is good but it can be disastrous.

      As I write this reply to you, I am thinking of several other things that technology is affecting, which may be negative. Take for instance penmanship. The keyboard has been replacing handwriting for a long time, now. That may not be a good thing. What do you think?

      Delete

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