Page 204 - @ccess 3 Teacher´s Book

Eric: Well, we have a lot of information about whether is present in most aspects of our lives, it is going to be
or not computers are musical instruments. I don’t think present in music, as well.
we need any more. The interview with Robert D. James Pablo: That may be true, but I believe these “musicians”
provides a thorough explanation about how he makes are cheating, as they use the computer to copy sounds.
his music. Bottom line: he wouldn’t be able to make it Paula: Quite the opposite. They are making much more.
without his computer, and even his child makes music As a person on an online forum said, “Computer-based
that way. sound is so versatile nowadays; it can produce as many
David: OK, what about the quality factor? Does subtle nuances as a competent performer could want.”
computer music have the same quality as music made Moderator: OK, OK. Can you provide examples of the
with traditional instruments? work electronic musicians are doing right now?
Paula: We may need a bit more about this issue, as most María: Of course! There is a DJ called Robert D.
of our ideas come from online forums. James who is working with robots that play traditional
María: Yes, I feel the same way. The forums are great instruments and he records them. In an interview with
because they allowed us to understand what the Pitchfork, the magazine, he stated that he has been
discussion was about, but they are mainly opinions on doing electro-mechanical music with drum robots. He
the subject and not real evidence. also records the sounds made with MIDI pipe organs,
Eric: OK, then let’s do some more research on this. a Disklavier-controlled piano and computer-controlled
However, some answers on the forums provide quite percussion.
compelling arguments. Moderator: What do you think about this?
David: Yes, they sure do, but we should read a bit more Clara: I didn’t know all of the work involved in making
about digital music production. music this way. I thought it was just an amateur job.
Paula: What about the last issue? However, you must admit that not everyone can make
María: I think we’re good. Let’s focus on the second one. good music.
David: Oh, I completely agree. Good music is good
Track 63 (Practice 9, Activity 20) music, no matter where it comes from.
Paula: Indeed! The result depends on the skills of the
Paula: I think we should reorganize the information person making the music. It doesn’t matter if he uses a
we’re going to use in our arguments. traditional instrument, a computer, or both.
María: Yes, you’re right. We should leave “Music Pablo: That is just what I think.
has evolved over time…” where it is. It highlights
the evolution of music and the fact that it has been Track 65 (Practice 9, Activity 29)
happening since we started making music.
David: OK. Then we can continue with “Electronic Moderator: Good morning, ladies and gentlemen.
musicians create music…”, as it links the changes We are here today to discuss if computer-made music
in music and how new musicians still use theory can provoke the same feelings as music made with
developed in the classical world. traditional instruments. We will start with the first issue
Paula: I agree. Then we can include the case of Robert of the debate: Are computers musical instruments?
D. James and his work with robots. That could be an What your position on this, María?
example of what we stated before. María: I believe they are. We can all agree with the fact
María: All right. Then we can talk about “Computer- that music has been evolving and if technology
based sound is so versatile nowadays…” and finish with is present in most aspects of our lives, it is going to be
the fact that “Music is not created by computers…” but present in music, as well. Therefore, computers can be
by musicians manipulating the computer. I believe this is used as musical instruments if people are manipulating
a compelling argument. them to make sound for a musical purpose.
Eric: Indeed! So, with this we’ll be able to elaborate David: Exactly! The computer doesn’t replace
on the humanity of computer-made music, since it is a traditional instruments; it’s a new expressive tool in and
person who is composing it. of itself. It depends on the skills of the person behind
David: I agree. This new order highlights the fact that the device.
the computer compliments music in general and does Moderator: What do you think, Pablo?
not compete with traditional instruments. Pablo: I believe these “musicians” are cheating, as they
use the computer to copy sounds. The vocals in pop
Track 64 (Practice 9, Activity 28) music are so computer-manipulated and altered that the
voice loses its humanity. It sounds totally fake!
Moderator: Are computers musical instruments? Moderator: I think those comments take us to the
Eric: Yes, because people can create good music second issue of this morning: Does computer music
with them. I reckon that manipulating a device to have the same quality as the music made with traditional
make sound for a musical purpose makes it a musical instruments? Paula, what can you respond to this “fake
instrument; computers can be musical instruments, too. sound” Pablo mentioned?
David: Exactly! Besides, we can all agree with the fact Paula: It sounds fake because musicians are
that music has been evolving, because if technology exaggerating the production. Very few people can
tell the difference between a recorded traditional

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