The computer as instrument, was Re: [linux-audio-user] Bainstorming! Drawing in non-musician developers

[Dave Phillips]

Dave Griffiths wrote:

>>Frank Barknecht wrote:
>>
>>    
>>
>>>>... I hope someday people will
>>>>be playing computers like people play guitars today. It's a lot of fun
>>>>to code, but it would be even more fun if it wouldn't eat into the time
>>>>I have available for producing music so much.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>        
>>>>
>>>But coding *is* playing the computer like people play the guitar!
>>>
>>>      
>>>
>>Careful, Frank, there are a few of us here who do both. :)  I
>>respectfully disagree with your statement, though I agree with its intent.
>>
>>Playing any instrument requires years of physical engagement to form a
>>playing technique. I'll certainly agree that using a computer also
>>requires years of effort to master, but that mastery is not based on an
>>analogous "playing technique".
>>    
>>
>
>Hi Dave, I think I have to respectfully disagree with your disagreement :)
>this is something which is under debate, at least in some circles:
>http://www.informatics.sussex.ac.uk/events/ppig2005/papers/Blackwell.pdf
>
>I think distinctions here are a little silly though, as I've seen people
>dance to music that is created by writing code live, and they don't seem
>to care much whether it counts as music making or programming :)
>
>It's just (yet) another way to think about computers and music.
>
>I agree with everything else you are saying though :)
>
Hi Dave:

I think I'll eat my statement re: "analogous playing technique". If the 
computer is any sort of instrument (of the mind or otherwise), then a 
playing technique must evolve. Perhaps the distinctions are difficult to 
confirm because we're at such an early stage with the instrument and its 
possible playing techniques ? Seems funny to say that, given the 
machine's long visibility as a music-making device, but some of our more 
familiar and typical instruments have been in development for centuries, 
and their own techniques are still evolving (I hope).

Best,

dp